Bill McHenry tenor sax · Ethan Iverson piano
I have admired Ethan Iverson and Bill McHenry for more than a quarter of a century. In fact, ever since I discovered them on Live at Smalls (Fresh Sound), alongside the great Reid Anderson and Jeff Williams. Ever since then, I have kept them in my personal drawer of unique and unpredictable sources of inspiration. Above all, because they are creators who naturally shy away from obvious solutions.
McHenry, for example, has always distanced himself from clichés (including obvious post-bop) with an originality that never becomes extravagant, and with no need to include anything unusual. Iverson, for his part, always moves forward with a formal nakedness and deceptively simple approach that can make even the oldest tune sound radically modern. And together, when they engage in dialogue, they create a conversation that transcends the exhibitionism of solos. Everything, at every moment, is placed at the service of the music.
I can’t wait to find out the setlist. First of all, because of McHenry’s particular skill with repertoire, and his very special personality, as enigmatic as it is amusing. But also because of Iverson’s connections and curiosity about the history of music, and his ability to identify unexpected relationships between composers, styles, and different ways of understanding art. In fact, for many people – myself included – Iverson is a true reference point for understanding where we are and where we come from.
Bringing Bill McHenry and Ethan Iverson together is not just a good idea. I would say it is a deliberate provocation designed to make things happen (I always say it: one of the essences of a festival). And I have no doubt that quite a few things will happen at this concert that we will always remember.
– Josep Mestres, Jazzucrist
