Waltz for Debby Bill Evans Transcription based on the versions from "Waltz for Debby" (1961) and "New Jazz Conceptions" (1956), including some elements of "On Jazz 625" (1965)
transcribed by Thomas Mueller 2017-01-09 A1
ad lib. RH
etc. (or E7/g#, see m.52)
9
A2 17
25
* *
* or A * or A
B 33
* *
* take 2 (1961): both chords on 1st beat 2
41
A3 49
(or C9, see m.4)
57
62
short version (1956) 65 rit. * a tempo rit.
* long version: go to "C"
70 slowly small notes: 1961
( ) ( ) 3
C a Tempo, with swing feel take 1, 1961 76
80
A1 Chord changes for chorusses maj7 7 7/b10 7 7 7 7 7 7 F /A Dm ( D ) Gm C A D Gm C 84
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 A+ Dm Gm C Am Dm Gm C 3 88
A2 maj7 7 7/b10 7 7 7 7 7 7 F /A Dm (D ) Gm C A D Gm C 92 3
3 4
7 7 7(b5) 7 maj7 maj7 A+ Dm Bm E A A 3 96 3 3
3 3 3
B 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 11 Gm C Am D Gm A Dm F 100 3 3 3 3
3 3 3
maj7 7 B A 7 7/13 maj7 maj7 7 7 + Dm G A D Gm C 104
A3 maj7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 F /A Dm Gm C A D Gm C 108 3 3
3 3
7 7 7 7 9 9 7 9 A+ Dm Gm C Am D Bm E 112 5
last chorus to Coda 7 7 maj7 7 7 7/13 b9/b13 Am F B A+ Dm Dm G G 116
maj7 7/b5 maj7 7/#9 6/9 F Fm B D F bass: C ------> for next chorus 120
Coda take 1, 1961 124 3 3 3 3
3 3
3 3 bass: C - - -
128 slowly
bass: C ------>
Editorial notes: This transcription is based mainly on the recordings from "New Jazz Conceptions" (1956), the two takes from "Waltz for Debby" (1961), and a BBC recording from 1965. My aim was to combine the best elements of these early recordings in an idealized and well playable version. In order to make it playable for piano solo I have incorporated the bass into the left hand. Small notes show variants or bass notes. Bill Evans changed some characteristics of the primal version and kept them in all or most of the later versions. It seems that he regarded these changes as improvements. The most important changes are: - In the oldest version the chord in m. 4 and m.52 is E7. In some of the later versions it is C9 instead. I have used both possibilities. - The passage m. 14-16: instead of the eighth notes of the primary version most later versions use quarter notes. This is clearly superior, it provides more sereneness and consistency. The chords in m.14 have changed completely and are consistent in most of the later versions. - In m. 62-65 all versions differ strongly. I chose elements from various versions which appeared to me appropriate for a printable edition.