Pianist Ethan Iverson makes Blue Note debut with new album Every Note is True
Every Note is True showcases Iverson’s maturation as a composer, and he’s backed by a duo of masterful musicians — bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jack DeJohnette — to help him build upon that growth. Due to the pandemic opening up both of their schedules, Iverson jumped at the chance to set up recording dates with them for the album.
“It’s great to hear Larry and Jack swinging out,” Iverson says. “With the two of them, you don’t need a lot of material. If you bring in something really simple, no more than basic sketches, they’ll take it over and make it sound great. That’s very much in the tradition of those great Blue Note records from the ‘50s and ‘60s, where the tunes are memorable but there aren’t too many notes on a page.”
Every Note is True places the spotlight on Iverson’s formidable composing ability that’s firmly entrenched in traditional harmony while giving enough space for each musician to express themselves in a comfortable variety of pieces. Even though the album was conceived in trying times, the pianist looks back on the experience as a moment of celebration.
“We live in an era where the hot take and the thinkpiece are usually about tearing people down, but I think there should be more room for celebrating that anything good happens at all. In this case, I’m thankful that I get to play with Larry and Jack, and of course thankful for their incredible musicianship. Yes. I want my thanks to be visible.”
Every Note is True is available now via Blue Note Records.
Here’s the track listing:
- The More It Changes
- The Eternal Verities
- She Won’t Forget Me
- For Ellen Raskin
- Blue
- Goodness Knows
- Had I But Known
- Merely Improbable
- Praise Will Travel
- At the Bells of Motley
Ethan Iverson’s Every Note is True is out now via Blue Note.