What a talent! Vijay is forging a fresh path in the evolution of jazz piano. Gilmore and Crumb are awesome too. I remember having the same sense of wonder when the Brad Mehldau Trio came on the scene. A terrific upload -thank you.
Vijay is the most unusual pianist-self taught after becoming bored with classical violin and then getting a PhD in Acoustic physics! He is so brilliant he is an alien. His style is percussive, rhythmic, driving, searching, not "tinkly" like some bar pianist (that is good too). This trio is becoming legendary. Awesome stuff.
Freshest improvisational music I have heard for a long time; courageously rubato, grace notes become phrases, the episodes seldom seeking resolution. His percussive pianistic style has over arching not thematic so much as persistent attitudes. One forgives the intermittent hysterical climatic drama while swinging to his restless searching and partitioning of almost melodies. His piano posture would make my mother shout in disapproval of what she would have called "stiff fingered chopping". His back to front feathery strokes is a ballet not piano playing. I wonder at his fast passages with stiff fingers. How does he do it? He wants unexpected dynamics in volume, pace . rhythm. and harmony (what there is of it). His is a remarkably new voice and I for one am grateful for the experience
hahaha yep :). I'm an upcoming pro jazz drummer, he is most likely the best drummer alive right now, and that has ever existed. that being said , you can't really be "better" than the greats like brian blade or antonio sanchez. but still I hope you get what I mean
I'm amazed when people call this "boring." Odd minor harmonies, time modulations for days, and one of the best drummers on the planet. This can be called a lot of things, but "boring" seems an odd choice. I guess music is in the ear of the beholder.
Another great jazz lion out there not playing it safe and pushing it forward---refreshing to hear! As a community of musicans, we must always support players like this who are willing to advance this great American idiom forward
I always wonder about jazz... there's no way he can ever reproduce that performance. Just read article in New Yorker, that's why I'm here. Kudos to Vijay... doing what he loves. Inspiring to me... I can read music but play ditties by ear... now I'm going to try jazz!
That's the beauty and curse of jazz. Don't get me wrong. The fact that at its core it is so impromptu gives it that special edginess over other forms of music. Its not that Jazz cannot be transcribed and when one does so, what's the point.
Muy bueno. Buenisimo. Muy buen Trio que suena como UNO. Recuerdo las fantasticas grabaciones del famoso trio de Keith Jarret / GPeacock / Jack DeJohnette.
Oh god. Watch cymbal shimmer at 2:23. That's like porn for me. What an amazing group. Vijay Iyer is definitely one of my favorite modern piano players.
Music best rendered in the intimate space. Something ultimately gets lost with festival crowds, playing and listening- wise. Ofcourse, I'm generalizing...
There's some pointillism in there and motivic dev. but I'm not hear the influence of the brilliant composers--VanHuesen on back to Porter, Rodgers, Gershwin, Arlen, Berlin, etc. It was a sophisticate art yet naive, full of resplendent melody that frequently took its place with Puccini. The result was the neo-romantic art of a Bill Evans, whose music soars on Rachmaninoff lyricism into the deepest regions of the human heart, on the one hand, and the strictly Americanized / urbanized versions of striking beauty in the ceaselessly varied urban soul of Hank Mobley. Much of this is reminiscent of Brubeck, but when he did not express these unique melodies of a new form of popular composition, he retained the form. His work prior to "Time Out" was the fitting call to jazz to scale back from big bands and dancing and to be modern. But it presumed knowledge jazz as an art with a tradition and a legacy. From Louis to Hawk to Bird, the standard was the proving ground and the Billy Eckstine Orchestra became the "school of bebop" that you had graduate from before the possibility of swing and melody taking flight in the new Birdsong.
Great playing. Only an embittered, frustrated modern Classical music snob w/o a palate for modern Jazz would say stupid things like ' his touch is in desperate need of improvement', 'horrible time feel'. You know who you are.
Absolutely. Those classical idiots are unbelievable...and then they complain that nobody gives a shit about what they do anymore. The only people who still cares about them (and not for long, I guess) are the Chinese...
I don't get this comment. I know a lot of classical musicians who appreciate jazz music. I do know one who doesn't, but I don't think she understands a thing of music at all, even though she's in the conservatory lol...
