More than just a talented pianist, Gil Evans is one of the most innovative arrangers in jazz history. His unorthodox techniques mixed unexpected instruments, and his thickly layered harmonies were an inspiration to players like Gerry Mulligan and Miles Davis. Evans' forward-thinking attitude made him an invaluable asset to Davis, who was eager to shake off the restraints of bop. Evans and Davis would collaborate throughout the late ‘50s, and Evans would go on to release several landmark albums of his own on several major jazz labels, including Prestige, Verve and RCA.