The Ivory Hunters (subtitled Double Barrelled Piano) is an album by jazz pianists Bill Evans and Bob Brookmeyer, originally released on the United Artists label, featuring Evans and Brookmeyer with Percy Heath, and Connie Kay, recorded in 1959.[2]

The Ivory Hunters
Studio album by Bill Evans & Bob Brookmeyer
Released	End of September 1959[1]
Recorded	March 12, 1959
Studio	Olmsted Sound Studios, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	42:34
Label	United Artists
Bill Evans chronology
Green Dolphin Street (1959) The Ivory Hunters (1959) Portrait in Jazz (1959)
Bob Brookmeyer chronology
Stretching Out (1958) The Ivory Hunters (1959) Portrait of the Artist (1960)

Brookmeyer was known primarily as a trombonist who occasionally doubled on piano; this was his only album playing piano exclusively.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Michael G. Nastos states: "Pairing a rising superstar of modern jazz with a gentleman known for playing valve trombone and arranging charts might have been deemed by some as a daunting task. Fortunately for the keyboardists, this was a good idea and a marvelous concept, where the two could use the concept of counterpoint and improvisation to an enjoyable means, much like a great chess match. For the listener, you are easily able to hear the difference between ostensible leader Evans in the right channel of the stereo separation, and the accompanist Brookmeyer in the left... Some have called this an effort based more on gimmick and showmanship, but if you agree to listen closely, the depth and substance of Evans and Brookmeyer reveals a lot of soul, invention, and musicians simply having a real good time".[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]

Track listing

1. "Honeysuckle Rose" (Andy Razaf, Fats Waller) - 5:55
2. "As Time Goes By" (Herman Hupfeld) - 6:58
3. "The Way You Look Tonight" (Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern) - 7:41
4. "It Could Happen to You" (Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) - 7:28
5. "The Man I Love" (Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin) - 5:58
6. "I Got Rhythm" (Gershwin, Gershwin) - 8:34

• Recorded in New York City on March 12, 1959

Personnel

• Bill Evans - piano
• Bob Brookmeyer - piano
• Percy Heath - bass
• Connie Kay - drums

References