My comment wasn't addressed to 'every Classical player', just to the one guy who tried to judge Vijay Iyer's take on 'Giant Steps' by attacking it via Classical music standards/objectives/concerns. (read the whole comment thread and you'll find this dude's comment, complaining about 'touch' and 'time feel') I mean...please...this is Jazz -not Classical; he's making the changes and playing/improvising with originality and it sounds great as far as I'm concerned. Peace.
The arguments over Vijay are stupid. You like him or you don't, fine. But you want to try to back up your asinine arguments by citing other pianists? Well guess what: is Billy Taylor legit enough for you? Dr.Taylor (rest in peace) chose as a protege a brilliant pianist named Christian Sands. He's a little more traditional although very broad in scope and plays with Christian McBride currently. Guess who Christian Sands takes his composition lessons from? Yeah. So shut it. If you want to discount Vijay you take a much different viewpoint of most of the musicians you claim to admire, so how about you just form your own little opinions without trying lamely to justify them in some sort of larger objective context?
I would guess that the complaintive comments here regarding Vijay are only in relation to his incredible success, not his musicianship. He is clearly a fine musician and musical thinker. What intrigues me a little is the degree of his popularity.
Brandon Miller Telling me what I "need" to know only clarifies how presumptuous you are and assuming my ears haven't live with these piano greats just because I don't particularly connect with VJ as much as you do further reveals that I'm hearing from someone who needs to mature as a person and probably as a musician. I've performed in these genres in the U.S. and Europe. So you can save your "New Music 101" for less seasoned musicians. I'm glad his music excites you. That's the whole point anyway isn't it? I grew up listening to Taylor, had the opportunity to hang out with him, and relate to the others you've mentioned. Ultimately, everything comes down to a matter of taste, even after all the analysis and hoopla. So you can get on or off the boat, as you put it, but expressing what turns you on or off is far more constructive than telling everyone else what they should like.
Brandon Miller Kudos to you for supporting this music with passion. Music needs more musicians who relate to and understand the genre. I hope you continue to give it your best. Having said that, I was both shocked and not surprised that he got the MacArthur, knowing what goes on in the socio-political substrata of the arts scene her in NY. I definitely don't agree, but my opinion is of no value to those who hold the cards. Good luck with your musical pursuits.
Fred Israel I went ahead and deleted what I said because obviously it seemed accusatory (for anyone else interested, I was discussing the music of Steve Coleman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Cecil Taylor, Muhal Richard Abrams, Henry Threadgill, etc. and how that relates to Iyer's "incredible sucess"). I don't do youtube arguments and I'm really investing more time than I need to or have in this "discussion." This whole thing is a miscommunication due to the way I wrote things out. So deleted them. Again, it wasn't accusatory, just written incorrectly.... this is a comments section, not an essay section, so I am at fault for not really proofreading. This is me signing off.
Great performance, however, at times the overuse of cymbals eats the entire sound spectrum. I saw this trio live and that was the case then too: an outstanding performance but at moments all you could hear was cymbals. I thought maybe it was just the sound guy that night, but this video is the same. Dude, back off of the cymbals a little bit .
Yes, I've seen Vijay's Giant Steps video and it's even worse than his jazz trio playing.He is fighting with the piano. Horrible time feel with unappealing keyboard touch. If you want to hear some virtuoso jazz piano, please take the time to listen to Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Oscar Peterson, Michel Petrucciani, Art Tatum.
I have to agree with SriabinBartok- This cat is extremely boring- I do not find his playing captivating nor interesting in any way- for interestingly great Jazz piano one should listen to Kenny Kirkland, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, etc... and also those mentioned by ScriabinBartok
Interesting approach to the jazz trio format. I like it. But may be with some of the money from the MacArthur award Vijay can take a few years of piano lessons and learn how to play the instrument on acceptable level? This is way far from virtuoso piano playing. Also the touch is in a desperate need of improvement.
What a talent! Vijay is forging a fresh path in the evolution of jazz piano. Gilmore and Crumb are awesome too. I remember having the same sense of wonder when the Brad Mehldau Trio came on the scene. A terrific upload -thank you.
