MB22261

selected compositions
1999-2008

by vijay iyer

R
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

© 2011 BY MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS, INC., PACIFIC, MO 63069.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT SECURED. B.M.I. MADE AND PRINTED IN U.S.A.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

Visit us on the Web at www.melbay.com — E-mail us at email@melbay.com

 table of contents
preface ....................................................................................................................................... 3

aftermath .................................................................................................................................... 4

atlantean tropes .......................................................................................................................... 9

because of guns ......................................................................................................................... 16

the big almost ........................................................................................................................... 18

brute facts (w/ piano solo transcription) ........................................................................................ 22

configurations (w/ piano solo transcription) ................................................................................... 30

desiring .................................................................................................................................... 41

father spirit ............................................................................................................................... 42

habeas corpus ........................................................................................................................... 46

imagined nations ....................................................................................................................... 49

inertia ....................................................................................................................................... 52

invariants .................................................................................................................................. 54

macaca please ........................................................................................................................... 58

machine days ............................................................................................................................ 66

mehndi ..................................................................................................................................... 70

phalanx (w/ piano solo transcription) ............................................................................................ 72

revolutions (w/ piano solo transcription) ....................................................................................... 86

song for midwood ..................................................................................................................... 94

threnody (w/ piano solo transcription) ........................................................................................... 97

without lions ........................................................................................................................... 104

about the author ..................................................................................................................... 106

2
 preface

I'm honored to have this chance to compile some of my small group compositions from the period 1998-2008.  
The bulk of the pieces collected here were originally written for my quartet with altoist Rudresh Mahanthappa,
bassist Stephan Crump, and drummers Marcus Gilmore, Tyshawn Sorey, and Derrek Phillips, and documented
on the albums Panoptic Modes (2001), Blood Sutra (2003), Reimagining (2005), and Tragicomic (2008).  

You may notice that many of the pieces employ different approaches to notation than is common in standard jazz
charts, in terms of rhythm, harmony, and form:

1) In some cases, drum parts are written out – actual polyphonic parts involving bass drum, snare, ride, and hi-
hat. These are provided not as a “straitjacket” for the drummer, but as specific musical material in counterpoint
with the other parts. The intent is to give each piece a strong rhythmic profile that also offers a multidimensional
space for improvisation. As with all the other compositional elements, the drum parts are meant to be treated
improvisationally. They should be approached as a “skeletal” form or point of departure, but with precision and
attention to the composed structure as well.

2) Harmonic structures are often written out on the staff, instead of or in addition to pop symbol abbreviations.
I’ve noticed that a symbol like “G7” often provokes players to regurgitate “G7 licks.” Here I am often employing
specific voicings in specific registers, and I find it more useful for improvisers to work with the building blocks
suggested by the composed material than to resort to stock chords and scales. This requires a certain amount of
preparatory work on the part of the players, but it can also be an intuitive process, depending on a player’s ear and
creativity with the fundamentals.

Thelonious Monk used to suggest to his bandmates that they “solo off the melody” – i.e. the specific ingredients
of the composition – rather than just “running changes.” He also sought personalized, unique sonorities and
chord voicings. The approach here is deeply inspired by his music.

3) In many cases the improvisational forms are created from rhythmic cells, rather than from an extended “song
form.” The solo sections of pieces like “Imagined Nations,” “Phalanx,” and “Threnody” employ polyrhythmic
cycles as building blocks for improvised harmonic progressions. There is no set chord progression; there is just a
fixed harmonic rhythm tied to the rhythm cycle. The ensemble creates its own progressions in real time.

For example, in “Phalanx” the final three notated measures become a cycling form, with a harmonic rhythm of
one cycle. This means that the bass player chooses a new “root” or bottom note, and the pianist chooses a new
chord voicing or cluster, and the combined aggregate provides the new harmonic unit for the next cycle. The
pianist and bassist should strive for smooth voice leading and continuity. The progression shouldn’t sound too
random, so there shouldn’t be too much jumping around. But whatever happens, the ensemble simply accepts
and responds to the collective sonorities that occur at the top of each cycle.

