Charles McPherson/Ethan Iverson Duo | Jazz at the Athenaeum

Jazz returns to the Athenaeum for our annual series of winter concerts in the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Room (at 1008 Wall Street in La Jolla). This series features both Athenaeum favorites and debuts by internationally-acclaimed artists. Seating is limited so order soon!

The winter series opens on Tuesday, February 14, a special Valentine’s Day performance and live recording session by legendary alto saxophonist Charles McPherson and acclaimed jazz pianist Ethan Iverson. The Athenaeum’s relationship with McPherson goes back to beginning of the library’s jazz series in the late 1980s. Wynton Marsalis summed up McPherson’s decades-long eminence in jazz, “Charles is the very definition of excellence in our music. He’s the definitive master on his instrument. He performs with unbelievable fire and an unparalleled depth of soul.”

For many years, Iverson has made pilgrimages to visit and study with McPherson. Widely known for his role as a co-founding member of the influential jazz trio The Bad Plus, Iverson has excelled in a range of projects since leaving the trio, including his role as musical director for choreographer Mark Morris and work with Billy Hart, Mark Turner, and Tom Harrell, as well as elder statesmen like Albert “Tootie” Heath and Ron Carter. Time Out New York recognized him as, “Perhaps NYC’s most thoughtful and passionate student of jazz tradition.”

This program is the first public performance of this collaboration between the 83 year-old bebop master McPherson and 49 year-old Iverson, leading artists from their respective generations of jazz.

The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. These events will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of each concert.

Masks optional. If you have a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms, please stay home.

Host or Publisher Athenaeum Music & Arts Library