Vijay is the most unusual pianist-self taught after becoming bored with classical violin and then getting a PhD in Acoustic physics! He is so brilliant he is an alien. His style is percussive, rhythmic, driving, searching, not "tinkly" like some bar pianist (that is good too). This trio is becoming legendary. Awesome stuff.
Freshest improvisational music I have heard for a long time; courageously rubato, grace notes become phrases, the episodes seldom seeking resolution.
His percussive pianistic style has over arching not thematic so much as persistent attitudes. One forgives the intermittent hysterical climatic drama while swinging to his restless searching and partitioning of almost melodies. His piano posture would make my mother shout in disapproval of what she would have called "stiff fingered chopping". His back to front feathery strokes is a ballet not piano playing. I wonder at his fast passages with stiff fingers. How does he do it? He wants unexpected dynamics in volume, pace . rhythm. and harmony (what there is of it). His is a remarkably new voice and I for one am grateful for the experience
Marcus Gilmore is such a beast. Words are not enough to describe the stuff he plays. real cat
THIS FUCKING DRUMMER IS LEGENDARY
hahaha yep :). I'm an upcoming pro jazz drummer, he is most likely the best drummer alive right now, and that has ever existed. that being said , you can't really be "better" than the greats like brian blade or antonio sanchez. but still I hope you get what I mean
Wrong position of the f-word but agree with the intent.
What a great solo by Marcus around the end. wow...
Sounds like Thelonious Monk reanimated as a dystopian android with lasers for eyes.
Awesome!
This may just be the most interesting group I've listened to yet. Great work .
I'm amazed when people call this "boring." Odd minor harmonies, time modulations for days, and one of the best drummers on the planet. This can be called a lot of things, but "boring" seems an odd choice. I guess music is in the ear of the beholder.
Thank you very much, uvisnigreen, for all the beautiful jazz you've brought us. Keep trucking!
Another great jazz lion out there not playing it safe and pushing it forward---refreshing to hear! As a community of musicans, we must always support players like this who are willing to advance this great American idiom forward
Great concert.Vijay plays absolutely amazing.Thx
Blown away by the first rendition of a post-Jackson-Five Michael Jackson song I actually liked. (Human Nature at 41:32)
This performance has so many amazing, intense moments. This groups sense of dynamics and teamwork is incredible.
Marcus Gilmore's rolls make me want to cry.
Second tune 'Optimism' is awesome - great changes and great playing/solos.
still love it!!
Unique playing style and building in compositions. Such a great drive and unity in the trio. Nice!
I always wonder about jazz... there's no way he can ever reproduce that performance. Just read article in New Yorker, that's why I'm here. Kudos to Vijay... doing what he loves. Inspiring to me... I can read music but play ditties by ear... now I'm going to try jazz!
That's the beauty and curse of jazz. Don't get me wrong. The fact that at its core it is so impromptu gives it that special edginess over other forms of music. Its not that Jazz cannot be transcribed and when one does so, what's the point.
最近好きになりました。ジャズもいいね！
yes! I like this band.
some really unique and creative harmonics, very abstract and dissonant at times. I am reminded of Cecil Taylor.
That human nature version is awesome!
Muy bueno. Buenisimo. Muy buen Trio que suena como UNO. Recuerdo las fantasticas grabaciones del famoso trio de Keith Jarret / GPeacock / Jack DeJohnette.
I'm really digging Optimism
Oh god. Watch cymbal shimmer at 2:23. That's like porn for me. What an amazing group. Vijay Iyer is definitely one of my favorite modern piano players.
recibe mis saludos que nivel de los tres formidable
Genius...
Unbelievable acoustic bassist, also.
the way he ends it is perfect too.
extremely good and beautiful!
Exciting stuff. As Dessau put it: music is supposed to make you move. This does!
I liked the drums !!
I hate it when a drummer is playing his little heart out and the camera guys does a close up of the arco bass...jeez
Bass player KILLIN it
Grande musicalita' trio grandioso
WOW un fuckin real...at 4;37 he starts the set up for his riff and dumps it all with one note at the end AWSOME
Music best rendered in the intimate space. Something ultimately gets lost with festival crowds, playing and listening- wise. Ofcourse, I'm generalizing...
