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Rudresh Mahanthappa
Hailed by Pitchfork as “jaw-dropping… one of the finest saxophonists going,” alto saxophonist, composer and educator Rudresh Mahanthappa is widely known as one of the premier voices in jazz of the 21st century. He has over a dozen albums to his credit, including the acclaimed Bird Calls, which topped many critics’ best-of-year lists for 2015 and was hailed by PopMatters as “complex, rhythmically vital, free in spirit while still criss-crossed with mutating structures.” His most recent release, Hero Trio, was considered to be one of the best jazz albums of 2020 by critics and fans alike. Rudresh has been named alto saxophonist of the year for nine of the last eleven years running in Downbeat Magazine’s International Critics’ Polls (2011-2013, 2015-2018, 2020-1), and for five consecutive years by the Jazz Journalists’ Association (2009-2013) and again in 2016. He won alto saxophonist of the year in the 2015-2018 & 2020 JazzTimes Magazine Critics’ Polls and was named the Village Voice’s "Best Jazz Artist" in 2015. He has also received the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, among other honors, and is currently the Anthony H. P. Lee ’79 Director of Jazz at Princeton University.
Born in Trieste, Italy to Indian émigrés in 1971, Mahanthappa was brought up in Boulder, Colorado and gained proficiency playing everything from current pop to Dixieland. He went on to studies at North Texas, Berklee and DePaul University (as well as the Stanford Jazz Workshop) and came to settle in Chicago. Soon after moving to New York in 1997 he formed his own quartet featuring pianist Vijay Iyer. The band recorded an enduring sequence of albums, Black Water, Mother Tongue and Codebook, each highlighting Mahanthappa’s inventive methodologies and deeply personal approach to composition. He and Iyer also formed the duo Raw Materials.
Coming deeper into contact with the Carnatic music of his parents’ native southern India, Mahanthappa partnered in 2008 with fellow altoist Kadri Gopalnath and the Dakshina Ensemble for Kinsmen, garnering wide acclaim. Apti, the first outing by Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition (with Pakistani-born Rez Abbasi on guitar and Dan Weiss on tabla), saw release the same year; Agrima followed nine years later and considerably expanded the trio’s sonic ambitions. In 2020, Rudresh released Hero Trio, an album of “covers” paying tribute to his musical heroes followed by the digital EP Animal Crossing in 2022 with the same trio. He also co-led a project celebrating the centenary of Charlie Parker with the blessing of the Parker estate.
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Michael Dease: Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Paul Rauch
Leaving a legacy in this life is a subject that holds different meanings for people. For some, it involves building a structure of permanence that will stand up to the test of time after one's entrance into eternity. For others, it is more fleeting, something that can be shaped and reshaped, and if desired, completely torn down. For some it is a function of building a monument to oneself. For others, like Central Michigan composer/arranger Gregg Hill, it is a ...
Continue ReadingMichael Dease: Found in Space - The Music of Gregg Hill
by Bill Milkowski
The title itself is revealing. A clever play on words of the old '60s sci-fi show Lost in Space, it immediately suggests an irreverent wit and slightly twisted perspective; qualities that also permeate the unique music of prolific Michigan-based composer Gregg Hill. How this fairly obscure presence on the national music scene has managed to garner such a fervent following remains a mystery to those of us outside the Great Lakes State. Converts include bassist-educator Rodney Whitaker, Director ...
Continue ReadingMichael Dease: Best Next Thing
by Kyle Simpler
Like many other talented musicians, Michael Dease always looks for ways to take his music to the next level. He is continually exploring and looking ahead rather than simply resting on his laurels. Because of this passion and determination, he has earned a reputation as a top session player and as a band leader in his own right. Best Next Thing is Dease's ninth album for Posi-Tone Records, and it is an impressive addition to his discography. With ...
Continue ReadingRudresh Mahanthappa, Emile Parisien & Felix Henkelhausen
by Maurice Hogue
Several debut recordings on this episode for you and music from Rudresh Mahanthappa & his Hero Trio, drummer Maximilian Hering from Germany, bassist Felix Henkelhausen also from Germany, the trio In Real Time (Carol Liebowitz, Adam Lane & Andrew Drury), Argentinean bass clarinetist Emma Famin, French saxophonist Emile Parisien & the striking duo of saxophonist Dave Rempis and drummer Avreeayl Ra. Playlist Andrew Cyrille, Enrico Rava & William Parker Improvisation No. 1" from 2 Blues For Cecil (Tum ...
Continue ReadingRudresh Mahanthappa: Sounds of Home and Heroes
by Russell Perry
In the 13 years since 2008, the alto saxophone award in the annual Jazz Journalists Association awards program has gone to either Rudresh Mahanthappa or Miguel Zenón ten times. Despite having very different sounds and approaches to the saxophone, their creative paths have much in common. Both began recording around the turn of the century. Both have paid homage to major alto heroes Mahantahappa to Charlie Parker and Zenón to Ornette Coleman. And both have explored the intersection of their ...
Continue ReadingRudresh Mahanthappa and His Heroes
by David Bixler
Rudresh Mahanthappa's latest recording, Hero Trio, pays tribute to his musical heroes. We spoke to the alto saxophonist about his new trio release featuring Francois Moutin on bass and Rudy Royston on drums and cymbals and how Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Stevie Wonder, and yes even Johnny Cash have influenced his musical world. ...
