"Portrait in Jazz" is a studio album by American jazz pianist Bill Evans, released in 1960. It was Evans' first album for his new label Riverside Records and was recorded with his then-newly formed trio, featuring Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. "Portrait in Jazz" stands as a significant turning point in Evans' career as it marked the beginning of his acclaimed partnership with LaFaro and Motian.
The album incorporates the influence of the impressionist harmony of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, with Evans becoming one of the pioneering figures in the subgenre "third stream", which blends jazz and classical music styles. The recording presents a unique interplay between members of the trio, expressive in rhythm and harmony, with a notable level of synchronicity.
"Portrait in Jazz" features renditions of several jazz standards, including "Autumn Leaves", "Witchcraft", "When I Fall in Love", and others, all given fresh interpretations, showcasing Evans' distinct modal jazz style. The album was critically praised and is considered a profound milestone in modern jazz, remembered as one of the first records to illustrate Bill Evans' full capability and innovative spirit.
