To this day, jazz pianists are influenced by Bill Evans by his use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and his trademark rhythmically independent, singing melodic lines. Evans gained his first spotlight when joining Miles Davis sextet during the time Kind of Blue was recorded. After leaving the sextet, Evans began his career as bandleader, which he finished in his last trio with Marc Johnson on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. This trio recorded The Brilliant in 1980 live at the Keystone Jazzclub, San Francisco, just before Evans’ passing.

The Brilliant was originally released by Timless Records in 1990, and is now reissued by Music On Vinyl on black vinyl.