Chris Albertson says in the liner notes: “In 1956, when guitarist Mundell Lowe recommended Bill Evans to Riverside , neither had yet made an impact on jazz, but that would soon change. Bill had been on the scene for a few years and played with some impressive musicians, but he was still largely unknown; Riverside was a fledgling, barely three-years-old label running on little more than its founders' love for the music, which was huge, though somewhat retro. That, too, would change.” The pianist went on to record for Riverside until 1963, making a name for himself and the label (the label issued a comprehensive 12-CD overview was released several years ago). This 10-song collection compiles Evans' top-tier work for Riverside, including such classics as “Waltz for Debby” and the pianist's version of “Blue in Green,” which he also famously recorded on Kind of Blue, Miles Davis’s masterwork.

BONUS DISC [Included in ALL listed titles] 1. Bobby Timmons - Dat Dere (5:22) 2. Wes Montgomery - Airegin (4:25) 3. Chet Baker - Soft Winds (6:26) 4. Bill Evans Trio - My Foolish Heart (4:56) 5. Charlie Byrd - Desafinado (2:29) 6. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Thermo (6:46) 7. Thelonious Monk - Bemsha Swing (7:42) 8. The Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Bohemia After Dark (7:34)