Guitar player and composer Jeff Parker is perhaps best known for his contributions to contemporary jazz, experimental music, and post-rock as a long-standing member of the group Tortoise. Parker has also flourished through countless solo outings and collaborations with acts including the Chicago Underground Quartet, Isotope 217, and the New Breed. His latest endeavor, the ETA IVtet, is a Los Angeles-based outfit featuring drummer Jay Bellerose, double bassist Anna Butterss, and alto saxophonist Josh Johnson.
In November, Parker and the ETA IVtet unveiled their second album, The Way Out of Easy, on International Anthem Recording Company. The record showcases Parker’s signature blend of adventurous improvisation, harmonic sophistication, and a deep groove, seamlessly bridging tradition and experimentation.
The group takes its name from the L.A. bar where they held a weekly residency from 2016 until it closed in December 2024.
With The Way Out of Easy, Parker and Co. reaffirm their place as formidable players at the forefront of contemporary music, pushing boundaries while remaining rooted in timeless expression via four improvised pieces bearing titles such as “Freakadelic,” “Late Autumn,” the album’s title track, and “Chrome Dome.” Press play below.
Jeff Parker’s ETA IVtet plays the Garden Club at Wild Heaven West End on Tuesday, April 1. $25 (adv). $30 (day of). Doors open at 7 p.m. Music starts at 8 p.m.
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