Pianist/composer Ethan Iverson is best known for his work with The Bad Plus, a jazz trio that pioneered jazz interpretations of contemporary rock & pop songs. Since his departure from that band, he has performed solo and with other prominent jazz artists.

This performance was a world premiere of “The Benny Goodman Sextet” and “Playfair Sonata”. The other musicians are not jazz musicians per se. They are classical musicians that champion the music of the late 20th/21st century. All the performed notes are written, there was no improvisation. The performances of the compositions were short, purposely limited to 5 minutes or less. The limits of a 78 rpm laquer. The Red Road String Quartet and clarinetest Carol McConnell joined Iverson on the stage.

Iverson started with 3 short piano pieces that spanned the history of jazz. Starting with James T. Johnson’s “Keep Off The Grass, continuing with Duke Ellington’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and ending with a Burt Bachrach composition, all 3 performances reflected the historic nature of the music all played with ragtime flair and embellishments.

Clarinetist Carol McConnell joined Iverson to perform a 4 part duet. Carol’s virtuosity was on display both visually and sonically as notes flew out of her clarinet with the piano deftly keeping out.

The Orange Road Quartet was introduced. Composer Bobby Ge’s Songs of Innocence and Experience was played with abandon. Rosin and strings flying as the group flew through the composition with wild abandon,

After the various components of the ensemble got there place in the sun, they were assembled for the Benny Goodman Sonata with 4 movements. Incidentally, this was a world premiere of the piece. In Saugerties, NY of all places.

In between pieces, Iverson and others explained their roles and the background music like it was a college lecture hall.

Ethan Iverson has always been a pioneer and explorer of music. With this new project, he is exploring old forms and combining them in a new way. I’m sure wherever his muse takes him, many will listen.

Thanks to Danny Melnick and Isabel Soffer for bringing this unusual music upstate to the Local.