The transcriptions provided of piano solos and corresponding improvised bass parts from the recorded versions of
“Phalanx” and “Threnody” offer examples of how such forms can play out. The effect is one of an emergent
tension and release, similar to what one expects from normal chord changes, but completely spontaneous. The
larger purpose is to thrust each player into the present moment, to impel the musicians to respond to what is
actually happening in the music, and to empower the musicians to build the bulk of the music themselves from
the formal materials.

These ideas come from a lot of different places – Monk, Andrew Hill, John Coltrane, Henry Threadgill, and Steve
Coleman, South Indian and West African musical traditions, and contemporary American and European classical
composers. As you will see, we were experimenting with rhythmic techniques, harmony, orchestration, soloing
structures, and macro-form, but I always strived to make the music sound and feel good, too.  The material often
challenged us, but the process of finding solutions proved rewarding. Likewise, it is my hope that other musicians,
be they students or experienced players, can find in this volume some useful tools with which to keep building.

Vijay Iyer
New York City
August 15, 2011

3
  

 
 



    


                       
 


        

 

 



 



                                
  

          
   
                
 


           
 






                              
  

   
  

        
          

  
 




           
 

 





                                 
  


           
                 
  
           
 

4
 


                            




  
  
 
 

      

   


      

  
 


           

 





   
   
    
    

   

 
 


                                
    





 
 





   
  

     

  



   
   
        

 




                              
     
 
  
       
          

 

   
      

        

 


                                 
  


           
                 
  
5
    

       
     
     






                            


           
    

      
  
       
  
 


  

 
   
    


        

 



                                
   





 
 





   
  

     



   
        



 



                              
     
 
  
        
         
 

      


 

    
     
 
 
  

 



                                 
 

       
                 
  
6
 



$


 !

"

#



   
  

     


     

 


  
  




                  

   

   

   

 

    

      
  
 

     
 
 




  #% %

       
            





            
 



 
 
 



    

   
         

  


 

 
 

   
 
    
 

       


    


 
    
        

 
 
        
     

    


    
 
  
 

 
    
 

       

 
 

      

 
  
 



 
    




      


  
   


                                



 
 
 


    
 

   
     
         

 


  

 
 
 

  
 
    
 

  
   

   

7
     


 
    
        

 
   

       
     

 
       

 
 
 

 
    
 

        

 
 
  
 

 
 
 

 
    
 

      
   

 

       
                                





 
 
 
 
  

   
     
          

   


  


        
  

               




    
 
       
 

     
    

  


        

 
  
 

 


    

 
 

      

 
 




 

     




     
       
       



    
 
 
   

   


   
   


 

   
 
8
 
  

 
 





           


     

      



 





   
                 
             


     


     

      
      
      



 

 

  
                  


             

 



   



        

   

  
   
  

         
      
   




          
    
          
      

  

 

         


9
  
 

 
     
  
    
  

            
  



    
   

  

  






  

   

    




          



   
   

        


 

  
   
  



    



 



 

  

   

     







 

      

 

 

   

  


 
   

 





    

  

  
 

   



 
   



  




   


  

   


10
  
   

     
    
     


   

  

         

 


  

  


    

 
    




 

    





     



 
 

         





 

  



  
 
     
  
    
 


 
 
 

      
  






   




         

 
  
 

  
       
     
   




    

    

           

 
        

  


          

11
 
 


   
  
 
 
   

     
  

  
      
   
  




  
 


        
 
  
 
 

 

  




         

   
 
  

               

 

      
  
            



   





   

 
 

   
 
  

 

  





  
 
    

  



    





 
 

 
                

               
 






 


 

 

   
 

 



 
  
 
   




12
 


!"


                  


                 



 

 

    



   

 

 

 
  

  
   
 
 
   
 



                     

                    






 

   
 





   

 

    

 
 
  
   
    
   




                 

                






 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 
 
  
 


     
 

13
 

                 

                





 



   
 

 

 



 

 
   

 

 
 
 
  
   



                 

                





 

 

 
 

 

 

   
 
   


   
     
 
     



                     

                    





 

 
    
 

 



 

 

   
 
    

 
 
 
 
    
    
 

14
 

             

            





  









 



   
 
 



!
              

