Rudresh Mahanthappa
Encyclopedia
Rudresh Mahanthappa is a New York-based jazz
alto saxophonist
and composer
.
Mahanthappa was born in Trieste, Italy, and grew up in Boulder, Colorado. He graduated from Berklee College of Music
in 1992 and received his Master of Fine Arts
degree in jazz composition from Chicago's DePaul University
in 1998. During his time at Berklee, he was introduced to the music of Indian saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath
, whose use of a Western instrument in the context of Carnatic music
surprised and inspired Mahanthappa. He would later travel to India on a grant to work with Gopalnath; the two played together in concert between 2005 and 2008, and collaborated on the album Kinsmen (2008), which fuses Western and Indian approaches to improvisation.
Mahanthappa has frequently been listed in Down Beat
s Critics Poll since 2003, and was named both "#1 Rising Star Jazz Artist" and "#1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist" in the 2010 poll. In 2011, he was voted the #1 Alto Saxophonist of the Year by the 59th Annual Down Beat
Critics Poll. He has been awarded numerous grants for his compositions, including being given the NY Foundation for the Arts Fellow in Music (2006), three Rockefeller MAP grants, and two New York State Council on the Arts grants. In 2008, he was named a Guggenheim fellow to pursue his interest in how Indian Carnatic music can inform and serve as an inspiration for American jazz. The Jazz Journalists Association
named Mahanthappa the Alto Saxophonist of the Year in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He has five albums out as a leader or co-leader on labels including Pi Recordings and Savoy Jazz. Mahanthappa's playing and composing are firmly ensconced in the highest of the New York jazz scene today.
, Mahanthappa lives in New York and teaches at the New School University. He leads or co-leads seven projects, including: Rudresh Mahanthappa Quartet (with Vijay Iyer
or Craig Taborn
on piano, François Moutin on bass, and Dan Weiss on drums), Raw Materials (with Vijay Iyer), Indo-Pak Coalition (with Rez Abbasi on sitar-guitar and Dan Weiss on tabla), MSG (with Ronan Guilfoyle
on bass and Chander Sardjoe on drums), Dakshina Ensemble septet, and various groups playing under the label "Dual Identity."
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
alto saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Mahanthappa was born in Trieste, Italy, and grew up in Boulder, Colorado. He graduated from Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in 1992 and received his Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
degree in jazz composition from Chicago's DePaul University
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
in 1998. During his time at Berklee, he was introduced to the music of Indian saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath
Kadri Gopalnath
Dr. Kadri Gopalnath is an Indian saxophonist and one of the pioneers of Carnatic music on the saxophone.-Early life:...
, whose use of a Western instrument in the context of Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
surprised and inspired Mahanthappa. He would later travel to India on a grant to work with Gopalnath; the two played together in concert between 2005 and 2008, and collaborated on the album Kinsmen (2008), which fuses Western and Indian approaches to improvisation.
Mahanthappa has frequently been listed in Down Beat
Down Beat
Down Beat is an American magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond" to indicate its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois...
s Critics Poll since 2003, and was named both "#1 Rising Star Jazz Artist" and "#1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist" in the 2010 poll. In 2011, he was voted the #1 Alto Saxophonist of the Year by the 59th Annual Down Beat
Down Beat
Down Beat is an American magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond" to indicate its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois...
Critics Poll. He has been awarded numerous grants for his compositions, including being given the NY Foundation for the Arts Fellow in Music (2006), three Rockefeller MAP grants, and two New York State Council on the Arts grants. In 2008, he was named a Guggenheim fellow to pursue his interest in how Indian Carnatic music can inform and serve as an inspiration for American jazz. The Jazz Journalists Association
Jazz Journalists Association
The Jazz Journalists Association is an international organization of all types of media professionals who document, promulgate, or appreciate jazz. As of 2011, it has approximately 500 members, primarily in North America but also on other continents...
named Mahanthappa the Alto Saxophonist of the Year in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He has five albums out as a leader or co-leader on labels including Pi Recordings and Savoy Jazz. Mahanthappa's playing and composing are firmly ensconced in the highest of the New York jazz scene today.