Continue ReadingBird at 100: Rudresh Mahanthappa, Joe Lovano, Vincent Herring and More
by Russell Perry
Charlie Parker was born 100 years ago (August 29, 1920). Although he died at the age of 34 in 1955, his legacy is so powerful that jazz would have been very different without his contributions. In the intervening 65 years, Bird's music has continued to influence and inspire several generations of players and fans. In the past decade, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Joe Lovano and the alto trio of Vincent Herring, Gary Bartz and Bobby Watson have dedicated projects to his music. ...
Continue ReadingTues., Oct. 13: Rudresh Mahanthappa Celebrates 'Hero Trio' With Streaming Album Release Concert
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Alto saxophone star Rudresh Mahanthappa celebrates the release of Hero Trio—a wide-ranging session encompassing the music of his formative influences including Charlie Parker, Stevie Wonder, Keith Jarrett, Ornette Coleman and Johnny Cash—with a live stream of the pre-recorded album concert along with a live Q & A moderated by Nate Chinen of WBGO. The event takes place on Tuesday, October 13 at 3 and 8 p.m. EDT. Tickets are $10. Get tickets The last time Rudresh Mahanthappa went into the ...
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Jazz At Princeton University Announces Dynamic 2018-2019 Season November 14, 2018 – May 11, 2019
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Jazz at Princeton University, helmed by acclaimed saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, presents a dynamic and compelling 2018-2019 Season, November 14, 2018 – May 11, 2019. Highlights include performances by student groups joined by guest artists including Blue Note Records trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, legendary vocalist Nnenna Freelon, and Grammy winner and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. In April, Jazz at Princeton will present Princeton University’s first-ever outdoor Jazz Festival. “This year’s Jazz at Princeton program is going to be extraordinary,” says Mahanthappa. “With ...
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This Is Your Vinyl Notice
Source:
Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
The long-playing 33&1/3 RPM record is far from dead. Following up on the July 12 Rifftides review of Duck Baker’s LP of Thelonious Monk compositions, here are three other relatively recent vinyl albums worthy of your acquaintance. Rudresh Mahanthappa Indo-Pak Coalition, Agrima (Mahanthappa) Nine years following their first album, Apti, alto saxophonist Mahanthappa’s trio further expand on the possibilities in combining music from his double heritage, American and Pakistani. Accompanied by the formidably energetic drummer and tabla player Dan Weiss ...
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Jazz At Princeton University Announces Broad And Dynamic 2017-2018 Season: October 14, 2017 – May 12, 2018
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Jazz at Princeton University, helmed by acclaimed saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, presents a rich and varied 2017-2018 season, October 14, 2017 – May 12, 2018. Highlights include performances by student groups joined by guest artists including celebrated pianist Gerald Clayton, renowned vocalist Theo Bleckmann, saxophone legend Archie Shepp with Amina Claudine Myers, and venerable Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez. “I am thrilled to build upon what we started last year in presenting the myriad voices that make up this living art form ...
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Jazz This Week: Rudresh Mahanthappa, Miles Davis Memorial Project Fundraiser, and More
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
This week brings both the official start of spring and an assortment of jazz and creative music music performances in and around St. Louis, including the local debut of a fast-rising saxophone star; a couple of big band concerts; a benefit to raise money for a statue honoring Miles Davis, and much more. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa (pictured) makes his St. Louis debut, opening a four-night stand with his band Gamak at Jazz at the ...
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Rudresh Mahanthappa's "Gamak" - Album Release at le Poisson Rouge, Thursday, April 11
Source:
DL Media
Mahanthappa’s Thirteenth Album, Gamak, Continues the Saxophonist’s Multi-Directional Evolution as a Leader Alto saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa is scheduled to perform with his new quartet, Gamak, at Le Poisson Rouge in New York on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30pm. The performance is in support of the group’s self-titled release (available January 29 via ACT Music) and will feature guitarist David “Fuze” Fiuczynski, bassist François Moutin and drummer Dan Weiss. The idea of hybridity has been central to the music of Mahanthappa ...
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Rudresh Mahanthappa Leads His Quintet For The New York Premiere of Samdhi Suite In Zankel Hall On Saturday, April 21
Source:
Michael Ricci
On Saturday, April 21 at 10:00 p.m. in Zankel Hall, jazz saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa leads his quintet in its first performance at Carnegie Hall as they perform the New York premiere of the Samdhi Suite in its complete form. Samdhi Suite is an electro-acoustic work that combines the complex melodic and rhythmic elements of Carnatic (or South Indian) music with jazz in ways previously unheard. For this performance, the alto saxophonistrecently named both a Guggenheim fellow and the 2011 Downbeat ...
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Press fro Hero Trio:
RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA – HERO TRIO
Rudresh is “making truly some of the most original jazz out there at the moment." – Brian Zimmerman, Jazziz
One of “the best jazz recordings of 2020 to date…. Mahanthappa salutes the musical heroes who have shaped his art… a bracing reexamination of music by these innovators, as filtered through a bebop and post-bop lens. Mahanthappa’s ferocity of expression and technical fluidity in Parker’s ‘Red Cross’ and other works underscores just how deeply Bird has influenced him.” – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
Primary Instrument
Saxophone, alto
Location
Newark
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Charlie Parker
saxophone, altoPhotos
Music
The Last Pop Tune
From: Found in Space: The Music of...By Rudresh Mahanthappa
Apti
From: AptiBy Rudresh Mahanthappa
Enhanced Performance
From: CodebookBy Rudresh Mahanthappa