             





 

  

 

  
  

 




 
   



15
 



 


 
 
 

   


 


 
  
          
     


  







  
            

   
  




 
   

     


 

 

 

             
   
     

   


  





 



      
  

 
    



    
 



  
 
 
  
 
    
 
  


 

 
  
 
 

 


    



        






   

   

   
       
       

     

  
       

   







 
 
    

  


  
  





 



      
 
         

16
  

 
   
   
   
  
   
      
     

 

 

 




 




                   
      
     




 
  


 
 
 
    


           

  



  

 
      



     
     



 
  

      
            
  
  

     



        
      
      
  

           

       

17
   

  







  
  




 
                  
 
  


   

 
 
   

  




 



       

 
       

 
       
 
  
        






   

  
  







  


            
 
 
  

   
  
  
 

   



 
    
    
   
           

  
 
  
            






   

 
       

    

     

    

     
    

 
  
      
 
     
  

      


 
    

  

      

  
     
    
 


    


           

18
     



               

    

 
      


  

 
 
              

         


 
             


 
      


  
 
    
 
     



      

    

 

  

       





      
     
    

 
 
       
  
  
    

     


 
       
     




   
     
    
 
 

       

        

 
  
       


     

 


  

      
      


  

 
 
       
  
      
    

 


 
              



     
      



  
 
 
 
  



           

19
   


 
 




  
  


 
 



!"





            
 
  


   

 
 
   

  



 



       

 
       

 
       
 
  
        






   



          


  
  

         


      


   
     

  

  
   

               





   

  


#


   

  
 

  




             

 
 
  


                

     



 
 
   


              

 
       
 
  
        






   

20
this page intentionally left blank

21
 









 



    


           
  

    
      
  
 
    





 
    


         
      
           

 





              

       

         

      
                 
    



              

                           




          
       


                 
 
            


 

          
               


   
      
 
    

          



       
       

22
              



   
    
  
     



  
         
        

   


     


   

             



        
       

  
 
              




             

       


      

       
      
     
 

 

   




             

$
 

 !"
 #

                 

         
       
 
      
              
  

             

  
          
  

     



             

23
 
 


                       



          
 
              
          


                  
     
     
     
 
 

!

  &

$ 
#
%  '

 
  #
        
     

       




   
             
   
     

     
       
  

                   

24
this page intentionally left blank

25

 




 

 
         

              

 


  


  
                        

  
 
             



    
     
 

      
           

      
   

         
           
   

                
   

 
  

 
                     

   

     
 
  




 
               

            

    
    


          

26



               

             

    


 

      
     
          


        
      
  


       
    

                  
  

   



 



              

                      
    



                      
   


  
       

 


         

                   
 
 

    
   

27

             
         
    

     



     




                
             
       

          



                             

  

         

   
      



               

                     
  

    


       
              

        


  


       



                   
       

 
  
           

28



                 

   
                 
    


                        


  
        

   
   
   
                   


    

        


    
        
  
 

                    



 
  


                   

 


  


 

           

 




               








29


 




  






    


 
          
            


       

   
              

        
 



 
       
   
               
    



 
       
   
   
 

                   

  


  !"!

           
        



  
   
   
         

  

 
        



                      
              
           


   

 
            
         
 


    
 

         
    

             

    
             
       
   

30
 #
     

     

      
    
   


 
 



                        
          
           

#


     



                      



 


 



 



 


#$ %

              
  

    


       
        

 
 

          
          
 


  

 

                      


   
       
          

31
 
   

      
       
       

      
   

     


           
     
       
       

&


          
 
    
     


 

   


                   


        
           

'() )
* + ( 

 
 ( () 

 

  
        

                    

   
   
  
   
 

                     




   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 

&
 
 
 
 

                              
 
  
 
  
 

                             



      
 

 
)   

           
   

32
  
  

          
                

     
     

                        


     
        
                      


       

 
         
   

     


  

         
        
        

    

