Ethan Iverson plays James P. Johnson and John Coltrane

James P. Johnson and John Coltrane are from different eras, so it is comparatively rare for compositions from each to be placed next to each other. It’s possible they could have met, for many of the circa-1950 NYC jazz musicians knew James P. personally, and Coltrane’s first records with Miles Davis were made in 1955, the year of Johnson’s death. This unique program is essentially two sets of etudes. Posterity remembers James P. Johnson for composing the anthem of the Jazz Age, “The Charleston,” although the jazz pianists still work on his serious stride piano classics like “Carolina Shout” for they are both very beautiful and very nutritious. It is uncommon for a modern jazz pianist to play James P. In concert; is also uncommon for a solo pianist to tackle themes from John Coltrane, for part of the Coltrane style is a fierce and interactive rhythm section. Iverson treats iconic Coltrane themes as etudes for expanding the possibilities of solo jazz piano, an approach that naturally aligns with the restless exploration of the saxophonist.

Ethan Iverson: Piano

Iverson is best known for being a founding member of hometown heroes The Bad Plus.

iverson.substack.com