Gil Evans Plays Jimi Hendrix, Plays Jimi Hendrix, RCA CPL1-0667

At first glance this seemed like either another commercial capitalization of a rock superstar or at the least, an unworkable combination. Another "Herbie Mann plays ____ " (fill in the blank with the current pop rage). On second thought, though, if you are hip to what Gil Evans has been accomplishing, the skepticism begins to fade. He's been leading bands for some 40 years now. It's a safe bet that you don't stay in the forefront of musical expression by standing still. The main thing in music that Evans looks for is spirit. These days he finds it in the sound of Stevie Wonder, Keith Jarrett, Ornette Coleman-and Jimi Hendrix. They were going to do an album together the Monday Hendrix was returning from England. He died the Friday before.

This year Evans presented a concert of Hendrix compositions at Carnegie Hall as part of the program of the New York Jazz Repertory Company and this recording resulted from a studio session a few days later. The results are mixed. Some Hendrix material lends itself to the expansive big band interpretation ("Angel," "Up from the Skies"). However the earthy Hendrix of "Crosstown Traffic" or "Foxey Lady" must still be etched too firmly in my mind to easily accept another interpretation. And Marvin Peterson's vocals certainly do not evoke the Hendrix image. There's some solid solo work--big, bad Billy Harper blows a mean tenor as usual. Rather than a sparkling musical expression like Svengali, mark this down as a much deserved tribute to a rock legacy, Jimi Hendrix.

--Larry Friske