           
         

  ()*)



    
             
   


   
 
  
                

        


  
           
       

,

   
 
  

                
 

       
     

    

           
           
          
33
 ,$ 
 ,-$)
       

         
 

       


              

                


         
            

$  
     







 

         
     


        
      



  

       
                        



 
     
 
       

$


  
   

  

        
                 
      




       
         
                







  

 

 


$&  



                             
 

       

                   


          


          

 
    
34
 &

  

           
                

    
      

                        


 
    
        
                      

&&
     

 
               
   

   


         
    
 



                
   

         
          

   !"!. * +*


                          

     

                   

         


       
        

         


                   

    
  
                           




 
       
             
35
 


   






  
  
















 


 



  

    

























  




  

















  










 


 

 
















   

  
 






























 


 




 



























 

  
 




36



 















 

 












 
   



 
















  
 
 















 

















   


 

 






 
  
























 








 




 









 




















 





 



 
 














































  


37


















 









  

 


  

   























 

  
 





 








 



 






 








 






















 






 



 

 









 































 







 




 































 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 38



























 

  







 























 




 








 



 

 

 












 
 














  




 

 






  







 



















 


 



































  



 

 






 


























 







39
 















 












 








  



  






 




 




  


    
















 

 
 

 
 
 









 





















  


  

 




 








  



 



 










   

 



 







 
 








 
 



 






 

 
 






    

 
 








  
 
 









 
  
40
 








 











  


 



         
       
 


       

             




      



       
 
   


 
  
  
  




     


   

  
  
    
 
 
  
  
   

   
     
 
 
    
 

     
  
  



  
     
 
       


 
  

  
    




     


              


        


      
    
 

  

 


                      
    
 
   
     



    

41
 
 
 

   



 
 
   
 
  
 



   

  

         



 






  






 
 




 
     

    

   

     

 

        
  


 
       

       


        

  
       



          
  
   

      
     


 
             


 

 

   


       

 

 

          

42
 
 
     




  
     
    



               


 

 
      



   

  


       

     


       



   
        
 
   
 

                 

      


 




 

 

    

 

 

          


  
    



    
     




                      


 

 
      





        

43
      
      
  



      
      
       




                      


 

 

 


    

 






          

 


      




  
 
   
 



                           

 
 



 

 

 

      
 


 
     



  
    
           




                             


 

 

 


        

44
  
 
    

   
 


             
  
        
   
      





  
   
       
     
 


  
         

 

     !
"##$% &
 ' ( )  *     + %
  + % 

    
  
 
   
              


              

   
  
    


        
          
       
        

     



 
 '%,)
,
                     

               


           
     
     
         
    
         

    
45
  




 



  
 


 




 

   











 








 
 




  

 
            
 









  
     
 
   



     

      




   











          






    

      



  





         




46
      




         





 

 








  

         




  
 

 


  

      

      




  



  

 







! 
      
















 
 
  

"

                 

"



                
  
  
           

 
 



  

  #





  
 


                  





                
      
            

     



    


47
this page intentionally left blank

48
  
  











 
   
  
       

                      

     
                     

  
  

  
      

         
              
 
        


 
   
  


                

   

 


                         


  
      



      
 
         
 
  

      
 

      
    

  

      
  

     

    


           
           
             
        

49
 
          

           
 
    

        



      
 
       

     
     

   
      


                 
                        
 

         

               
 

 

 

       
 

 


     
     
   
     


   


 
 

    

   



 
   
  


                


    


   

             

  

 


    

     
 
      



   
   


 
  
  

     
   

          

50
 

       
 
! $



! 

"# "
%

#

                  
    
  

    
 

    
   

   

 

    
 

    
    
   
     

                   

51
 


   
 

  




  

































 
 


 



 






































      
  









 

 

 
 



 






























     
  



 
 

    




              
      
      



       



52


   



 
  




    


                
                



        
  

    
 
 

  
 
   

 
           
           
              





          
  















 

















 








 
 




       

  
  

 
 
 






 

                
 

              











         


53
 




 
 






   


  


 
 
              

  


                      









    
 




                            

   
 

                               





     



   

   
                        
 
     
 
                    




    

   



                             
 
                            

 
  
   


 
   
 

54
     



   
        
          
 
  
  
        
          





        


 
"#  
$

                     


  





             
         

 


        

! 



