Though the New York pianist, who arrives in Ireland next week for a brief tour, is regarded as one of the most talented and original musicians of his generation, he also has a masters degree in physics and a PhD in cognitive science in his back pocket, just in case this music thing doesn't work out.

His mammy may be relieved, but by the looks of things, he's not going to need the qualifications. Iyer belongs to a generation of pianists - including Jason Moran, Uri Caine and Brad Mehldau - which has emerged during the '90s and has brought that most traditional of instruments to the very cutting edge of jazz.

Though each is unique and individual in his own way, all share the context in which they emerged.

American jazz in the '90s was just emerging from the long winter of the neo-conservatives who wanted jazz to hark back to its golden age, and if you happened to be black with a wardrobe full of sharp suits, so much the better.

Iyer doesn't fit that bill at all. The son of Indian immigrants, he grew up in upstate New York, where he learned to play first the violin and then the piano. Far from being a conservative, Iyer has shown himself to be open-minded and curious in the extreme. As well as the physics and the piano-playing, Iyer has also found time to write computer programmes that enable improvising musicians to interact with computers.

It's easy to see why Iyer has had such a fruitful relationship with alto saxophonist Steve Coleman, whom many would regard as the godfather of the modern New York scene. Iyer has worked with Coleman on a variety of projects, including the Mystic Rhythm Society, and the saxophonist's groundbreaking small group, the Five Elements.

But it is as leader of his own groups that Iyer is chiefly known, and he is bringing his working quartet to Ireland this month, including the saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, with whom he has collaborated for the last decade. The two share not only their Indian ancestry, but a deep musical empathy which can lead to some extraordinary moments in the music.

Plenty of same are expected when the Vijay Iyer quartet play Dolan's Warehouse in Limerick on Tuesday 25 April, The Half Moon Theatre in Cork (26) and The Sugar Club in Dublin(27). For more information visit www. note. ie.

Vocalist Diane Reeves may not be trying to reinvent music in the same way, but she is nevertheless an adventurous singer who is equally at home with the classic material of Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan - with whom she is most often compared - and the Motown soul and contemporary jazz that she grew up listening to.

Born in Detroit in 1956, Reeves was discovered by trumpeter Clark Terry at the age of 17 while singing in her high school band, and he encouraged her. Since then, she has developed something of a knack for working with senior jazz figures, recording with Quincy Jones, McCoy Tyner and Steps Ahead among others.

This year with her recording for the George Clooney film Good Night, and Good Luck, she became the first vocalist to win a Grammy for each of her last four recordings.

Reeves takes the stage of the National Concert Hall next Saturday 22 April as part of the Walton's World Masters series, which has already brought us singer Bobby McFerrin, percussionist Trilok Gurtu and last year's transcendent performance from Wayne Shorter and his group.

Joining the singer for the night will be Strings Attached, which includes guitarist Russell Malone.

Like Reeves, Malone is not trying to reinvent the wheel, but his impeccable be-bop playing means there'll still be plenty going on when the singing stops.