, Mahanthappa lives in New York and teaches at the New School University. He leads or co-leads seven projects, including: Rudresh Mahanthappa Quartet (with Vijay Iyer
Vijay Iyer
Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin...
or Craig Taborn
Craig Taborn
Craig Taborn is an American keyboardist and composer. Playing piano, organ, and Moog synthesizer, Taborn has worked mostly in jazz, although he also does dark ambient and techno music....
on piano, François Moutin on bass, and Dan Weiss on drums), Raw Materials (with Vijay Iyer), Indo-Pak Coalition (with Rez Abbasi on sitar-guitar and Dan Weiss on tabla), MSG (with Ronan Guilfoyle
Ronan Guilfoyle
Ronan Guilfoyle is one of Ireland's premier jazz musicians. He is the director of jazz at Newpark Music Centre in Dublin, Ireland and has performed extensively around the world...
on bass and Chander Sardjoe on drums), Dakshina Ensemble septet, and various groups playing under the label "Dual Identity."
As Leader / Co-Leader
| Year | Title | Artist | Label | Footnotes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Yatra | Rudresh Mahanthappa | Red Giant Records | |
| 2002 | Black Water | Rudresh Mahanthappa | Red Giant Records | |
| 2004 | Mother Tongue | Rudresh Mahanthappa | Pi Recordings Pi Recordings Pi Recordings is a jazz record label whose motto is "dedicated to the innovative". Pi was founded in 2001 by Seth Rosner. He was joined as partner by Yulun Wang in 2002.- Discography :*Pi 01: Everybodys Mouth's a Book - Henry Threadgill... |
|
| 2006 | Raw Materials | Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin... & Rudresh Mahanthappa |
Savoy Jazz | |
| 2006 | Codebook | Rudresh Mahanthappa | Pi Recordings Pi Recordings Pi Recordings is a jazz record label whose motto is "dedicated to the innovative". Pi was founded in 2001 by Seth Rosner. He was joined as partner by Yulun Wang in 2002.- Discography :*Pi 01: Everybodys Mouth's a Book - Henry Threadgill... |
|
| 2006 | The Beautiful Enabler | Mauger Trio (Rudresh Mahanthappa, Mark Dresser Mark Dresser Mark Dresser is an American double bass player and composer.-Biography:He has performed and recorded with many of the luminaries of "new" jazz composition and improvisation. For ten years he performed with the Anthony Braxton Quartet, as well as diverse groups led by Ray Anderson, Tim Berne,... , Gerry Hemingway Gerry Hemingway Gerry Hemingway is an American jazz composer and percussionist.He has performed with Ernst Reijseger, Anthony Davis, Earl Howard, Leo Smith, George Lewis, Anthony Braxton, Ray Anderson, Mark Helias, Reggie Workman, Michael Moore, Oliver Lake, Marilyn Crispell, Christy Doran, John Wolf Brennan, Don... ) |
Clean Feed Records Clean Feed Records Clean Feed Records is a jazz record label. The company was founded in 2001 in Lisbon, Portugal. , the label has issued more than 200 albums and one DVD. Its roster of artists includes Ken Vandermark, Dennis González, Scott Fields, Mark Dresser, Tim Berne, Charles Gayle, Peter Evans, Tony Malaby,... |
|
| 2008 | Kinsmen | Rudresh Mahanthappa & Kadri Gopalnath Kadri Gopalnath Dr. Kadri Gopalnath is an Indian saxophonist and one of the pioneers of Carnatic music on the saxophone.-Early life:... : The Dakshina Ensemble |
Pi Recordings Pi Recordings Pi Recordings is a jazz record label whose motto is "dedicated to the innovative". Pi was founded in 2001 by Seth Rosner. He was joined as partner by Yulun Wang in 2002.- Discography :*Pi 01: Everybodys Mouth's a Book - Henry Threadgill... |
|
| 2008 | Apti | Rudresh Mahanthappa's Indo-Pak Coalition | Innova Recordings | |
| 2010 | Dual Identity | Rudresh Mahanthappa & Steve Lehman | Clean Feed Records Clean Feed Records Clean Feed Records is a jazz record label. The company was founded in 2001 in Lisbon, Portugal. , the label has issued more than 200 albums and one DVD. Its roster of artists includes Ken Vandermark, Dennis González, Scott Fields, Mark Dresser, Tim Berne, Charles Gayle, Peter Evans, Tony Malaby,... |
|
