If you listen to that kind of jazz long enough you start hearing things. Patterns. References to other songs or standards in a solo. Two players interacting and having a kind of conversation with each other. I’ve listened to this album so many times I can play it in my mind.

If you’re really interested then listen to it enough so that it becomes somewhat familiar. You’ll be able to distinguish the structure from the improv and hear the interaction between the two. Bill Evans was a classical pianist. Maybe just focus on the piano and try to see what it’s doing in the song.

My Favorite Things by John Coltrane may be a better place to start though. It really emphasizes a familiar melody.