                          


       

                      

             




 

  
 


   
   

 



   
                        

  
 
                      




    

55
 

                               
  

                               





     



   

   

 

  

 
       


 
 
          








   

   
   



 
 
 
        



  


  

     
              
 


  
 %


 


 



              


 
 
              




                    

      

56
 ! 



 
                          
 

       

                   





   
   
 


   



&

                  
          
  
  
                
           



 
   


            
     
  


    
           
          



        

 



'
()* 
         

         
 
 
    
            
    



 
   

57
 




 











 
 

  
  
   
 
    

 
    
 

  

  

 
   

    


  

   







      

   







 
 
    

      
 

  
      
    
  
  
  

   


      

     

 
   
 


  



 




 


  


 


 

    

58
 

 
 
      
   
        
  



  
 
   
 
  


    

        

  




         
   
     
        
          



   
         




 
  
    
 
    
  
     

 
   


   
  

 
  


  
    
  


 

 










  



 



  







  



 



  


                    
     


      

   
  

 
  

  


  
 
  
 
 
   

 






 


    


 








 



    





 








                  
    

59
 


   
    
 
      
     
  

 

     

 
    
  
    

 



 



 






     



 

 
  

      
 








                         
     


  


   
   
 
   
 
  

    

    




    
 



 

  




   





 

  


                        
     

 


      




        


 


      


      








 
                  
    

60
  


  
  
  
     
 
       
    


 
 



  

  

    

  

 
    

  
   


    



 

  
   


    







 
      
  
  
  



 
      

  

  



     

     
  



 
 
    


     

 
   
       
 



  

 

 
  

  
 
     
         
    
  

    




  
 

  

   
  

      
 
  




             

  

          



   

61
 
 
   

  
    
 
    
  
     
 





   
 
 
 
 
   

 
  





  
  
  







  


 



  





  


 

  













    
        
  




 
 

 


 

  
 

  



 

   





 
   


 





  



    





 













   
    
    

 

     

 
    



 


 



 




 



62





   
         
    

    


  
    

        

    






    





 






 

 





     


 





  

 

 
 !
"

#$
%  

  
                
  

 

               



 




 

  

 




  

 


 


 
  

   












 
                        
      


 

                     
 

                    




   

    
    



 

  



    



  

  


                               
      

63
 & 

 

                     


 

                    




  

  

   
  

 

 






  







 
 

   


   




        



  




                           
      

&

                 

                



 





 





    





 

 
 





  






  





 

                        
     

64
 
  





                  

    

  

                 


    

 

  
  

  




   
  
 


  




    
 
  

       





                               
      

 

  


'


 


    

   
  


         
   
    


            


  

    

  

     
    
         


             




                           
     

65

 



 
 





      


        

          


  


  
  
   

 

    

   



     




  
 
 

     




     


            


   

 
   
  

   

 

 


                  
  
        
        


           



 
  


 
 
    

   
 

 
 


   
   

 
  
       
   

    
 
 

 
  



     

  
   


    
 

 
     
 

          
 

66
 

 


    
  
 


  
 

  







    

 
 

 
 

 
  
 




       

  
    
 
      
  
  
 

                  
            

 


   



    



 
    



 
  
 
    

          


  

  
   

  

  
 
     




 
 
    
    



 

 

    


   

 
  

 
  


           
  

         
  
  
     
   
 




     
 
 
 
   





 
   

67
  


  

   



 


 

   
  

     

  


       

              


            


    
 

   


    
 


   
 

 

  


        

 

   
  
     

 

 



 
 

       

 
     

   
    
  

  
  

     
     

     
     
    
  


              
       

  

!


  

  



   
  
       


  

          
 
   

  
         



    

             



 

   
     

        
     
68
 
""  
 


    
 

  
 
 
   
                  

  

             
       
        
     

  

       

   
   
     
              

  
   
  





                   

"!

