Iron Year – Richard Sears

Iron Year is an album by pianist and composer Richard Sears that explores the relationship between compositional structure and improvised interaction within a sextet format.

The ensemble includes Roman Filiu (alto saxophone), Dayna Stephens (tenor saxophone), Bryan Carrott (vibraphone), Martin Nevin (bass), and Craig Weinrib (drums), configuring a lineup that expands the timbral spectrum through the layering of melodic and rhythmic tiers.

The compositions, inspired by the work of Hart Crane, are organized around progressive structures, dynamic contrasts, and a fluid interaction between the musicians. The repertoire alternates between introspective passages and developments of greater rhythmic density, maintaining a focus on the continuity of the musical discourse.

The album consolidates a proposal that positions Sears in contemporary jazz as a composer focused on the relationship between form, abstraction, and collective construction.