Eddie Gomez Solo “Emily”

“Emily” — from Another Time: The Hilversum Concert
Recorded 1968 — Released 2017 — Resonance Records

Another Time: The Hilversum Concert documents a 1968 live performance by the Bill Evans Trio featuring Bill Evans on piano, Eddie Gómez on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums. Though recorded in 1968 for Dutch radio, the session remained unreleased until 2017 on Resonance Records. The trio captures Evans at a transitional moment — rhythmically more open, interactive, and conversational than his earlier groups.

“Emily,” originally composed by Johnny Mandel, becomes a lyrical showcase for the trio’s sensitivity and interplay.

Eddie Gómez — Bass Solo Description

Eddie Gómez’s solo on “Emily” is fluid, vocal, and harmonically adventurous. Unlike traditional walking-bass-centered solos, Gómez approaches the instrument with a singing upper-register concept, moving freely across positions with light articulation and melodic phrasing.

He uses long, connected eighth-note lines interspersed with lyrical sustained tones, creating contrast between motion and space. His harmonic approach is modern — outlining extensions and upper chord tones rather than relying strictly on roots and thirds. The solo feels linear and flowing, often blurring the sense of strict bar lines while still maintaining strong internal time.

What stands out most is his register choice. Gómez frequently moves into the upper range of the instrument, allowing the bass to function almost like a second horn voice. Even in these higher registers, his tone remains focused and clear.

For bassists, this solo is essential study in melodic improvisation, upper-register fluency, and how to create forward motion without relying solely on traditional bebop vocabulary. It demonstrates how the bass can sing — not just support.

Take it to The Shed Studio and lock in the time, tone, and feel before bringing it up to tempo.