There's music that announces itself with a bang and sweeps you along a river of notes. Then there's music that gently invites you in, asking you to travel at its unhurried pace toward mysteries that unfold slowly. This is Love in Exile, an album by singer Arooj Aftab, pianist Vijay Iyer and bassist Shazad Ismaily. They are each celebrated: Aftab is the first Pakistani to win a Grammy, Iyer is a MacArthur Foundation genius and Ismaily is a former sideman for Lou Reed, among many others. They're appearing on Tuesday, October 17th at Hodgson Concert Hall. Iyer is one of his generation's leading jazz pianists. He and Ismaily create lush soundscapes that cushion Aftab's rich voice, which peals out like liquid gold.
Love in Exile
