Bill Evans – How My Heart Sings (Nota Bene)

Pettinger understands what sets the pianist apart, and explains with a minimum of technical language and just enough musical transcriptions to get his key points across. . . This is an ideal companion for those who want to 'understand' Evans in the most important way, through listening. --Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe

Peter Pettinger writes frankly in his fine new biography of what was no secret to Evans's appalled colleagues: The most influential jazz pianist of the past half-century was addicted to drugs--first heroin, then cocaine--for much of his adult life. --Terry Teachout, New York Times Book Review

[A] fine new biography . . . packed with . . . shrewd critical commentary. --Terry Teachout, New York Times Book Review

Pettinger . . . has thoroughly researched Evans's life, reading the available literature and tracking down the pianist's associates for commentary, and he has listened assiduously to the Evans catalog, which is no small feat given its enormousness. --Adam Bresnick, Wall Street Journal

Pettinger provides a portrait of Evans that will serve as a foundation for further investigation of this quiet jazz giant. Recommended for jazz fans and music buffs. --Library Journal

Pettinger is eminently qualified to assay Evan's evolution as a pianist, and students of Evan's music will no doubt enjoy the author's references to Evan's scores and academic excursions. --Publishers Weekly

One of the most moving and informative jazz books of recent years. . . . For its sensitive sympathetic and insightful look at the artistry of Bill Evans, How My Heart Sings makes a valuable contribution. --Joel Roberts, All About Jazz

The greatest strength of Pettinger's writing is that, analyzing Evans' recorded legacy, almost piece by piece, he tells how Evans did it--that is, what to listen for--in terms fully accessible to the lay listener. So this is not an expos or analysis of a 'tortured' artist, but a fine music lover's reference about a nonpareil artist. --Booklist

Pettinger's approach is at once delightfully insightful and detailed in terms of musical analysis. . . . A much-needed addition to the growing list of respectable biographies of the greatest figures in the first century of jazz history. . . . An excellent choice for collections supporting studies of popular music at all levels. --Choice

Indispensable. . . . The 40-page discography alone will be cherished as will the author's dogged research into the circumstances surrounding all important Evans recordings and trio personnel changes. . . . Through interviews with friends and colleagues, Evans own utterances and the author's insider knowledge of the piano, the book contains many insights into Evans' music. --Jeff Bradley. Denver Post

Accessible to non-musician and including a complete discography, Pettinger's book is highly recommended for Evans fans. --Jazz Insider

Pettinger's strength as a listener and analyst makes this an essential book about Evans. . . . This fine book will be a part of the foundation for Evans scholars to come. --Doug Ramsey, Jazztimes

Pettinger chronicles in detail Evan's endless search for empathy and expression of emotion within his perennial context, the piano trio, and his famous successes within that context. . . . How My Heart Sings is told with a simplicity and calm momentum that are reminiscent of Evan's music itself; it shows facility supported by scholarship and research. --Jon Rodine, Rain Taxi

A thoroughly researched, well-written biography of the soft-spoken but troubled jazz pianist. --San Francisco Examiner Magazine

A stark--yet refreshingly lyrical--document of a jazz pianist who said more with his music than with his indulgences. --Chet Williamson, Worcester Weekly

Peter Pettinger's book on pianist Bill Evans is one of the best jazz biographies I have ever read. It is beautifully and lovingly written, meticulously researched, and filled with deep insight into Evans's personality and musicmaking. --Barry Kernfeld, author of What to Listen for in Jazz

This book is likely to become a classic. There is nothing quite like it in the history of jazz. A concert pianist looks at the work of a jazz pianist whom many authorities consider one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century. Pettinger hears all sorts of subtleties as only a fellow pianist can. He is also a felicitous and interesting writer. This is a brilliant piece of extended analysis. --Gene Lees