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It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes.

Jeez, what's the big deal?

I didn't read that interview (or blind test, if that's what it was), but if Metheny/Meldau merely stated that Evans wasn't a major influence for them - as opposed to actually dissing his contribution to jazz - then I don't see what the big deal is.

Miles absolutely ripped Freddie Hubbard several times in interviews. Lester Bowie wasted Herbie Hancock in an interview. One of my major influences was Jackie Mac, but several excellent musicians I know don't dig him at all, and certainly weren't influenced by him. I wouldn't expect Kenny Garrtett to site Dolphy as a major influence, nor do I detect much 'Trane influence in Turrentine's playing.

I don't happen to be much of a Metheny or Meldau fan, and at least so far I don't believe they will ever approach the import of Evans. I think sometimes people - including musicians - kind of forget that Evans, along with his trio mates, had a great influence on trio playing and rhythm section interplay, not just piano playing. Whether Meldau and Metheny realize it or not they've likely been affected by that, even if its through some other jazzer who was influenced by Evans. But usually when asked, musicians site people who've had a direct influence on their instrumental style as major influences. There's really no reason to expect every jazz piano player to site Evans as a major influence. Andrew Hill is mentioned below. Anybody hear much Evans influence in his *piano playing*, or Tyner's, or Chick's?



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