Ethan Iverson: The Benny Goodman Sextet and Playfair Sonata
Noted jazz pianist and polymath Ethan Iverson (best known for his founding role in The Bad Plus) is now writing formal scores for classical players.
Tonight he brings clarinet star Carol McGonnell and up-and-coming string quartet Orange Road to Salon 58 for the New York premiere of The Benny Goodman Sextet, a serious yet fun chamber work that draws on both classical and jazz influences. McGonnell and Iverson will also duo on Iverson’s Clarinet Sonata, one of six acclaimed Playfair Sonatas released last year
Grab your tickets now!
Evening Schedule
- Doors open with welcome drinks & snacks: 6:30pm
- Music starts: 7:00pm
- Post-concert mingle: 8:00 - 9:30pm
Ethan Iverson
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Iverson
As a pianist, as a composer, and as a critic, Ethan Iverson has long celebrated both the rich tradition and continuous evolution of jazz. So, it seems only fitting that he would eventually take his place on the roster of Blue Note Records, which has provided a home for innovation rooted in the music’s foundations throughout its eight-decade history.
Iverson makes his Blue Note debut with Every Note Is True, an engaging and evocative date featuring a masterful new trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette. The album is an opportunity for the pianist to look back at and expand upon his own musical history including the pop/rock-influenced jazz style of The Bad Plus, the influential trio that Iverson co-founded in 2000.
Since leaving The Bad Plus in late 2017, Iverson has undertaken a diverse range of projects including collaborations with iconic drummers Billy Hart and Albert “Tootie” Heath; recordings with trumpeter Tom Harrell and saxophonist Mark Turner; and compositions for orchestra, big band, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. Each of these, alongside his acclaimed, long-running blog Do the Math and his writings in publications including The New Yorker and The Nation, have allowed Iverson to explore his inspirations from a variety of perspectives.
Carol Mcgonnell
Carol McGonnell is a distinguished clarinetist celebrated for her captivating performances and exceptional technique. A faculty of The Juilliard School, she has forged a dynamic career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. Known for her expressive interpretations and versatility, McGonnell has performed with leading orchestras and ensembles worldwide, showcasing both classical and contemporary repertoire. Her commitment to expanding the clarinet’s musical boundaries has led her to collaborate with prominent composers and premiere new works. A passionate advocate for music education, she is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians through her teaching and mentorship.
"Music is an unfolding experience, a shift from listener and performer to moving together in a space of heightened energy… it’s about bravery and ferocious curiosity." Carol McGonnell
Orange Road Quartet
Dedicated to the performance of new works and modern classics, Orange Road creates exciting listener-centered musical spaces for curious audiences. The programs they develop in close interdisciplinary collaboration with composers connect art and audiences in ways beyond the traditional elite dominated concert hall, and leave people from all backgrounds with a transformative experience. Orange Road is the 2024-2026 Cuker and Stern Quartet in Residence at the Mannes School of Music where they receive mentorship from the JACK Quartet.
Recent season highlights include appearances at the South Carolina Chamber Music Festival, a return to the Southern Exposure Series where they played George Crumb’s Black Angels, and a performance of the Philip Glass score to Dracula with the legendary Michael Riesman.
Collaboration with composers is at the heart of Orange Road’s activities. This season they had artistic residencies at UC Davis, University of Florida, and Duke University, where they premiered and recorded pieces by student composers. In 2022, Orange Road was awarded the first annual Whittaker Composition Commission and premiered the work at the University of South Carolina in the 2022-2023 season, when they were also invited to participate in the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music Program. Each member of Orange Road was paired with a composer and a singer in a multi-faceted project working on the composition and performance of four new pieces centered around the modern human experience and global inequality.
Location
Salon58, 10019