Ethan Iverson: Playfair Sonatas

Since leaving The Bad  Plus, pianist and composer Ethan Iverson has produced a wide ranging, creative and eclectic catalogue. His latest release has him in the classical world of sonatas, as Iverson teams up with Miranda Cuckson/vi, Makoto Nakura/mar, Carol McGonnell/cl, Mike Lormand/tb, Taimur Sullivan/as and Tim Leopold/tp for a series of pairings in classical form, but with jazz sensibilities and dedications.

The full team gets together to booked the pieces with elegiac “Fanfare” and “Recessional”. From there, Cuckson adds blues to the “Violin Sonata II”, McGonnell’s clarinet wafts on “Muisc For Carla Bley” and Lormand brings a warm tone to “Hymn”. Sullivan’s alto glides to “Melody (For Paul Desmond)”, Leopold bounces to “Allegro” and Nakura’s marimbas delight for “Rondo/Presto”. Unlike his early trio days, no sense of irony is present; the music is delivered with respect, wonder and serenity. The Good Plus.

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