Welcome
Described by The New York Times as a “social conscience, multimedia collaborator, system builder, rhapsodist, historical thinker and multicultural gateway,” Vijay Iyer has carved out a unique path as an influential, prolific, shape-shifting presence in twenty-first-century music. A composer and pianist active and revered across multiple musical communities, Iyer has created a consistently innovative, emotionally resonant body of work over the last twenty-five years, earning him a place as one of the leading music-makers of his generation…
NEWS: Fifteen
Threadgill / Iyer / Prieto
Released August 21 on Nonesuch
Fifteen, the first album from the collective trio of saxophonist and flutist Henry Threadgill pianist Vijay Iyer, and drummer Dafnis Prieto, is out August 21, 2026 on Nonesuch Records.
It is the label debut for all three musicians. The record takes its name from the number of years the trio has been performing together – first at a series of benefits for the New York City club The Jazz Gallery, a club they have since played at periodically, and then around the US and internationally.
It comprises three compositions by Threadgill and Iyer and two by Prieto.
Performances will be announced soon.
In the Press
“The title refers to the number of years this trio has been performing, but not recording — until now. The wait has been worth it. It unites the Chicagoan reeds veteran Henry Threadgill with the Indian-American pianist Vijay Iyer and the Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto. Threadgill is an avant-garde giant, and his confreres here are equally intrepid, but fear not: no special knowledge is required. This is music that speaks to the heart.”
– The Times (5 Stars)
“Iyer’s “I Wanted a Map,” with its title taken from an Eve Ewing poem, is subtly anthemic. Threadgill’s alto solo is all insight and emotion.”
– Brad Farberman TIDAL Playlisters’ A-Listers, Vol. 53
- Jazzwise
- The Guardian – Jazz Album of the Month
- Media Room
- The Observer
- Bandcamp Album of the Day
- Stereogum (paywalled)
- Bill Milkowski Substack
- Cultural Attaché
Media Room Live! With Vijay Iyer by Frank Housh
We Talk About Music, Math, And The Legendary Henry Threadgill
Read on SubstackNEWS: Vijay on Nonesuch Selects
Vijay stopped by the Nonesuch office, to pick some of his favorite albums from the music library, and share a few words on their choices.
Opening music: “Gently Trapped” by Henry Threadgill, Vijay Iyer, and Dafnis Prieto
Vijay Iyer’s Nonesuch Selects
0:19 Javanese Court Gamelan nonesuch.lnk.to/JavaCourtGamelan
1:28 Ramnad Krishnan’s ‘Vidwan: Songs of the Carnatic Tradition’ ramnadkrishnan.lnk.to/Vidwan
2:39 Laurie Anderson’s ‘Big Science’ laurieanderson.lnk.to/bigscience
4:02 Julius Hemphill Big Band juliushemphill.lnk.to/bigband
5:44 Kronos Quartet’s ‘Black Angels’ kronosquartet.lnk.to/blackangels
6:51 Cécile McLorin Salvant’s ‘Oh Snap’ cecilemclorinsalvant.lnk.to/o…
Video by Robert Edridge-Waks
NEWS: Khan / Iyer / Mitta EP: Sanctuary
In December, together with sarode player Alam Khan (son of the late Ali Akbar Khan) and Nitin Mitta on tabla, Iyer released a collaborative a EP titled Sanctuary.
According to San Francisco Classical Voice, “Although it is common to hear a sarod and tabla together, the addition of the piano… gives the music a stunning ethereal dimension.”
NEWS: Fieldwork release: Thereupon
Thereupon is the long-anticipated return of the all-star collaborative trio Fieldwork, which has been described by NPR as a “power trio for the new century.” This long-standing collective comprises three internationally revered innovators of contemporary music: alto saxophonist-composer Steve Lehman, pianist-composer Vijay Iyer, and drummer-composer Tyshawn Sorey. In the seventeen years since their last recording, Door (Pi), all three musicians have climbed to the pinnacle of the creative music scene and received universal acclaim for their work, each one significantly reshaping the language of creative music in his own way. Remarkably, as Fieldwork, the whole is even greater than the sum of its parts, as the group continues to redefine the possibilities for ensemble music-making.
NEWS: Defiant Life – 20 Best Albums of the Year (So Far)
REVIEWS:
(So Far)
“this album is again an absolute winner. Don’t miss it!”
FULL REVIEW
NEWS: Compassion album reviews
Vijay Iyer Trio – “Best of 2024″
The Arts Fuse – Top Jazz Albums of 2024
“The 19th Annual Francis Davis Jazz Poll: The Shape of Jazz That Keeps Us Going – Vijay Iyer #2”
JazzTimes 2024 Year in Review, Part 1 – The Rhythm Avant-Garde
“It’s a searching and in many ways accessible document, animated by spirits ranging from Roscoe Mitchell and Geri Allen to Stevie Wonder.”
The Guardian – The 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2024
“Melodically alluring, rhythmically invigorating, deviously dazzling music.”
Washington Post Best Albums 2024
“Iyer makes this trio’s swapping of virtuoso gestures feel like a metaphor for human cooperation at the highest levels.”
Aquarium Drunkard 2024 Year in Review
“…a stunning listen start to finish.”
PopMatters Best Jazz Albums
“The balance of pensive, searching, introspection, and fire is just about perfect.”
NPR: The 50 Best Albums of 2024
“Turbulence and grace […]
RECENT RELEASES:
Vijay Iyer / Wadada Leo Smith – Defiant Life
Release Date: 21 March 2025
- The New York City Jazz Record
“The album is pure magic.”Defiant Life
“This recording session was conditioned by our ongoing sorrow and outrage over the past year’s cruelties, but also by our faith in human possibility.” – Vijay Iyer
- New York Times
“The collection leaves you grateful for the Boston Modern Orchestra Project’s usual confident performances, and wanting to hear more from Iyer the composer.”Trouble
Approaching its landmark 100th album, the Grammy Award-winning Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) led by conductor Gil Rose releases Vijay Iyer: Trouble on its eponymous label, BMOP/sound.
- Wall Street Journal
“among modern music’s most compelling vocalists”Om Supreme
The album – which also brings the Hindu tradition of harikatha into the 21st century – draws upon a vast cast of contributors across multiple disciplines, among them Esperanza Spalding, Vijay Iyer, Shabaka Hutchings…
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