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The Mahavishnu Project

Back in 1971, when guitar-god John McLaughlin left Miles Davis and (Tony William’s Lifetime) to form the groundbreaking Mahavishnu Orchestra, he was the first to combine the fire of Hendrix-drenched rock with the groove of Coltrane’s modal jazz & the ethereal Indian ragas of Ravi Shankar. The critics called it “jazz rock” (of course it was much more) and the result was nothing less than a musical revolution. The Mahavishnu Orchestra has since been cited as a major influence on everyone from King Crimson to Phish, and was in many ways one of the first electric jam bands. Not surprisingly however, the music of the Mahavishnu Orchestra hasn’t gone on to be covered and re-interpreted by the many bands it has affected, largely due to its extreme technical demands. That is, until now.

The Mahavishnu Project launches directly from where the original band abruptly left off. In 2001, this incendiary unit from New York City began performing their unique renditions of music from classic Mahavishnu discs such as Birds of Fire, Inner Mounting Flame and Between Nothingness & Eternity and Visions of the Emerald Beyond while remaining true to the cutting edge improvs of the original band, and to McLaughlin’s stunning compositions. Their take on the music must be quite special, as they have received the seal of approval from Maestro McLaughlin himself!

The Mahavishnu Project is led by extraordinary drummer/composer Gregg Bendian, widely known for his work with Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman, & John Zorn. Bendian has received rave reviews for his and Nels Cline’s Interstellar Space Revisited: The Music of John Coltrane (Atavistic), his band Interzone’s Requiem for Jack Kirby (Atavistic, 2001) and his sterling drum and vibes work on the long-awaited We Saw A Bozo Under The Sea (ZHR, 2001) by former Beefheart guitar whiz, Zoot Horn Rollo. Bendian’s talents are uniquely suited to the daunting challenge of another shining icon of creative music -- The Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Bendian is joined by guitar whiz Glenn Alexander -who's worked with L.Shankar & Randy Brecker, Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter keyboardist Adam Holzman, bassist Dave Johnsen (from Project Object: The Music of Frank Zappa) and violinist Rob Thomas, who’s worked with Andy Summers and Tito Puente.

The Mahavishnu Project has toured extensively throughout the US and Europe. The band has begun extending the Mahavishnu legacy into the future by including Mahavishnu-inspired original compositions in their shows. The Mahavishnu Project presents an electrifying live show that resurrects and replenishes the spirit of the original Mahavishnu's soaring melodies, intricate grooves and spontaneous, all-out jamming -- and yes, they‘re endorsed by the master - John McLaughlin himself!

The Mahavishnu Project: Return to the Emerald Beyond

Read "Return to the Emerald Beyond" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
February 13, 2007

One inherent risk of any tribute band is excessively literal treatment of the material. Since forming the Mahavishnu Project to honor guitarist John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, drummer Gregg Bendian has avoided every possible such pitfall. Bendian views this '70s fusion group's relatively small body of work as repertory alongside music by artists like Miles, Coltrane and Monk. TMP's first two releases put a distinctly personal spin on the music, expanding it and twisting it around without ever losing ...

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Extended Analysis

Mahavishnu Project: Phase 2

by Andrey Henkin
May 6, 2005

Mahavishnu Project Phase Two Aggregate Music

Being a Mahavishnu Orchestra (MO) cover band is a vastly different undertaking than playing the music of, say, Led Zeppelin or the Grateful Dead. By and large, those who would come to see a band like this (sticking to the first and only worthwhile incarnation) are not drunken yahoos yearning for a few familiar chord changes. This is complex, spiritual music that requires near-perfect execution just to be credible. To ...

231

Album Review

Mahavishnu Project: Mahavishnu Project- Live Bootleg

Read "Mahavishnu Project- Live Bootleg" reviewed by Walter Kolosky

by Walter Kolosky
November 22, 2002

Over thirty years ago, John McLaughlin and his Mahavishnu Orchestra shocked the jazz and rock music world with their highly volatile electric fusion explosions. Now this music is being reprised by The Mahavishnu Project, a tribute band which recently released a live album. Recorded on tour directly from the house soundboards, Live Bootleg offers a raw, vigorous, and heartfelt homage to the true supergroup of jazz-rock fusion.The MP consists of superb players who are all well established on ...