Amo ese ride.
Blew my mind! And I've heard some pretty intense stuff...
THIS IS IT................
just...amazing
perfection!!!!
Marcus Gilmore // AKA// Rhythm King. Hot DAMN!
Yes indeed.
There's some pointillism in there and motivic dev. but I'm not hear the influence of the brilliant composers--VanHuesen on back to Porter, Rodgers, Gershwin, Arlen, Berlin, etc. It was a sophisticate art yet naive, full of resplendent melody that frequently took its place with Puccini. The result was the neo-romantic art of a Bill Evans, whose music soars on Rachmaninoff lyricism into the deepest regions of the human heart, on the one hand, and the strictly Americanized / urbanized versions of striking beauty in the ceaselessly varied urban soul of Hank Mobley. Much of this is reminiscent of Brubeck, but when he did not express these unique melodies of a new form of popular composition, he retained the form. His work prior to "Time Out" was the fitting call to jazz to scale back from big bands and dancing and to be modern. But it presumed knowledge jazz as an art with a tradition and a legacy. From Louis to Hawk to Bird, the standard was the proving ground and the Billy Eckstine Orchestra became the "school of bebop" that you had graduate from before the possibility of swing and melody taking flight in the new Birdsong.
What a gig!
Yes.
brilliant, period.
Completely agree with you.
Great playing. Only an embittered, frustrated modern Classical music snob w/o a palate for modern Jazz would say stupid things like ' his touch is in desperate need of improvement', 'horrible time feel'. You know who you are.
Absolutely. Those classical idiots are unbelievable...and then they complain that nobody gives a shit about what they do anymore. The only people who still cares about them (and not for long, I guess) are the Chinese...
I don't get this comment. I know a lot of classical musicians who appreciate jazz music. I do know one who doesn't, but I don't think she understands a thing of music at all, even though she's in the conservatory lol...
My comment wasn't addressed to 'every Classical player', just to the one guy who tried to judge Vijay Iyer's take on 'Giant Steps' by attacking it via Classical music standards/objectives/concerns. (read the whole comment thread and you'll find this dude's comment, complaining about 'touch' and 'time feel') I mean...please...this is Jazz -not Classical; he's making the changes and playing/improvising with originality and it sounds great as far as I'm concerned. Peace.
I see people might get mad 'cause Vijay is a self taught pianist.
Rodrigo Carrizo Couto
China is the most populated country in the planet and the 2nd largest economy, though.
Brilliant drumming.
Stephen Crump, not Crumb. Fix the description^
How about some Bach? LOL. Super talented guy. Not my cup of tea but one cannot deny his creativity and talent.
thats beauty
Oui.
dude, it sounds wonderful
if you take a closer look you´ll realize marc gilmore only uses one cymbal also (apart from the hihat of course)
24:09 is so cool
Maravilha, sonzão da porra!
oh how smart you are with this question Zen!
Bassist looks like Charlie from Drive Shaft - who was also a bassist himself.
How can one individual produce so much drum sounds ?????
So fuckin amazing
watch the video of him playing giant steps if you want to see virtuosity
56:02-59:51 Marcus goin off!
Some folks adore Dalí. Others venerate Picasso. I dig 'em both. Why hate?
ah, yes
This is better than sex! And I've had some great sex, and hopefully more to come. But this was better!!
Hi....what are the mics on the piano...are there 3 or 4.? Any idea
Crump's solo at 34:00. Jesus.
the bass player looks like me lol, i always sing the notes i play :) gets me more internalized with the music
i was thinking andrew hill moreso than cecil taylor
oooo la la
Keith Jarrett meets Thelonius Monk, and it's kind of an awkward encounter. My old piano teacher called this "noodling."
And if you don't like this you probably think Bartok, Lutowslawsi, and Alban Berg were crappy composers-each to his own.
