ETHAN IVERSON SEXTET
Village Vanguard178 7th Avenue South, New York 10014
Ethan Iverson brings his sextet to the Village Vanguard for the November 3 to 8 run. The band is a six-piece jazz group with Iverson on piano, Skylar Tang on trumpet, Sam Newsome on soprano saxophone, Jacob Garchik on trombone, Peter Washington on bass and Kush Abadey on drums. Iverson has described earlier sextet programs as mixing his own compositions with jazz classics by Mal Waldron and Thelonious Monk; the Jazz Gallery has characterized the book as “amusing originals and tough standards.”
Iverson came to New York after leaving high school in Wisconsin in 1991 and is known as a pianist, composer and writer, as well as a founding member of The Bad Plus. The Jazz Gallery calls that group a “revolutionary and wildly successful avant-garde trio.” His collaborators include Tom Harrell, Mark Turner, Ron Carter, Tootie Heath and Jack DeJohnette, and he remains a member of the Billy Hart Quartet. DownBeat called him “A master of melody,” while Stereophile described him as “a natural, consistent crowd-pleaser,” adding: “Iverson can do it all, while never abandoning his distinctive touch.”
A narrow basement staircase leads to a triangular room with a red curtain and a stage at the point, where musicians play for a small audience of 123. Tables open like spokes from the stage, and the walls hold portraits of jazz legends. The acoustics are excellent, and the only sound before the music begins is the hum of the room. No food is served, only drinks at a bar. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., with seating beginning at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. respectively. The atmosphere is focused entirely on the music, with silence requested before the concert begins.