| 2010 | Apex | Rudresh Mahanthappa & Bunky Green Bunky Green Bunky Green is an American jazz alto saxophonist and educator.-Biography:Vernice "Bunky" Green was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he played the alto saxophone, mainly at a local club called "The Brass Rail."... |
Pi Recordings Pi Recordings Pi Recordings is a jazz record label whose motto is "dedicated to the innovative". Pi was founded in 2001 by Seth Rosner. He was joined as partner by Yulun Wang in 2002.- Discography :*Pi 01: Everybodys Mouth's a Book - Henry Threadgill... |
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| 2011 | Tasty! | MSG: Rudresh Mahanthappa, Chander Sardjoe, & Ronan Guilfoyle Ronan Guilfoyle Ronan Guilfoyle is one of Ireland's premier jazz musicians. He is the director of jazz at Newpark Music Centre in Dublin, Ireland and has performed extensively around the world... |
Plus Loin Music | |
| 2011 | Samdhi | Rudresh Mahanthappa | ACT Music + Vision |
As a Sideman
| Year | Title | Artist | Label | Footnotes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Plays Music by Rich Latham | The Oversize Quartet | Accurate Records | |
| 1994 | Big Band Basie | Clark Terry Clark Terry Clark Terry is an American swing and bop trumpeter, a pioneer of the fluegelhorn in jazz, educator, NEA Jazz Masters inductee, and recipient of the 2010 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award... with the DePaul University DePaul University DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul... Big Band |
Reference Recordings | |
| 1998 | Architextures | Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin... |
Red Giant Records | |
| 2001 | Panoptic Modes | Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin... |
Red Giant Records | |
| 2003 | In What Language | Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin... |
Pi Recordings Pi Recordings Pi Recordings is a jazz record label whose motto is "dedicated to the innovative". Pi was founded in 2001 by Seth Rosner. He was joined as partner by Yulun Wang in 2002.- Discography :*Pi 01: Everybodys Mouth's a Book - Henry Threadgill... |
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| 2005 | Far Side of Here | Brooklyn Saxophone Quartet | Omnitone | |
| 2005 | Reimagining | Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin... |
Savoy Jazz | |
| 2006 | Bazaar | Rez Abbasi | Zoho Music | |
| 2006 | Blood Sutra | Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin... |
Pi Recordings Pi Recordings Pi Recordings is a jazz record label whose motto is "dedicated to the innovative". Pi was founded in 2001 by Seth Rosner. He was joined as partner by Yulun Wang in 2002.- Discography :*Pi 01: Everybodys Mouth's a Book - Henry Threadgill... |
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| 2007 | The Chicago Sessions | Clark Terry Clark Terry Clark Terry is an American swing and bop trumpeter, a pioneer of the fluegelhorn in jazz, educator, NEA Jazz Masters inductee, and recipient of the 2010 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award... with the DePaul University DePaul University DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul... Big Band |
Summit Records Summit Records Summit Records, Inc. is an internationally distributed record label that evolved out of the dynamic large brass ensemble, Summit Brass in the late 1980s... |
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| 2007 | Two Rivers | Amir ElSaffar Amir ElSaffar Amir ElSaffar is an Iraqi-American trumpeter and vocalist.In addition to being a classical and jazz trumpeter, he is also a skilled interpreter of Iraqi maqam, which he sings and plays on santur... |
Pi Recordings Pi Recordings Pi Recordings is a jazz record label whose motto is "dedicated to the innovative". Pi was founded in 2001 by Seth Rosner. He was joined as partner by Yulun Wang in 2002.- Discography :*Pi 01: Everybodys Mouth's a Book - Henry Threadgill... |
