by Scott Yanow 　　Marc Copland actually began his musical career as a saxophonist, playing alto with Chico Hamilton in the early '70s shortly after arriving in New York. However, he soon took time off, changed direction, and re-emerged as a pianist whose lyricism sometimes recalls Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. Copland has recorded as a leader for Sunnyside, Savoy, and Jazzline and has also been a talented sidemen for a variety of modern mainstream all-stars.