| International Booking Opportunities
Hello and Happy New Year!
Alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa here writing to you from New York.
I'm not sure if you know me or know of my work. You may have seen a feature article about me and my new CD Mother Tongue (Pi Recordings) in the December issue of Jazztimes. This CD also received a 4 star review in the current issue of Downbeat. Additionally, Mother Tongue was named one of the "Top
Ten Jazz CDs of 2004" by several publications including the Chicago Tribune and All About Jazz. It peaked at #8 on US jazz radio charts and is currently at #15. In Canada, it reached #1 and stayed there for over a month.
Mother Tongue is currently selling quite well and getting considerable radio play in Europe and Asia.
You may also know my playing from my work with Vijay Iyer...
In addition to performance opportunities, I am currently looking to establish relationships with agents and/or managers. In seeing what I've accomplished thus far on my own, I believe that such a relationship would very beneficial and profitable for all involved. Initially, maybe a trial or provisional basis would be of interest to you.
I am offering the following ensembles:
Rudresh Mahanthappa Quartet (with Vijay Iyer - Piano, François Moutin -Bass, and Elliot Humberto Kavee - Drums)
Raw Materials (duo with pianist Vijay Iyer)
Dual Identity (duo and quintet with alto saxophonist Steve Lehman)
Dakshina Ensemble (Indo-Jazz septet featuring South Indian saxophone legend Kadri Gopalnath, World Premiere in May 2005)
All of these groups have made a strong impact on audiences internationally and I believe that they would be of great interest to you.
I encourage you to visit www.rudreshm.com to hear any of these groups, read more about me, and see what the press is saying. I've also pasted a brief biography and a few press quotes below.
I will be in Europe this Summer with Vijay Iyer's Quartet; it would be relatively easy to coordinate performances before, after, or during his tour.
I would be more than happy to send you a press kit including a copy of Mother Tongue at your request.
Feel free to e-mail me at rudreshm@earthlink.net.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best in 2005,
Rudresh K. Mahanthappa
BIOGRAPHY
Named a Rising Star of the alto saxophone by the 2003 and 2004 Downbeat International Critics Poll, Rudresh Mahanthappa is one of the most innovative young musicians in jazz today. By incorporating the culture of his Indian ancestry, Rudresh has fused myriad influences to create a truly groundbreaking artistic vision. As a performer, he leads/co-leads five groups to critical acclaim. His most recent quartet recording Mother Tongue on Pi Recordings has been named one of Top Ten Jazz CDs of 2004 by the
Chicago Tribune, All About Jazz, and Jazzmatazz to name a few and also received 4 stars in DOWNBEAT. Currently at #15, this CD reached #8 on US jazz radio charts and remained at #1 on Canadian jazz radio charts for over a month. As a performer, Mahanthappa has achieved international recognition performing regularly at jazz festivals and clubs worldwide. He has also worked as a sideman with such jazz luminaries as David Murray, Steve Coleman, Jack DeJohnette, Samir Chatterjee, Von Freeman, Tim Hagans, Fareed Haque, Vijay Iyer, Howard Levy, David Liebman, Greg Osby, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. As a composer, Rudresh has received commission grants from the Rockefeller Foundation MAP Fund, American Composers Forum, and the New York State Council on the Arts to develop new work. Mahanthappa has his Bachelors of Music Degree in jazz performance from Berklee College of Music and his Masters of Music degree in jazz composition from Chicago's DePaul University. He now teaches at The New School University. Rudresh Mahanthappa currently lives in New York where he is clearly regarded as an important and influential voice in the jazz world.
PRESS QUOTES
"definitely one of the strongest voices on the jazz scene" - All Music Guide
"Mahanthappa¹s chops are practically unparalleled. . . making music unlike
anything else in the city today. This kind of elevation and refinement is
not simply a cut above the norm; it arguably redefines the norm." - allaboutjazz.com
"Mahanthappa displays a visceral tone and a grab-you-by-the-collar attack
that dares the listener to turn away. [A] talent to keep a steady eye on." - The New Yorker
"Mahanthappa creates a music that is at once technically brilliant yet
musically cogent, harmonically adventurous yet expressively straightforward.
Mahanthappa takes listeners into fascinating Eastern Idioms that are
otherwise virtually unheard in jazz today." - Chicago Tribune
"ingenious" - BETJazz.com
"he has a significant role to play in jazz, not only as a composer, but as
an articulator of the form." - allaboutjazz.com
"Mahanthappa's a gifted conceptualist" - Village Voice
"Mahanthappa feels this music like lesser mortals feel 4/4 swing time. The
language that is the real subject matter of Mother Tongue is that of
acoustic jazz made in real time by real players. It¹s spoken everywhere,
but seldom with the degree of eloquence you¹ll hear on this stunning CD." - Signal to Noise
"This alto player has a tone like iron and charges from 0 to 80 in about
four seconds. He has been making his name playing tough, rhythmically
complicated, challenging music, more and more, by playing with his own
group." (highly recommended concert) - The New York Times
"some of the most distinctive sounds heard in jazz during the past few
years. . .a gifted player" [ with Jason Moran ] "Two of the dynamic players
to come along in recent years. . .Only a year ago it looked like these two
were part of the scheme for where jazz was going; now it looks more like
they represent where jazz is." - Gary Giddins
"alto monsta . . . expect tumult and introspection, chaos and resurrection,
terror and evolution." - The Village Voice
"His solos ring with an almost religious fervor" - Chicago Reader
"fiery alto blowing . . . Mahanthappa comes out smoking at every
opportunity." - Cadence
"heaven-storming" - The Los Angeles Times
"Compelling and fiercely individualistic... The vibrancy of his tone, the
unflagging drive of his rhythms, the speed of his bebop-influenced passages,
and the mercurial nature of his improvisational ideas establish Mahanthappa
as a player with a great deal to say." - The Chicago Tribune
"A prodigy . . . a saxophone phenom" - New City
Rudresh K. Mahanthappa
562 7th St., #15
Brooklyn, NY 11215
tel. +1 718 7684905
www.rudreshm.com
e-mail rudreshm@earthlink.net |
