Vijay Iyer's albums and projects cast a very wide net and draw together some vital areas of creative music making. They range from duets with his “hero, teacher and friend” Wadada Leo Smith to the chamber music of “Mutations” and the experimental film score “Radhe Radhe”. As a jazz pianist Iyer was initially inspired by Thelonious Monk, and his playing has retained an agreeable Monkish terseness, well displayed in Vijay's trio music and in his fiery sextet.