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| 2008 | A Celebration of the Music of Miles Davis | Miles From India, produced by Bob Belden Bob Belden James Robert Belden is an American saxophonist, arranger, composer, bandleader and producer. He is noted for his Grammy Award winning jazz orchestral recording titled The Black Dahlia. He is also a past head of A & R for Blue Note Records.Belden was born in Evanston, Illinois, and raised in... |
Four Quarters Entertainment | |
| 2008 | Real People | Anders Morgensen | Blackout Music | |
| 2008 | Tragicomic (Vijay Iyer album) | Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer Vijay Iyer is a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, producer, electronic musician, and writer based in New York City.-Biography:Born in 1971 and raised in Rochester, New York, Vijay Iyer is the son of Indian Tamil immigrants to the US. He received 15 years of Western classical training on violin... |
Sunnyside Records Sunnyside Records Sunnyside Records is an American jazz record label.Sunnyside was founded in 1982 by Francois Zalacain and Christine Berthet. Its early releases consisted primarily of piano solo material and ensembles without drums, but in later years has broadened its selection of material.-Artists who have... |
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| 2009 | Things To Come Things to Come (album) Things to Come is the second English album by German singer Peter Schilling and is the English counterpart to the German album 120 Grad.-Track listing:# "Chill of the Night"# "City of the Night "# "Lone Survivor"... |
Rez Abbasi | Sunnyside Records Sunnyside Records Sunnyside Records is an American jazz record label.Sunnyside was founded in 1982 by Francois Zalacain and Christine Berthet. Its early releases consisted primarily of piano solo material and ensembles without drums, but in later years has broadened its selection of material.-Artists who have... |
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| 2010 | The Two Faces of Janus | Jason Robinson Jason Robinson Jason Thorpe Robinson OBE is an English former international rugby union and rugby league player of the 1990s and 2000s. Playing at wing or fullback, he won fifty-one rugby union international test caps in total for England, and in rugby league he won twelve caps for Great Britain and seven for... |
Cuneiform Records Cuneiform Records Cuneiform Records is an independent record label based in Silver Spring, Maryland.The label releases a mixture of musical styles, including progressive jazz, modern fusion music, progressive rock, the Canterbury Scene and electronic music... |
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| 2010 | Providencia | Danilo Pérez Danilo Pérez Danilo Pérez is a Panamanian pianist and composer.-Early life:Danilo Pérez was born in Panama in 1965. He is considered one of the finest contemporary pianists and jazz composers of our era.... |
Mack Avenue Records Mack Avenue Records Mack Avenue Records is an independent record label headquartered in Harper Woods, Michigan. Founded in 1999, the label has several renowned jazz musicians on its roster, including Stanley Jordan, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Danilo Perez, Kevin Eubanks, Yellowjackets, and Gary Burton, among... |
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| 2011 | Live at Yoshi's 2010 | Jack DeJohnette Jack DeJohnette Jack DeJohnette is an American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer. He is one of the most influential jazz drummers of the 20th century, due to extensive work as leader and sideman for musicians like Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett and Sonny... |
Golden Beams Productions | |
| 2011 | Suno Suno | Rez Abbasi | Enja |
External links
- Official website
- Rudresh Mahanthappa at Pi RecordingsPi RecordingsPi Recordings is a jazz record label whose motto is "dedicated to the innovative". Pi was founded in 2001 by Seth Rosner. He was joined as partner by Yulun Wang in 2002.- Discography :*Pi 01: Everybodys Mouth's a Book - Henry Threadgill...
- Wired News, "From Crypto to Jazz" (August 31, 2006)
- Saxophone Stylings, With A South-Asian Flair - NPR Fresh Air Interview