Acclaimed alto saxophonist, composer and educator Rudresh Mahanthappa is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in contemporary jazz. Raised in Boulder, Colorado, he studied at the University of North Texas, Berklee College of Music and DePaul University before emerging on the New York jazz scene in the late 1990s.
Mahanthappa has received numerous honors, including nine Alto Saxophonist of the Year awards in DownBeat magazine’s International Critics’ Poll. He currently serves as director of jazz at Princeton University. His collaborators have included pianist Vijay Iyer and alto saxophonist Bunky Green.
Mahanthappa has also developed a distinctive musical approach through his exploration of connections between jazz and the classical music traditions of South India, including a notable collaboration with Indian saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath.
On November 3, Mahanthappa brings his Hero Trio to the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis. The group reimagines music by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Keith Jarrett, alongside interpretations of songs by Johnny Cash and Stevie Wonder.
Cultural Manifesto’s Kyle Long spoke with Rudresh Mahanthappa about Hero Trio and his musical influences.
