Recorded live at Sweet Basil, one of New York City’s legendary jazz haunts, 'Bud And Bird' captures Gil Evans—one of jazz’s most inventive arrangers—at the helm of his Monday Night Orchestra. By the late 1980s, Evans had become a magnet for forward-thinking musicians, and these sessions pulse with his signature adventurous spirit. The album stands as a testament to Evans’ willingness to subvert, stretch, and reimagine jazz big band traditions. Here, the ensemble swings through intricate arrangements of works by Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk, balancing reverence for the past with bold, contemporary flourishes. The band features a roster of stellar talent, each musician given space to stretch out and interact within Evans’ lush, unpredictable soundscapes. 'Bud And Bird' is not just a live recording—it’s a document of a living, breathing experiment in jazz, led by a master who never stopped searching for new colors and forms. For collectors and listeners who crave both the historical weight and the thrill of boundary-pushing improvisation, this album is a rare and electrifying listen.
Track List:
A1 - Bud And Bird - 8:48
A2 - Half Man, Half Cookie - 10:27
B - Gates-Illuminations - 17:40
C1 - Nicaragua Blues - 7:44
C2 - Cosmos - 11:00
D - Groove From The Louvre - 21:51