Style:

Waltz, taken at a wide variety of tempos.

Form:

A-A-B-C (48 Bars) [16-16-8-8]

Coda:

A short repeated tag followed by several orchestrated shots finish the performance.

Key:

C Major

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this progression is sophisticated and rather complex. Although there are many functional elements throughout there are many deceptive cadences that resolve in an unconventional manner. The contour of the melody however remains fairly consistent, helping to string together the sometimes seemingly unrelated changes. The overall harmonic  landscape of the tune strongly conveys the individuality of Bill Evan's concept, which is a remarkable feat considering the fact that composed  the piece while still just a junior in College.

Recordings:

This composition has become a standard and is one of Bill Evan's most well-known. It has been recorded over 150 times to date, and the first  recording comes from Bill Evan's 1962 album Moon Beams. He would record it many times throughout his career, and there are many  live performances that have been discovered/released posthumously. It continues to be performed frequently to this day and to be found in  almost every Bill Evan's tribute.

JGC Top Picks:

Bill Evans, The Secret Sessions, 1967

Charles Lloyd, Montreux 82, 1982

Alex Sipiagin, Hindsight, 2002