Featured Artist: Vijay Iyer Trio

CD Title: Historicity

Year: 2009

Record Label: ACT

Style: Various Jazz Styles

Musicians: Vijay Iyer (piano), Stephan Crump (bass), Marcus Gilmore (drums)

Review: Pianist Vijay Iyer relates Historicity to “the simple fact of being placed in the stream of history,” here, on this 2009 trio date. Holding advanced degrees in physics and technology, the artist imparts an acute ideological perspective to serve as the underscore for these bustling and largely, energetic performances. A major talent within global jazz settings, Iyer’s divergent stylizations and superior technique spirals his stature to the upper echelon of jazz heroes, all embedded with his nouveau vision and spirited gait.

Revered for his solo outings and collaborations with fellow rising star, and saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa among others, the pianist endows a distinct aura to the historical jazz piano trio format. Marked by unequivocal emotive aspects, framed on verve and the scintillating group-centric vibe, Iyer executes an oscillating string of events that moves rapidly, like the swiftly changing environment we inhabit. With expansive and explosive sub-themes, his briskly enacted progressions and rhythmically charged block chords ride atop the rhythm section’s buoyantly powerful undercurrents.

The album features a potpourri of Iyer original comps while covering works by pianist Andrew Hill, Stevie Wonder and other notables. And he renders a mesmeric and swirling take on the late, influential saxophonist/composer Julius Hemphill’s piece “Dogon A.D. Here, the trio morphs a staggered rock pulse into a hammering and uncannily eloquent muse, counterbalanced by bassist Stephan Crump’s weeping, arco-bass lines. They project moments of despair and praise, while conveying mobility throughout.

The band is apt to hammer a primary theme into submission, or lower the temperature with memorably melodic intervals. At times busy, yet purposeful, evidenced on saxophonist Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Brew (Trixation Version),” where Crump and drummer Marcus Gilmore lay down a pulsating straight-four rock beat. The pianist complements and counters with a bluesy, laid-back groove, followed by cascading chord developments and increasing intensity.

Iyer is a master inventor and spins new propositions on the roads frequently travelled. The artist tenders an insightful program, teeming with thrills a minute while attaining an equal balance of structure and improvisation. Moreover, the trio’s rocketing impetus comprise moments of grace, sophistication and sheer firepower. It’s cunning, exclusive, heady, and highly-entertaining, sort of like an action-packed movie thriller.

Record Label Website: http://www.actmusic.com

Artist's Website: http://www.vijay-iyer.com

Reviewed by: Glenn Astarita

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