New documentary exploring the life of jazz icon Bill Evans hits North Vancouver

He played alongside Miles Davis at the height of New York City'sjazz scene in the 1950s and now a new documentary showcased at CapilanoUniversity will tell the lifelong tale of one of the modern masters of jazz.

Bill Evans: Time Remembered tells the story of jazz icon Bill Evans, known as one of the pioneers of modern jazz. He's garneredseven GrammyAwards, a success that includesthe highlycoveted lifetime achievement award, which he was awardedposthumously.

"He's Bach.He's Mozart he's all those guys combined," said the event's co-producerLaurieVerchomin on CBC's Hot Air."He's Bill Evans."

Verchomin will co-presentthe documentary with Capilano'sjazz department at Blue Shore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts.

She was once a jazz student in Edmonton, before entering a romantic relationship with Evans. She chronicled their time together in the bookThe Big Love:Life and Death with Bill Evans.

Verchomin, who now lives on the Sunshine Coast, will hold a Q & A after the screening with jazz musician Miles Black, who will also perform Bill Evans compositions at the event.

"I hope thatpeople just come away with an understandingwhat it takes to create beauty, and what a worthwhile pursuit it is," said Verchomin.

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'A lifelong fantasy'

Verchonin now runsThe Bill Evans Legacy Organization, whichis dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Evans' music and legacy. She first met the jazz great at a Ukranianchurch in Edmonton, where she was part of a jazz society that managed to book the musician for a concert.

"He was like the high priest of Jazz," saidVerchomin, adding that she stared at him in awe. She says it wasn't long before the musiciantook an interest in her.

"He was very attracted to me because I was a young 22-year-old woman," saidVerchomin. "So he invited me to come to his hotel room but I had a boyfriend at the time, so it wasn't really possible."

A persistent Evans eventuallyconvinced Verchomin to come to New York to visit him. He took her on a five-day date, and at the very end, he wrote a song for her, aptly titled Laurie.

"It was pretty overwhelming to imagine someone like that would dedicate something so beautiful to me. It's really been a lifelong fantasy to be part of Bill's life, and to be connected to him in that way."

Bill Evans: TimeRemembered will showcase at Blue Shore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts atCapilano Universityon Sept.15. The film is directed by BruceSpiegel.

With files from CBC's Hot Air

To listen to the full interview, click on the audio labelled:Bill Evans: Time Remembered makes its Canadian premier at Capilano University