After sitting in as a sideman on recorded jam sessions quite a bit from 1941-1944 with luminaries like Charlie Christian, Kenny Clarke, Joe Guy, and Roy Eldridge, Thelonious Monk got his first session dates as leader in late 1947 for the then evolving Blue Note label. Blue Note had started in 1939 primarily as a label that featured stride pianists and hot jazz artists from the 20s and 30s like Sidney Bechet and Teddy Bunn. In the late 40s they began recording more modern jazz styles and new artists.
“Evidence” was a contrafact of “Just You, Just Me”, a tune featured in a 1929 MGM film “Marianne” and was originally titled “Justice” (“just us”) in homage to the original composition. The original tune was recorded in the late 20s by Al Goodman, Ukulele Ike, Jack Hylton, and others. It was recorded later in the 30s by Artie Shaw and Red Norvo but really enjoyed a resurgence after the war when it seemed everyone was recording it again – including Lester Young, Teddy Wilson, and Eddie Heywood.
From the first dyad octaves of Monk’s version, played in a rough and seemingly disjointed style, you can hear how Monk’s approach to jazz was markedly different than what came before. So simple – in some ways – just octaves played in unison – but following the harmony in an advanced manner – emphasizing the sevenths and tritones of the underlying chords. At once, off kilter and perfectly aligned.
The soft vibes of Milt Jackson kick in to lull us back while Monk spends the rest of the track weaving around the harmony in that same abrupt yet intentional movement through the changes. While not as well known as the flip side, “Ruby My Dear”, I find this track quite compelling.
Recorded at Apex Studios in New York City on July 2, 1948.
Released in France as Jazz Selection J.S. 554.
Originally released in the U.S. as Blue Note 549.
Credits:
Milt Jackson – vibes
Thelonious Monk – piano
John Simmons – bass
Shadow Wilson – drums