Vijay Iyer’s music is ethereal and dramatic, but he is certainly far from theatrical. The man, who is best known for his experimental and jubilant style, is both observing and sincere in his conversations. He likes to hear a good question, answers to the point, corrects pertinent facts, plays with meaningful laughs in between, and sometimes even comments on weird notions. He is certainly a ‘man of few words’ and very professional in his own ways.
Shifting to his artistic side, Iyer has several accomplishments to his name. He is a composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, writer, but the world best knows him as a jazz pianist, who in recent times has garnered much attention in the world of music. In his selections, Iyer always tries to bring in patterns from across the history of jazz, hip hop, South Asian diaspora, Indian classical, abstract electronics, chamber music and more.
Those who know him understand that Iyer’s main platform is the trio format with piano, bass and drums, but his novelty to expand the format while working on musical ideas has set drums rolling.
Now, his audience will get a unique opportunity to witness his style in a more expansive format at the 2017 Ojai Music Festival that will take place from June 8-11. Talking about his elastic compositions and curating experience at the festival, Iyer tells IJ, “I am looking forward to a weekend of stimulation and reflection at Ojai that will celebrate diverse communities of music, artists, and collaborations. When I was proposed the role of Music Director for the Music Festival, it came as a shock to me but as an artist, I like to insert myself into experimental situations and our 2017 festival feels like a good opportunity to update the idea of what music is today. I am sure we all are going to learn so much over those few days in June.”
A MacArthur Fellow, Iyer will join the leagues of Wadada Leo Smith, Muhal Richard Abrams, Roscoe Mitchell, Claire Chase, Tyshawn Sorey, George Lewis’, Joelle Lamarre, Gwendolyn Brown, JuLian Otis, Steven Schick, Sean Griffin, György Kurtág, Lawrence D., and many more astounding artists at Ojai.
Very enthusiastic and eager to work with them, he states, “At Ojai, I will collaborate with people, who inspire me and whom I’ve known and trusted through 20 years of musical exploration. The journey, over a two year period, was a very organic process.”
At the 4-day event, Iyer will also team up with his long-time associate Rudresh Mahanthappa and two living giants of Indian classical music, Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain.
Happy to work with the trio, Iyer mentions, “This is a dream ensemble 20 years in the making. Rudresh Mahanthappa has been a very important part of my life. Zakir Hussain is the prime reason music sounds like it does today. Aruna Sairam on the other hand is an icon of south Indian Carnatic music and an innovator who moves across traditions in many different ways. I couldn’t be more excited.” When questioned- “How is the Ojai music festival different from other festival and concerts,” he says the difference lies in the fact that he has been chosen to play the role of a curator. Notably, he is the first from the South-Asian American community to play the curator’s role at the Ojai Music Festival. He, however, declined to comment about racism in the music industry.
Interestingly, Iyer’s position at the intersection of two parallel traditions make him one of the most interesting curator of all times. As put in words by festival’s Artistic Director Thomas W. Morris, “Vijay believes a life in the arts is a life of service in imagining, building, and enacting community that transcends heritage, nation, and creed. The 2017 Festival reflects these beliefs in the range of collaborators joining us.”
Nevertheless, Iyer is going to stay busy this whole year for his list of performances is long and interesting. After Ojai, he can be heard at Moldejazz Festival in Norway; Festival International De Jazz de Montreal, Canada; Wigmore Hall, London; Fort Adams State Park, Newport. In 2018, he is also likely to show up at our very own Walt Disney Concert Hall, in downtown Los Angeles.
He dons several other feathers in his cap. When not teaching young talents at Harvard University, Iyer likes to spend time with family as he says, “my young daughter is also involved in several interesting activities”. His fond musical memories of childhood include growing up and playing piano with his sister. When he is not working on music, Iyer loves to hear Stevie Wonder and go back in time. As he concludes, “I am always on the lookout for something that excites me, is different, unique and catches my attention. My advice to beginners is, ‘follow your dreams and always play with heart, also keep experimenting with different types of music’.”
