These Nat Hentoff excerpts are from the Sketches of Spain CD pamphlet.

Are Gil Evans’ contributions to Sketches of Spain overlooked? Forgotten?

Gil Evans has been an autodidact throughout his career. Almost entirely self-taught, he does not limit himself to what the books say can or cannot be done. “I have always,” says Gil, “learned though practical work. I didn’t learn any theory except through the practical use of it.”

– Nat Hentoff

This description nudges you to lean in…

“In the studio, Gil Evans was checking the parts with his characteristically preoccupied look. A lean, graying 47, Gil looks like a gently aging diplomat who collects rare species of ferns on weekends.“

– Nat Hentoff

Sketches of Spain sounds like one of those great Hollywood scores. You know it’s Jazz, but there is a cinematic, Lawrence of Arabia, type sound.