"Undercurrent" is a 1962 jazz album featuring pianist Bill Evans and guitarist Jim Hall. This collaboration highlights a remarkable interplay between Evans' intricate piano work and Hall's subtle yet expressive guitar playing. The album is noted for its sophisticated arrangements and the nuanced chemistry between the two musicians.
In addition to Undercurrent, Evans and Hall reunited in 1966 for another collaborative project, Intermodulation, which further explores their musical synergy and innovative approach to jazz. Both albums are celebrated for their contribution to the genre and are esteemed examples of intimate and creative jazz duets.
After the death of Scott LaFaro in early July 1961, Bill Evans was deeply affected and refrained from recording or even playing the piano for several months. When he resumed recording in October, he participated as a sideman in projects with musicians such as Mark Murphy, Herbie Mann, Dave Pike, and Tadd Dameron. It wasn't until the spring of 1962 that Evans returned to the forefront as a leader with this album.
His collaborator, Hall, reminisced about the collaborative environment of the time:
"The circle that George Russell would have over to his place included Jimmy Giuffre, Bob Brookmeyer, Gil Evans, Zoot Sims, Bill and others. It didn't seem strange to me to do records together. Somebody always had a record date. I mean, that is what we did. It was very exciting in those sessions. We weren't thinking about 'jazz history.'"
Later in 1962, Evans and Hall would continue their collaboration on larger ensemble projects, including the albums Interplay, Loose Blues (which was released posthumously after Evans’s death), and The Gary McFarland Orchestra.
