Vijay Iyer & Jeremy Denk: 2013 MacArthur Geniuses

[relyles]

In that general vein --- combining jazz elements with elements from the subcontinent, if that is an accurate way to put it -- I prefer the work of Boulder, Co.-based altoist-composer Aakash Mittal, who I believe has studied with Mahanthappa and also is a friend of his. Mittal and his bandmates are more inclined to play with and off of the fairly elaborate rhythmic and melodic patterns they set up. The "clave" (to mix musics) is there and is felt, but it's not all that one hears.

Some Mittal info and clips:

http://www.aakashmittal.com/live/

I heard him live in Chicago about two months ago with his regular quartet and trumpeter Russ Johnson and was impressed. His most recent album "Ocean," featuring the same material from that gig but with Ron Miles on trumpet, is very good IMO.

By coincidence earlier today I was reading about the new Dennis Gonzalez Yels at Els recording with Mittal. I had never heard of him before, but may have to check him out.