The Ritual Ensemble blends the improvisatory traditions of jazz with those of Indian classical music, with the singular voice of Ganavya Doraiswamy at the forefront. “Ganavya creates a lush twine out of American and South Asian traditions, and on Aikyam: Onnu, this vocalist and scholar’s majestic debut album, the upshot feels more like an expansive invitation than any definable hybrid…No matter the lan­guage or the content, Ganavya’s voice is a thick ephemera, like smoke as dark as ink, just coming off the fire.” (Jon Pareles, New York Times, 5.4.2018) DownBeat’s “Jazz Artist of the Year” for two years running and a 2013 recipient of a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, Vijay Iyer is among the most freely creative and forward–thinking musicians of our time. This week at Jazz Standard, the pianist, composer and bandleader will present a series of special projects that together will comprise a high point in New York’s musical year. Vijay Iyer – piano Yosvany Terry – saxophones Ganavya Doraiswamy – voice Rajna Swaminathan – Indian percussion (mrudangam)