Quintessence is an album by American jazz pianist Bill Evans. It was recorded in 1976 for Fantasy Records and released the following year. At this time usually playing solo or with his trio, for these sessions Evans was the leader of an all-star quintet featuring Harold Land on tenor saxophone, guitarist Kenny Burrell, Ray Brown on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums.

Quintessence
Studio album by Bill Evans
Released	August–September 1977
Recorded	May 27–30, 1976
Studio	Fantasy Studios, Berkeley
Genre	Jazz, post-bop, cool jazz
Length	42:56 (reissue)
Label	Fantasy F-9529 CD: Original Jazz Classics OJCCD 698-2
Producer	Helen Keane
Bill Evans chronology
On Green Dolphin Street (1977) Quintessence (1977) Crosscurrents (1978)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[3]

Writing for AllMusic, music critic Scott Yanow called the album "a nice change of pace".[1]

Track listing

1. "Sweet Dulcinea Blue" (Kenny Wheeler) – 6:02
2. "Martina" (Michel Legrand, Eddy Marnay, Hal Shaper) – 8:12
3. "Second Time Around" (Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn) – 3:41
4. "A Child Is Born" (Thad Jones, Alec Wilder) – 7:30
5. "Bass Face" (Kenny Burrell) – 10:04

CD reissue bonus track:

Personnel

• Bill Evans – piano
• Harold Land – tenor saxophone
• Kenny Burrell – guitar
• Ray Brown – bass
• Philly Joe Jones – drums

Technical personnel

• Helen Keane – producer
• Phil Kaffel – engineer
• Phil DeLancie – remastering
• Galen Rowell – cover photo
• Phil Bray – booklet photos

Chart positions

References

External links

• The Bill Evans Memorial Library
• Jazz Discography