• Vijay Iyer Trio Announces Return To Village Vanguard January 28-February 2, 2025

  • Vijay Iyer (Piano), Linda May Han Oh (Bass), Tyshawn Sorey (Drums) To Perform Selections From Latest Release Compassion

“Irresistibly listenable, an immersive 66 minutes that exhales a particular aesthetic history even as it pulls on the pain and anxiety of our present.” – Pitchfork

“This exquisite album quietly ups the ante on 21st-century modern jazz piano trio excursions.” – Downbeat

Iyer Featured On New Single From Ganavya Released Today, Listen To “Om Supreme”: 

October 4, 2024 — Vijay Iyer Trio has announced their return to the Village Vanguard in Manhattan, for a run of performances from January 28 to February 2, 2025.  The trio, featuring Vijay Iyer on piano, Linda May Han Oh on bass, and Tyshawn Sorey on drums, will perform selections from their latest album Compassion, released earlier this year on ECM.      

Compassion has been widely celebrated, with raves from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Pitchfork and beyond.  It has been featured on a number of Best Of Albums (So Far) lists, including the Washington Post (#1), Boston Globe, and #1 on the ArtsFuse Mid-Year Jazz Critics Poll.  Iyer is also included several times throughout DownBeat’s 2024 Critics Poll, including Jazz Album of the Year (Compassion, #4), Artist of the Year, Jazz Group (Vijay Iyer Trio), Piano and Composer.  Watch a recap here: https://youtu.be/fcI-fgyS5PI?si=je2riqhj2m1js1V0 

Iyer – described as “one of the best in the world at what he does” by Pitchfork – has been busy as a collaborator, featured on new albums from Heems, Arooj Aftab and Moor Mother.  A new album from Boston Modern Orchestra Project performing his original compositions was released in June, followed by three world premiere performances of his works in August and September; Yale University’s Musical Bridges Project commission performed by the Norfolk Chamber Ensemble, an NEA-commissioned duo with Graham Haynes and seven compositions performed by The Manchester Collective at Wigmore Hall garnering a five-star review in the London Times.  Last year his project with Aftab and Shahzad Ismaily – Love In Exile – earned two GRAMMY nominations, appeared on several Best of 2023 Albums lists, and earned a Pitchfork Best New Music designation.    

GANAVYA SINGLE

Today a new piece of music from Ganavya’s forthcoming album has been released, which features Iyer at the piano. Listen to “Om Supreme” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuaMKjHh1Kc  

Iyer has been busy on an ongoing international tour with his trio and in other duo and solo configurations, including a free concert in NYC’s Bryant Park for over 4000 people.  Upcoming appearances include at SF Jazz Festival November 1 and 2 with May Han Oh and Sorey, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with Jennifer Koh on November 16.  See below for his full itinerary.  

Listen to Compassion selections here:

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Praise for Compassion

“It’s as if this band wants to both seduce you and discomfit you, stripping you of everything but the ability to think and see for yourself.” – NY Times

“It’s a sound that isn’t trying to impress you so much as involve you…a highlight on the acclaimed pianist’s path in and out of jazz.” – Washington Post 

“[Compassion] revels in dynamics that are calibrated with great care and, at times, achieve startling force.” – Wall Street Journal

“It moves with unity and hits with a precise, joyous intensity.” – Boston Globe, 20 Best Albums of 2024 (So Far)

“Irresistibly listenable, an immersive 66 minutes that exhales a particular aesthetic history even as it pulls on the pain and anxiety of our present.” – Pitchfork

“This exquisite album quietly ups the ante on 21st-century modern jazz piano trio excursions.” – Downbeat

“Vijay Iyer Trio forges telepathic connections on Compassion.” – WNYC Soundcheck

“[The Trio] bring a fresh, intensely interactive, seemingly time-elasticizing approach to the jazz piano trio that is at once bracingly kinetic, intimate, and lyrical.” – All Music

“Easily one of the most notable contemporary pianists working today, [Iyer] continues to forge a distinct style and expression of sound.” – Spectrum Culture

“[The title track] is a revelatory preview of the full album—and may well be the most peaceful five minutes of your day.” – Aquarium Drunkard

“A masterful work that overflows with beauty, feeling, warmth and sensitivity. Like so much great art, Compassion mirrors the best of the human spirit and elevates that spirit.” – Forbes

“Compassion reveals one of today’s most fully rounded piano trios on their second foray, transportive music of the highest caliber…[Compassion] hits with power, sensitivity and intensity” – Glide Magazine

“Having toured together since releasing Uneasy, the trio’s chemistry is even stronger on Compassion, and they continue to convey so much through these instrumentals. Vijay’s piano playing in particular is dripping with emotion.” – Brooklyn Vegan

“The visionary musician [Iyer] leads an ensemble that formulates an exquisite redefinition of jazz’s well-established instrumental concept of the piano trio.” – All About Jazz

“With stellar compositions, performances, and energy, Compassion contains some of his most immediately enjoyable music without sacrificing any of his usual complexity.” – PopMatters

“Everything Iyer does is grounded on a foundation of considered thought and intention…Iyer and company certainly aren’t lacking in inspiration. And this album, on which there’s not a weak moment to be found, will doubtlessly prove inspiring to others.” – Jazziz