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Man of mystery Sam Lasserson joins Ethan Iverson above and Jeff Williams at the Vortex tomorrow

Surely Ethan Iverson won’t, will he, lean over to say ‘play it again, Sam?’ Even a whisper might be out of the question from the piano player, or the fun-loving fans in the audience bound to turn out in some number when The Bad Plus’ Iverson plays an exclusive trio club date tomorrow.

No, it’s not with The Bad Plus although he will be back on tour with the acclaimed trio in the UK soon but instead it’s with man of mystery, bassist Sam Lasserson, and the more familiar ex-Lee Konitz drummer and Dave Liebman associate, Jeff Williams whose new quartet album The Listener is released in June. But who exactly is Lasserson?

Well, the bassist (above) is in ECM saxophonist Martin Speake’s quartet, and plays with rising star of the guitar Hannes Riepler, the “Country Gentleman” player who has been helming the burgeoning Sunday night jam downstairs at the Vortex. Lasserson obviously keeps good company.

How the polymath Iverson has hooked up with Lasserson is anyone’s guess but the pianist is a shrewd observer of the scene, and in terms of London is no stranger to the Vortex where the gig is to take place. Iverson four years ago joined Bad Plus drummer Dave King, hipster alto sensation Tim Berne, and cellist Hank Roberts in the very spot for one of the most hardcore improvising gigs ever witnessed at the cutting edge club. Be prepared to stand.
www.vortexjazz.co.uk, Saturday 20 April