Sergio mendes
As a drummer, I have to say I completely agree. It was pretty distracting.
now all they need is John Coltrane to come play sax for em
The arguments over Vijay are stupid. You like him or you don't, fine. But you want to try to back up your asinine arguments by citing other pianists? Well guess what: is Billy Taylor legit enough for you? Dr.Taylor (rest in peace) chose as a protege a brilliant pianist named Christian Sands. He's a little more traditional although very broad in scope and plays with Christian McBride currently. Guess who Christian Sands takes his composition lessons from? Yeah. So shut it. If you want to discount Vijay you take a much different viewpoint of most of the musicians you claim to admire, so how about you just form your own little opinions without trying lamely to justify them in some sort of larger objective context?
I would guess that the complaintive comments here regarding Vijay are only in relation to his incredible success, not his musicianship. He is clearly a fine musician and musical thinker. What intrigues me a little is the degree of his popularity.
Brandon Miller Telling me what I "need" to know only clarifies how presumptuous you are and assuming my ears haven't live with these piano greats just because I don't particularly connect with VJ as much as you do further reveals that I'm hearing from someone who needs to mature as a person and probably as a musician. I've performed in these genres in the U.S. and Europe. So you can save your "New Music 101" for less seasoned musicians. I'm glad his music excites you. That's the whole point anyway isn't it? I grew up listening to Taylor, had the opportunity to hang out with him, and relate to the others you've mentioned. Ultimately, everything comes down to a matter of taste, even after all the analysis and hoopla. So you can get on or off the boat, as you put it, but expressing what turns you on or off is far more constructive than telling everyone else what they should like.
Brandon Miller Kudos to you for supporting this music with passion. Music needs more musicians who relate to and understand the genre. I hope you continue to give it your best. Having said that, I was both shocked and not surprised that he got the MacArthur, knowing what goes on in the socio-political substrata of the arts scene her in NY. I definitely don't agree, but my opinion is of no value to those who hold the cards. Good luck with your musical pursuits.
Fred Israel
I went ahead and deleted what I said because obviously it seemed accusatory (for anyone else interested, I was discussing the music of Steve Coleman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Cecil Taylor, Muhal Richard Abrams, Henry Threadgill, etc. and how that relates to Iyer's "incredible sucess"). I don't do youtube arguments and I'm really investing more time than I need to or have in this "discussion." This whole thing is a miscommunication due to the way I wrote things out. So deleted them. Again, it wasn't accusatory, just written incorrectly.... this is a comments section, not an essay section, so I am at fault for not really proofreading. This is me signing off.
Great performance, however, at times the overuse of cymbals eats the entire sound spectrum. I saw this trio live and that was the case then too: an outstanding performance but at moments all you could hear was cymbals. I thought maybe it was just the sound guy that night, but this video is the same. Dude, back off of the cymbals a little bit
.
vo
the
Yes, I've seen Vijay's Giant Steps video and it's even worse than his jazz trio playing.He is fighting with the piano. Horrible time feel with unappealing keyboard touch. If you want to hear some virtuoso jazz piano, please take the time to listen to Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Oscar Peterson, Michel Petrucciani, Art Tatum.
Let’s forget this boy, and listen to better pianists…
***** Lennie Tristano, Bud Powell, Earl Hines, Cedar Walton, Hampton Hawes, Victor Feldman, etc.
+Ricardo da Mata Other than the deceased greats you listed, are there any contemporary/'new' Jazz pianists you dig?
*****
Ricardo da Mata Any contemporary jazz pianists you like at all?
+Ricardo da Mata Again...Are there any contemporary Jazz pianists you enjoy at all?
I have to agree with SriabinBartok- This cat is extremely boring- I do not find his playing captivating nor interesting in any way- for interestingly great Jazz piano one should listen to Kenny Kirkland, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, etc... and also those mentioned by ScriabinBartok
Interesting approach to the jazz trio format. I like it. But may be with some of the money from the MacArthur award Vijay can take a few years of piano lessons and learn how to play the instrument on acceptable level? This is way far from virtuoso piano playing. Also the touch is in a desperate need of improvement.
Tell me, Why are you wasting your time then?
boring...
Vijay's so overrated. No substance here, so boring... (yawn)
So true
Aww okay.
=(
YOU DONT UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC, THATS WHY YOU THINK ITS BORING!
jeronimoringo Now that is a seriously idiotic comment
You may not like him sure
But saying he has no substance is OBJECTIVELY wrong