Iyer was named Downbeat Magazine’s Jazz Artist of the Year for 2012, 2015, and 2016, and he received a 2016 US Artists Fellowship, 2013 MacArthur Fellowship, a 2012 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and a 2011 Grammy nomination. Till date, he has released twenty-one albums and his forthcoming album is expected to be out by the end of 2017. The Ojai Music Festival is expected to draw thousands of curious and engaged music enthusiasts from across the country. As tickets remain in high demand, one can also experience through live and archived video streaming at OjaiFestival.org. The tickets, ranging from $140 to $860 for reserved seating, and lawn series passes start at $60, can be purchased online at OjaiFestival.org or by calling (805) 646-2053.
Those who know him understand that Iyer’s main platform is the trio format with piano, bass and drums, but his novelty to expand the format while working on musical ideas has set drums rolling.
Now, his audience will get a unique opportunity to witness his style in a more expansive format at the 2017 Ojai Music Festival that will take place from June 8-11. Talking about his elastic compositions and curating experience at the festival, Iyer tells IJ, “I am looking forward to a weekend of stimulation and reflection at Ojai that will celebrate diverse communities of music, artists, and collaborations. When I was proposed the role of Music Director for the Music Festival, it came as a shock to me but as an artist, I like to insert myself into experimental situations and our 2017 festival feels like a good opportunity to update the idea of what music is today. I am sure we all are going to learn so much over those few days in June.”
A MacArthur Fellow, Iyer will join the leagues of Wadada Leo Smith, Muhal Richard Abrams, Roscoe Mitchell, Claire Chase, Tyshawn Sorey, George Lewis’, Joelle Lamarre, Gwendolyn Brown, JuLian Otis, Steven Schick, Sean Griffin, György Kurtág, Lawrence D., and many more astounding artists at Ojai.
Very enthusiastic and eager to work with them, he states, “At Ojai, I will collaborate with people, who inspire me and whom I’ve known and trusted through 20 years of musical exploration. The journey, over a two year period, was a very organic process.”
At the 4-day event, Iyer will also team up with his long-time associate Rudresh Mahanthappa and two living giants of Indian classical music, Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain.
Happy to work with the trio, Iyer mentions, “This is a dream ensemble 20 years in the making. Rudresh Mahanthappa has been a very important part of my life. Zakir Hussain is the prime reason music sounds like it does today. Aruna Sairam on the other hand is an icon of south Indian Carnatic music and an innovator who moves across traditions in many different ways. I couldn’t be more excited.” When questioned- “How is the Ojai music festival different from other festival and concerts,” he says the difference lies in the fact that he has been chosen to play the role of a curator. Notably, he is the first from the South-Asian American community to play the curator’s role at the Ojai Music Festival. He, however, declined to comment about racism in the music industry.
Interestingly, Iyer’s position at the intersection of two parallel traditions make him one of the most interesting curator of all times. As put in words by festival’s Artistic Director Thomas W. Morris, “Vijay believes a life in the arts is a life of service in imagining, building, and enacting community that transcends heritage, nation, and creed. The 2017 Festival reflects these beliefs in the range of collaborators joining us.”
Nevertheless, Iyer is going to stay busy this whole year for his list of performances is long and interesting. After Ojai, he can be heard at Moldejazz Festival in Norway; Festival International De Jazz de Montreal, Canada; Wigmore Hall, London; Fort Adams State Park, Newport. In 2018, he is also likely to show up at our very own Walt Disney Concert Hall, in downtown Los Angeles.
He dons several other feathers in his cap. When not teaching young talents at Harvard University, Iyer likes to spend time with family as he says, “my young daughter is also involved in several interesting activities”. His fond musical memories of childhood include growing up and playing piano with his sister. When he is not working on music, Iyer loves to hear Stevie Wonder and go back in time. As he concludes, “I am always on the lookout for something that excites me, is different, unique and catches my attention. My advice to beginners is, ‘follow your dreams and always play with heart, also keep experimenting with different types of music’.”
Iyer was named Downbeat Magazine’s Jazz Artist of the Year for 2012, 2015, and 2016, and he received a 2016 US Artists Fellowship, 2013 MacArthur Fellowship, a 2012 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and a 2011 Grammy nomination. Till date, he has released twenty-one albums and his forthcoming album is expected to be out by the end of 2017. The Ojai Music Festival is expected to draw thousands of curious and engaged music enthusiasts from across the country. As tickets remain in high demand, one can also experience through live and archived video streaming at OjaiFestival.org. The tickets, ranging from $140 to $860 for reserved seating, and lawn series passes start at $60, can be purchased online at OjaiFestival.org or by calling (805) 646-2053.
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