 
   
                                      

 
   
    
                         
     

  

#

                                



        
                      







   

 

  
    



 




       

     

69

 
 





 
  



    
  
   


 

 
  
   
   


   






  
     

   

 
 


 

     
   

 

  
         
            
     
  





      
 

      
  
 
 
  
     
   
    



 

 
      

 
  


   

 
  





  
       
 



 
 

 

     
    



 

  
 

   


 


     

   




  
 

70
 
 
 
         


        
  

    

        
 
   
       



 

 
       
 
  
   
  
 



 
  



71



  

 



         








  



  

 

   

                          





   

 

  

 

   

                  
             


                          




 








 
 

 
 








 
 





                  
             

72
 
   
     

             

    


     
                 

 




              

                  
              


   
      

                

     


     
                       









             
                      
                

 
           

          

           

  



 

 
           
             





              
            
                  
   

73
 

      
     

    
                           



   

     

       

         
 
                         
                



 
          

       
                        





                   

     

    
                        
               



          

     
                        



     
 
           

        
                  
             

74
   

          

      
                        



                 




     

    

                   
            

 
 



 
  
!
!
"

#
"!
$



$!

      
"

%&
!
 
 
#
 
  

               

           


      
           
            
         


                  
 
      
      

 
$
%!
!
$
 ! $


%!
!

     
                          



75




 
  

   


     
       
   

 



            




               

   
          

 


              
 

   

         
     

       
        

               


        

            

 



               
           



 


  
     



              

  

76
 

   
    

                   
    


  

            

 



   
              
   


  
         

                

 



 
     
   
          




         
 


                 
  



         
              


 
      


              
  

77
 
     
                   



   

    
       


   
 
   

 

    



                
            



    


            
  

       

             
 


         
              



    

      
  

             
   



         
                




       

                 

 

78
 

                      



  

  

   
 



           

    

  

        


    
       
    
      



     

 


 

           

     
    


                   





     

 


       









             
          


 
       



 


        

79
 

  



  
            
       





       



 

        


 
            
       

    

    

  


    


          

  
  




          


 

  



   
   
 
     



             



     
                    



        
 


           

 

80
                   

     
       



      



     
      





                         



      

           

    

             
            




   


          
  
   

             
 

          
                
  



     
     

     

        

81
 
   
                   



  

 


  

 
        

 


                          
       


    

      
         

   
  
 

       

                       

 
      

    

           
            
  
            
  

  
                     


      




  

   
      

               
  

82
  
 


  

              
           




 
    

      

            
  









   
   

 
         

     


       
        


    
    



      

 
 
    

  


          


  
                             
     
 
      

  



  
   
 
     
   
  

      



                      
           
   



          

 

83
 
 
  
  
 

                
     


           
   


            
  

       

      



     
          

  
         


     
  
   
       
     



                

        



  

  

      
 

           
       
 



     
     
            

 
     



    


 

                   

84
 
           
               






  


      


 


  
    

    








 

  


       

85
  

 





 






 

 










 


                

  





  
   


 














       




 


     








 
   
 

















      




 

  

86
 

    












     
 





 


















   
 



             












  



 

   


             




















 

 

87
   
  

                   

 

  




    



 




  

 
 



   
 
 



  

 
 




  

 
    

  
 


 

 
 




 

 
    

 



  

!" #

   

 



 







    
 
 


88




 



                                 






 


 

 




             
                  


             
 




     

         
            
    

  


    




  
       
          

    
     



                              





           

     



           
 



          
                

89

      

        
    
         

 
             


           
    
                


     
 


       
  
   


             
  

      
 



   

   
               


     

       
  
   




                       

           
    
          


                   


           

        


   


90
    
        


            


   
 
          


      
   
               

  

    
     

         
      


 
      
     


 
  
  
 
 
 
    

  


                    
   





 

   



       
                   
 

 
                   
         

           



         
      

      

  



 


 
91

      
      
         
 
   
  




      
  
   
 


                        

  


  

  


              



 

      
    


 
  
 

     
       
                  

           

 



                    




                   

               
          
 

   

                                

      
 
 
   
 92 
this page intentionally left blank

93
   
 




 
 
 
       





      
 

      
      



    
 







  

            

       

                
 
              



   
  

  
                    
   




 
        
  
                 

          



 

 

 
  



 
 



 
  
      
     

94
 
                
       
       
        



 



 

     
            
           


 
        
  

                 

          



 

 

 
  



  




    
      
    


                 


    

       

         
          
     



  

    
         
      
 

95
 !


