Bassists included Scott LaFaro(1959-1961), Chuck Israels (1962-1965), Gary Peacock(1963), Teddy Kotick (1966), Eddie Gomez(1966-1977), and Marc Johnson(1978-1980).
On drums the trio had Paul Motian (1959-1962), Larry Bunker ( 1962-1965), Arnie Wise (1966, 1968), Joe Hunt (1967), Philly Joe Jones (1967, 1977-1978), Jack DeJohnette (1968), John Dentz (1968), Marty Morell (1968-1975), Eliot Zigmund (1975-1977), and Joe La Barbera (1978-1980).
Waltz for Debby
Bill Evans Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Populated by dolls and clowns
And a prince and a big purple bear
Lives my favorite girl
Unaware of the worried frowns
That we weary grown ups all wear
Songs that are spun of gold
Somewhere in her own little head
One day all too soon
She'll grow up and she'll leave her dolls
And her prince and her silly old bear
When she goes they will cry
As they whisper good-bye
They will miss her I fear
But then so will I
When she goes they will cry
As they whisper good-bye
They will miss her I fear
But then so will I
The song Waltz for Debby by Bill Evans tells the story of a young girl living in her own imagination. In her world, there are dolls, clowns, a prince, and a big purple bear, and she remains oblivious to the worries of the adults around her. The lyrics describe how she dances in the sun to silent music, which is comprised of songs spun of gold, all the while living in her own little head. However, the song also has a bittersweet element, as it acknowledges the young girl's inevitable transition into adulthood. Eventually, she will grow up, and leave the dolls, prince, and silly old bear behind. The final lines of the song express the grief that will be felt by those around her, both the toys and the adults, as they say goodbye to her and miss her after she departs.
One of the interesting historical facts about the song Waltz for Debby is that it was recorded live on June 25, 1961, at the Village Vanguard in New York City. This was during a time when jazz music was becoming increasingly popular, and the Village Vanguard was one of the most prominent jazz venues in the city. Evans was accompanied by several other musicians in the recording of the song, including bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. Another interesting fact about the song is that it was originally composed for Evans' niece, Debby, who was just a child at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
In her own sweet world
Describing a little girl's imaginative world
Populated by dolls and clowns
Her world is filled with toys and make-believe characters
And a prince and a big purple bear
The little girl's world is complete with magical creatures
Lives my favorite girl
The artist's fondness for this girl shines through
Unaware of the worried frowns
She is oblivious to the problems of adults around her
That we weary grown ups all wear
Adults carry the weight of their worries and it shows on their faces
In the sun she dances to silent music
The little girl enjoys herself in the midst of her fanciful world
Songs that are spun of gold
The source of the music is as magical as the world around her
Somewhere in her own little head
The music is entirely in her imagination
One day all too soon
The melancholic realization that she will grow up someday
She'll grow up and she'll leave her dolls
As she matures, she will no longer play with her childhood toys
And her prince and her silly old bear
The magical figures of her childhood will become distant memories
When she goes they will cry
The toys will feel sadness at the girl's departure
As they whisper good-bye
The toys will say their farewells softly
They will miss her I fear
The toys will sense a long-lasting sense of loss
But then so will I
The artist will also feel the same sense of loss
When she goes they will cry
The toys will mourn her departure once more
As they whisper good-bye
The toys will say farewell again, albeit softly
They will miss her I fear
The toys will always remember her departure and feel her absence
But then so will I
The artist also shares the same fear of never seeing her again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BILL EVANS, GENE LEES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dot5730
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
@legendboy3003
This song is like magic.
@aldinsobari
Its true it is magic
@danielfavre7741
No doubt,so it is.
@nyvcr502
Yes it is. Do you know the version by Cannonball Adderley? Bill Evens is on piano with Cannonball on alto saxophone
@nyvcr502
Look for the song “Easy Living”. The Clifford Brown version. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
@davyroger3773
One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Hits you like a line of poetry or a mesmerizing painting
@adsupermusone8875
It has special effect on us, what a great sound
@aldinsobari
It is poetry
@robkuiters
mr. Evans, Peterson, Basie, Ellington, Brubeck, Garner, thanks for your wonderful music !
@kidcatchy2091
forgotten charlie parker and chet baker