Believe it or not, Ethan Iverson’s Friday night’s set with Peter Erskine/dr and Darek Oles/b was the first time the pianist has played in Los Angeles as a leader. He’s been here many instances with The Bad Plus and served as a sideman for the likes of Albert “Tootie” Heath and Billy Hart, so seeing him here on his own was a chance to appreciate his own musical world view, and the results were more than worthwhile. Unlike most of today’s pianists, and jazz artists in general, Iverson showed either the wisdom of his Midwest upbringing or through the years of playing that the best of musicians make the best musical statements not so much in what they play, but in what they don’t play.
Throughout the 90 minute set, Iverson used economy of notes and space like a sculptor, chipping away here and there, like the masters such as Monk, Miles and Desmond. Oh, he knows how to blow, as his left hand shuffled and crawled around the piano like a caffeinated spider on a daunting “Giant Steps” , and the threw in bebop quotes from the likes of “Salt Peanuts” as he dug in, trading ideas with Erskine on “Wee”, with the drummer giving a workshop for all those students in attendance.
But it was the deceptively simple ideas, such as the dark and introspective intro to the bluesy “It’s Fine to Decline” with a Monkish lurk, or the baroque-ish stride around Oles’ solo on the abstract read of “All The Things You Are” (‘we apologize to Mr. Kern’ joked Iverson) that showed the singular personality of the leader.
Even as Erskine and Oles snapped around the groove of Eric Dolphy’s “Fire Waltz”, the swinging was easy, as hints of the restrained and graceful feel of the likes of Nat Cole or Red Garland were felt on a sophisticatedly patient “Stomping At The Savoy” or the cheerful and whimsical TV show theme looking for a script on the wide griped chords of “She Won’t Forget Me”.
Iverson’s rich strides reached a zenith with some old Harlem shouting chords with a “Just You, Just Me” intro to the sharp angled “Evidence”, and while Erskine and Oles volleyed back and forth like players at Muscle Beach, Iverson used block chords for soloing like Lego building blocks, creating sturdy structures made to last through any rattle of an earthquake.
Iverson has come here many times, but Friday night, the pianist came into his own.
Upcoming shows at Sam First Bar include Larry Goldings 04/11-12, Jeff Babko 04/13, Anthony Wilson 04/17-18 and Daniel Rotem 04/19