! 

!" !#

 

 !
! !! 

!" !
!   
              
 


                              
                        

    
   
         



     
 
    
             
        
                              

#

           
                         
 
                  
                       



 
  

       
 
    

         

  


   
     

!! !!
     
  
           




       
  
       
  
           
  


96
  
  
 

  



 

 
        



        


 

 


 


   

  

 

  



            
           



  
       






















           

  

           
                            



 
   
   


 
 


 
 


 
 


  
       



















                       

97

 

 
  

      






  


   











     

      
       
   



 



  



 



 






     

        
 
    
  

 

         
       



 

    



        


    

        
   



 

  

98
 
       
          




  


   







    
  


   
 
  
 
      
 



  



 
 








 
     



          
 

       


         
 
      




     
 

          



     
 


  
  
 


  
 



 

  
    
 

99
     
  

          
  
    

 



      
     

     





      


 

  



   

 
        



     




 
 
 


          

           

   

  


        

  



      
 

     
   
     



  




  
   









    

100
  

      

       



      



 
      



     

  



        
 
        

     
     


 
 




 

  

     




    
    

 

  

    
   



  
  
 


      
       

 



  
  





 



   


 

101
 





   
       







    


        
    




   
 


 






        


       



  
 


 

 



      
   


 
 

    
     
  
 



   
        




        


  

      
  





   
  


     


 

102
this page intentionally left blank

103
 


 


 



 
     
 

          



  
         





    
  


   

  

 










 





    



 

 


    
  
 
 
  





 
 

             
  



    
   
  


      



 

  
 
 
 

            
          



 

 


                 
     


 

          
                 



                     


   

104
   

              
                    


     

  
 
              
  

         
        
 

     





        
                  

105
 about the author
Grammy-nominated composer-
pianist VIJAY IYER has released
sixteen albums as a leader, including
Accelerando (2012),
Tirtha (2011), Solo (2010), and the
multiple-award-winning
Historicity (2009). He received the
2010 Musician of the Year award in
the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz
Awards, and his trio received the
Echo Award (the “German photo by Jimmy Katz

Grammy”) for best international

ensemble and the Downbeat Critics Poll for rising star jazz group of the year. Other honors
include the Alpert Award in the Arts, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, and
numerous composer commissions. Iyer has collaborated with Steve Coleman, Roscoe
Mitchell, Wadada Leo Smith, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Craig Taborn, Rez Abbasi, Ambrose
Akinmusire, David Binney, Liberty Ellman, Karsh Kale, Steve Lehman, Butch Morris,
George Lewis, Amina Claudine Myers, Miya Masaoka, Dead Prez, Dafnis Prieto, Das
Racist, Talvin Singh, Tyshawn Sorey, DJ Spooky, Imani Uzuri, Pamela Z, and John Zorn;
filmmakers Haile Gerima and Bill Morrison; choreographer Karole Armitage; and poets
Mike Ladd, Amiri Baraka, Charles Simic, and Robert Pinsky.  His compositions have been
performed by Ethel, JACK, Brentano String Quartet, American Composers Orchestra,
Hermès Ensemble, and Imani Winds.  A polymath whose career has spanned the sciences,
the humanities and the arts, Iyer holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Yale
University, plus a Masters in Physics and a Ph.D. in Technology and the Arts from the
University of California, Berkeley. He has published articles in Journal of Consciousness
Studies, Wire, Music Perception, JazzTimes, and The Best Writing on Mathematics: 2010, and is
on faculty at Manhattan School of Music and New York University.

http://vijay-iyer.com

106
107