Rez Abbasi belongs to an emerging group of second-generation Indian musicians, together with Vijay Iyer and Rudresh Mahanthappa. Won second place in the 2011 Down Beat Critics Poll, category Rising

Continuous Beat

Rez Abbasi belongs to an emerging group of second-generation Indian musicians, together with Vijay Iyer and Rudresh Mahanthappa. Won second place in the 2011 Down Beat Critics Poll, category Rising Star Guitarist. This prepossessing guitarist has made a string of worthy albums in recent years, and on Continuous Beat he connects with an especially responsive rhythm team of 15 years: bassist John HÃ©bert and drummer Satoshi Takeishi. Their rapport, and the choice of repertoire, nods to the memory of Paul Motian, a master drummer and composer/bandleader with whom Abbasi had plans to collaborate before Motian s death in 2011.

Rez Abbasi has been forging new musical territory for over a decade. Continuous Beat (Enja) is his most daring recording as it captures him playing in an interactive setting throughout. In addition, Abbasi recontextualizes his Indian/Pakistani musical influences, as well as covers from Keith Jarrett and Thelonious Monk, by employing various electronics. With this multi-textural approach, there is a subtle coexistence between a warm jazz guitar trio and one that pushes perceptual bounds.

Continuous Beat