218

Album Review

Mahavishnu Project: Live Bootleg

Read "Live Bootleg" reviewed by Todd S. Jenkins

by Todd S. Jenkins
August 6, 2002

The old soul classic pretty well says it all: “Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby." In this era of repertory projects, from Henry Kaiser and Leo Smith's Yo Miles! to Ken Vandermark's assays of Sun Ra and Albert Ayler, it seems only logical that some die-hard fusion fans would revisit the legacy of John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra. Given the unparalleled technical might of that ensemble, it's a Sisyphean task to try and recreate an nth of the Mahavishnu spirit. ...

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Performance / Tour

Les Paul (Mon) Mingus Legacy (Tues) Mahavishnu Project Plays the Music of Jeff Beck (Wed) Bud Powell Birthday Celebration (Thu-Sun) at the Iridium Jazz Club

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
September 24, 2007

IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121 Sets At 8:00 & 10:00PM Effective immediately, minimums are $10/person/set for all show except Les Paul - $15 mins. EVERY MONDAY LES PAUL AND HIS TRIO JOHN COLIANNI - PIANO - LOU PALLO - GUITAR, NICKI PARROTT - BASS EVERY TUESDAY MINGUS LEGACY Sets at 8:00 & 10:00PM ...
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Interview

Mahavishnu Project's Gregg Bendian Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
March 5, 2007

Drummer Gregg Bendian knows all about adventurous music making; for over twenty years, this classically trained musician has led a number of stylistically diverse, forward-looking groups, whose leitmotif is controlled improvisation.

And if it is true what they say about the company you keep, then collaborations with saxophonist Ornette Coleman, pianist Cecil Taylor, saxophonist John Zorn, and guitarist Nels Cline and Derek Bailey speak volumes about Bendian's musical vision. This musical vision has driven Bendian over the last five years ...
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Performance / Tour

The Frank and Joe Show (Mon) Mingus Big Band (Tues) Mahavishnu Project (Wed) Feb. 9-12 Jimmy Scott at the Iridium Jazz Club

Source: All About Jazz
February 6, 2006

February 6, 2006 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com Sets at 8 & 10PM Fri. & Sat. 3rd Sets 11:30PM EVERY MONDAY LES PAUL AND HIS TRIO EVERY TUESDAY THE MINGUS BIG BAND EVERY SUNDAY BARRY LEVITT'S VOCAL JAZZ WORKSHOP & BRUNCH FEATURING THE BARRY LEVITT QUARTET BRIAN GRICE - DRUMS CHIP JACKSON - BASS DAVID SCHNITTER - SAX BARRY ...
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Performance / Tour

Mahavishnu Project presents Three Nights of Vishnu Fest in NYC

Source: All About Jazz
July 11, 2005

The Mahavishnu Project, along with many special guests, will be honoring the music of the Mahavishnu Orchestra this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night at NYC's The Cutting Room in what is billed as the first Vishnu Fest. In addition to the special guests, these shows will give many Mahavishnu Project fans the first opportunity to hear its acclaimed new guitarist Rocco Zifferelli. Interest in the legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra of the 1970's is expanding. This year, in addition to the continuing ...
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Performance / Tour

Mahavishnu Project in Boston/Somerville Nov 17

Source: All About Jazz
November 10, 2004

Performance / Tour

Mahavishnu Project to Embark on European Tour

Source: All About Jazz
October 7, 2004

Performance / Tour

Mahavishnu Project in Boston on June 30th

Source: All About Jazz
June 27, 2004

Fresh-off the successful release of their second album, Phase 2, the Mahavishnu Project will be playing an “ALL REQUEST SHOW" at Johnny D's in Somerville, MA on June 30th. The band is enjoying the spotlight lately as in addition to the critical and commercial gain from , it has begun a regular gig at the Iridium jazz club in NYC and is preparing for an upcoming European tour. “ALL REQUEST SHOW" (Audience members may request any tunes from “Birds of ...
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