A Fragmented Parallel Stream: The Bass Lines of Eddie Gomez in the Bill Evans Trio

Abstract

Eddie Gomez was the bassist in the Bill Evans Trio for eleven years. His contribution to the group’s sound was considerable, but while there has been some recognition of his virtuoso solos in the trio there has been little academic interest in his bass lines. This essay examines bass lines from the album Since We Met, recorded in 1974 by Evans, Gomez and drummer Marty Morell. Analysis of the bass accompaniments to the piano solos on “Since We Met” and “Time Remembered” reveals that they form a fragmented two-feel. A traditional two-feel employs two notes to emphasise the first and third beats in bar of 4/4 time. In Gomez’s bass lines these two notes are frequently replaced with short rhythmic motifs. These motifs occur in a variety of forms and at different metric displacements that alternately propel and retard the forward motion of the music. Additionally, Gomez uses a wide range of register and varied articulations to create a richly diverse bass line. The resulting effect has often been interpreted as interactive or conversational with the soloist. However there is very little interaction between the bass line and Evans’ solo. The bass line is a parallel stream to the solo that energises and colours the music.