Often credited as Gil Evans, this Canadian-American jazz arranger, composer, and bandleader was a pivotal figure in the development of cool jazz, modal jazz, and jazz fusion from the 1940s through the 1980s. His innovative orchestrations and collaborations with Miles Davis, particularly on albums like "Birth of the Cool" and "Sketches of Spain," redefined the sound of jazz big bands and significantly influenced subsequent generations of musicians. Evans's distinctive approach to texture and harmony left an indelible mark on 20th-century music.