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Ornette Coleman & bassist Scott LaFaro , 1960

photos: Jim Marshall

Bill Evans - My Foolish Heart (1964)

My Foolish Heart - Bill Evans (piano), Scott LaFaro (bass), Paul Motian (drums)

Recorded in 1964, “My Foolish Heart” captures the Bill Evans Trio in a reflective, understated mood. The tune was written by Victor Young, with lyrics by Ned Washington, originally for the 1949 film of the same name. In Evans’ hands, the song is treated with patience and restraint, allowing its harmonic depth and emotional weight to emerge naturally, without excess.

What stands out most is Scott LaFaro and his remarkably modern approach to the bass. Rather than simply outlining the harmony, LaFaro plays as an equal melodic voice, responding to Evans phrase by phrase. His lines are fluid, interactive, and deeply musical, helping to redefine the role of the bass in the piano trio setting. The result is a performance that feels conversational and alive, built on listening as much as playing.

“My Foolish Heart” here is a reminder of how quietly radical this trio was — not through virtuosity alone, but through subtlety, trust, and an uncommon sense of musical balance.

And as it ends up, Bill played in a number of trios, but this one in particular stands out (for me) as the classic and “Bill” in his best element.

#youtube #music #jazz #bill evans #my foolish heart #piano #scott lafaro #paul motian

Scott LaFaro vor 1961, Aquarell 95lbs 40x30cm

#bernd blacha #watercolour art #aquarell #Scott LaFaro

me listening to anything by the bill evans trio with scott lafaro

#musicposting #bill evans trio #bill evans #scott lafaro #honestly just listening to sunday at the village vanguard got me feeling like this

Album · 2025 · 43 Songs

Your new-release brilliance for the day. All the Riverside studio recordings by Bill Evans’ classic trio, comprising him, Paul Motian, and Scott LaFaro.

Headphones recommended, as LaFaro’s storied bass is squarely in the right channel. One of the marvels of jazz is the interplay between Evans and LaFaro, and this is that jewel in a fine setting. Evans’ inimitable touch and melodicism enhanced and prodded by LaFaro’s countermelodic support, sometimes full, sometimes spare.

LaFaro’s tragic death at 25 devastated Evans, causing him to stop playing the piano for half a year. According to Gene Lees, “The shock of LaFaro's death stayed with Bill for years, and he felt vaguely guilty about it...He felt that because of his heroin habit he had made insufficient use of [their] time together...After LaFaro's death, Bill was like a man with a lost love, always looking to find its replacement.”

Great profile of the bassist here, from which the preceding quote is drawn: