Vijay Iyer, Alam Khan, and Nitin Mitta | Sanctuary
Mandala Makers Festival presents a rare night of music featuring an improvisational dialogue between piano, sarod, and tabla. This project began with a long-standing friendship and creative curiosity between pianist Vijay Iyer and sarod player Alam Khan, both of whom had worked independently with tabla player Nitin Mitta. When the three gathered in California for a two-day session, it unfolded as an unplanned yet deeply connected musical conversation. Born of spontaneity and mutual respect, this collaboration lives in the moment. Drawing from their shared fluency in improvisation, the trio recorded a series of intimate, exploratory pieces that became the foundation for their EP, Sanctuary, released Dec, 2025. These recordings reflect the spirit of listening and discovery that guided their first encounter.
About the Artists:
Vijay Iyer is a celebrated composer and pianist whose work defies categorization. Known for his innovation and emotional depth, he has been named DownBeat’s Jazz Artist of the Year multiple times and is a MacArthur Fellow and a three-time Grammy Award nominated artist.
Alam Khan carries the lineage of his father, the legendary Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and the Maihar Gharana of Indian classical music. A two-time Grammy Award nominated master of the sarod, Alam brings tradition into the present through boundary-crossing collaborations and soulful expression.
Nitin Mitta is an acclaimed tabla player whose versatility and sensitivity have made him a sought-after collaborator across Indian classical and contemporary music scenes.
The trio’s debut EP, Sanctuary, was released Dec, 2025, and captures the essence of their initial improvisational sessions. Performances will expand on this musical conversation live, offering audiences a rare and evolving listening experience
