Bassist/leader Anne Mette Iversen puts together an intriguing concept of a single 6 piece suite that includes both a Prologue and Epilogue, with four Chapters in between. Performing the music is Iversen’s jazz quintet of herself with John Ellis/ts-ss, Peter Dahlgren/tb, Danny Grissett/p and Otis Brown III/drums juxtaposed with the 4Corners String Ensemble of Tine Rudloff/v, Sarah McClelland/v, Anne Soren/va and Mats Larsson/c. Between the opening bass intro and closing string serenade are sounds that mix Bartok-like strings, bop rhythms and lyrical solos by Ellis and Dahlgren, as on “Chapter One.” Grissett’s piano is spotlighted on the spry “Chapter Four” while the strings and horn serve as graceful frames, and Iverson’s bass with Dahlgren’s brass creates some lilting moments on “ Chapter Three.” Creative, clever and attractive on many levels.
Bju Records