Rajesh Mehta Selected Concert and CD Reviews

“Mehta’s compositions […] an intellectually knowing approach towards the musical structure, that in timbre and the joy of playing still offers enough room for emotional spontaneity” (Ken Vos, Leids Dagblad, Netherlands)

Rajesh Mehta - Rohan de Saram - Trichy Sankaran (CD Innovative music meeting, True Muze Records, Germany)

“[…] it’s the level of creative interdependence within the trio that really astonishes…the music that emerged is continuosly inventive- no trace of a trite phrase, banal illusion, or premeditated effect, just consummately skillful design, and an extraordinary level of musicianship” (Julian Cowley, Wire Magazine, UK)

Critics Choice: 5 Stars, Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, Germany, Summer 2001

Rajesh Mehta CD Reconfigurations (Between the Lines Records, Germany) with the Mehta-Metric Ensemble

“[…] The [Mehta-Metric] ensemble plays with a chamber-like intricacy spiced with a subdued sense of cooperative interplay. Individual voices are melded together in the extended architectural form, with an emphasis on polychromatic interactions. Though a certain compositional formalism pervades, there is always a keen sense of sonic exploration.” (Michael Rosenstein, signal to noise, Canada)

TOP 10 CD of 2001, Steven Koenig, allaboutjazz.com

Rajesh Mehta solos and duos with Paul Lovens: CD ORKA (Hat Hut Records, Switzerland)

“[…] a shared sense of intuitive direction that made sponatneous improvisations sound as coherent as notated compositions” (Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe, USA)

Top 10 Live Jazz Performances for 2001, Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe

“[…] ORKA (CD) shows him to be one of the most intriguing exponents of the instrument at work. Not only does he apply extended techniques to the conventional horn; he also explores hybrid trumpet (with extensions), and grants a rare chance to hear the bass trumpet in action. These grittily creative investigations are especially invigorating, with none of the trumpet’s showcase flashiness. On all but three pieces he is spurred on by the pugnacious Paul Lovens, a suitably forthright and resourceful drummer.” (the WIRE, U.K.)

The Statesman Interview, Kolkata, India

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Innovative Music Meeting

Boston Globe Article on Rajesh Mehta by Jazz Critic Bob Blumenthal

Boston Globe Mehta-Lovens MIT Concert Review

MIT TECH TALK Interview with Mehta

Top 10 concerts for 2001 Mehta-Lovens duo