Paul Motian
Source: Web (heroesofjazz.com)
Arts & Music • Historical Archive • 🇺🇸 United States • 9 views

Paul Motian 🇺🇸

Stephen Paul Motian
Jazz Drummer, Composer, Bill Evans Trio Legend
Born Mar 25, 1931 🇺🇸 Philadelphia, United States
Passed Away Nov 22, 2011 New York City, United States
Lifespan 80 years old
9 views
Notice / Correction
"I don't play time; I play color, breath, and space."

Archival Overview

Revolutionary American jazz drummer and composer of Armenian descent who redefined jazz percussion as an equal melodic voice with the Bill Evans Trio and Keith Jarrett.

Biographical Record

Stephen Paul Motian was raised in Providence, Rhode Island, and served as a Navy musician during the Korean War before moving to New York in 1954, performing with Thelonious Monk and Coleman Hawkins.

From 1959 to 1964, Motian anchored the historic Bill Evans Trio alongside bassist Scott LaFaro, recording the landmark 1961 live albums 'Sunday at the Village Vanguard' and 'Waltz for Debby'. Abandoning rigid timekeeping, Motian introduced shimmering cymbals, color, and melodic polyrhythms, later forming an acclaimed trio with guitarist Bill Frisell and saxophonist Joe Lovano.

Key Life Milestones

1961

Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Recorded the live masterpiece with Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro, revolutionizing piano trio interplay.

1981

Formation of the Motian/Frisell/Lovano Trio

Formed the celebrated drummer-led trio that recorded groundbreaking avant-garde and standard jazz for thirty years.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Cremated, private memorial
New York City, United States
GPS: 40.7128, -74.0060
View on Memory Atlas
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