Vijay Iyer is considered one of the most important jazz pianists and composers of the past 20 years.

Iyer started as a classical violinist who took lessons for 15 years but eventually became a jazz pianist who was mostly self-taught.

After gaining degrees in mathematics and physics, he began seriously pursuing music, having collaborations with many of the giants of the avant-garde and creating music that does not fit into any classifiable category

On this July 13, 2018 performance from the Funchal Jazz Festival, Iyer leads his sextet comprised of cornetist Graham Haynes (also playing an electrified flugelhorn), altoist Steve Lehman, tenor-saxophonist Mark Shim, bassist Stephan Crump, and drummer Jeremy Dutton, on “Chorale,” “Poles” and “Segment For Sentiment #2.”

– Scott Yanow