Bill Evans' Emily: A Closer Look at the Harmony

When it comes to jazz piano, few musicians have left as lasting an impact as Bill Evans. His unique style and approach to harmony continue to influence pianists to this day. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Evans' version of 'Emily,' a beautiful and complex tune that showcases his mastery of harmonic analysis.

The first thing that stands out about Evans' arrangement is the use of secondary dominant passing chords in his solos. These chords add a level of sophistication and depth to the music, creating a sense of tension and release that keeps listeners engaged. In particular, the use of G7alt and E-7/E7alt in the first two bars of the A Section creates a sense of harmonic motion that propels the music forward.

Another key element of Evans' arrangement is his use of common substitutions in the D Section. The IVm chord that appears in the second bar of the D Section creates a sense of minor plagal cadence, similar to a backdoor cadence. This adds a level of complexity and interest to the harmony, making it more challenging for listeners to follow.

The modulation at the end of A2 is also worth noting. Instead of using a regular V7/VI chord to modulate to the relative minor, Evans uses the 'backdoor' F7 (bVII7) as a pivot chord. This creates a sense of harmonic surprise and adds an extra layer of complexity to the music.

The C Section is notable for its use of pullbacks, which create a sense of tension and release that keeps listeners engaged. The underlying harmony is pretty straightforward, but Evans' use of approach chords and secondary dominants adds a level of sophistication and interest to the music.

One thing that's worth noting about Evans' arrangement is that he doesn't use all of these harmonic devices every chorus. Instead, he mixes and matches them in different ways to create a sense of variety and surprise. This makes the music more engaging and challenging for listeners, and showcases his mastery of harmonic analysis.

In conclusion, Bill Evans' version of 'Emily' is a masterclass in harmonic analysis and piano playing. His use of secondary dominant passing chords, common substitutions, and approach chords creates a sense of complexity and interest that keeps listeners engaged. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting to explore jazz piano, this arrangement is definitely worth checking out.

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