ETHAN IVERSON SEXTET
Village Vanguard178 7th Avenue South, New York 10014
Ethan Iverson brings his sextet to the Village Vanguard for the Saturday close of its November 3 to 8 run. The New York-based group is led by Iverson at the piano and includes Sam Newsome, Jacob Garchik, Peter Washington and Kush Abadey; trumpeter Jason Palmer is listed for the Saturday and Sunday editions of the engagement. The band has been presented as an "all-star sextet" playing "amusing originals and tough standards," a framework that leaves room for Iverson's writing alongside a deep jazz songbook.
Iverson came to New York in 1991 after leaving high school in Wisconsin, and is also known for his work with The Bad Plus. He has written about enjoying the challenge of orchestrating for three horns, and his repertoire has included pieces by Mal Waldron and Thelonious Monk as well as his own compositions. A prior version of the sextet featured Iverson with Jonathan Finlayson, Newsome, Garchik, Washington and Abadey. Reviewers quoted about Iverson himself have called him "A master of melody," in DownBeat, while Hot House praised his "intellectual depth and adventurous musical spirit."
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.