ETHAN IVERSON SEXTET
Village Vanguard178 7th Avenue South, New York 10014
Ethan Iverson brings his sextet to Village Vanguard for the late set on November 3. For this Tuesday through Friday portion of the group’s Vanguard run, the pianist is joined by Skylar Tang on trumpet, Sam Newsome on soprano saxophone, Jacob Garchik on trombone, Peter Washington on bass and Kush Abadey on drums. The six-piece repertoire includes jazz classics by Mal Waldron and Thelonious Monk, alongside half-a-dozen Iverson originals. In the Vanguard’s triangular downstairs room, the group plays for a seated audience with the focus firmly on the bandstand.
Iverson is a pianist and composer, and a founding member of The Bad Plus, the trio the Jazz Gallery calls “revolutionary and wildly successful avant-garde.” His work has included collaborations with Tom Harrell, Mark Turner, Ron Carter, Tootie Heath and Jack DeJohnette, and he continues his long membership in the Billy Hart Quartet. DownBeat calls him “A master of melody,” while Stereophile describes him as “a natural, consistent crowd-pleaser.” The Jazz Gallery has characterized this sextet’s book as “amusing originals and tough standards,” a useful frame for a band that brings Iverson’s writing into conversation with durable jazz material.
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.