These two visionary, award-winning innovators have gained tremendous recognition from critics, audiences, and musicians alike as world-class improvisers and composers, outspoken young Asian American voices, and important forces in the music world. Since 1996, alongside simultaneous vibrant solo careers, Iyer and Mahanthappa have worked together constantly as a duo, performing their wildly inventive, collaborative music to widespread acclaim around the world.
Years from now, listeners surely will marvel at one of the great partnerships in jazz: saxophonist RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA and pianist VIJAY IYER. Each has gone a long way toward infusing the music with elements of South Indian culture. Together, they have pointed jazz in a new direction—or at least developed Eastern elements that long have been dormant in the music. – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune