Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Vijar Iyer (c) will soon release a new CD, “Accelerando,” accompanied by drummer Marcus Gilmore (r) and bassist Stephen Crump (l). The disc — his 16th studio album — contains original compositions such as “Optimism” and selected covers, such as an engaging version of Henry Threadgill's “Little Pocket-Sized Demons” and the Duke Ellington piece “The Village of the Virgins.” Iyer is currently on a tour of several major U.S. cities including Portland, Ore., Feb. 25. (Jimmy Katz photo)