This week, drummer Vinnie Sperrazza returns to The Jazz Gallery with his trio featuring pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Michael Formanek. This past March, the trio released Saturday (Fresh Sound New Talent), a collection of Sperrazza’s original compositions recorded at the legendary Rudy Van Gelder studio.

Sperrazza publishes a learned and enthusiastic Substack (check out fabulous recent essays on drummer Joe Chambers and Max Roach’s group M’Boom). There, you can find Sperrazza’s own interpretations of his tunes, including this poetic description of the lead track:

We start with “Stephen Paul”, an out-of-time, minor-key melody. Stephen Paul, of course, is Stephen Paul Motian (he was listed in the Manhattan phone book in the early 2000’s as either Stephen Paul Motian or Stephen P. Motian). It’s a sort of early-morning mood, meant to evoke one of those days I wake up thinking of something or someone very clearly. Michael and Ethan really get deep into the spirit of it. 

Don’t miss these familial improvisers explore new corners of these evocative compositions at The Jazz Gallery.

Drummer Vinnie Sperrazza plays The Jazz Gallery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Mr. Sperrazza is joined by Michael Formanek on bass and Ethan Iverson on piano. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. E.D.T. $20 general admission (FREE for members), $30 reserved cabaret seating ($20 for members), $20 livestream access (FREE for members) for each set. Purchase tickets here.