Not too often can you hear the sounds of authentic Indian music mixed with a heavy jazz influence. This artistic feel of soulful music literally expresses thoughts and feelings through the message of this unique mix.

The Manodharma Trio includes pianist Vijay Lyer, saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa and world-renowned musician Trichy Sankaran.

Lyer and Rudresh, who currently live in New York, are originally from India along with Sankaran. Sankaran has been known for his work in Indian music as well as his work at the York University in Toronto.

Last fall, Sankaran was persuaded by Lyer and Rudresh to form what is now the Manodharma Trio.

“We came together so well and share a common bond, a common ancestry,” Lyer said. “We had great chemistry right away, a natural affinity.”

Lyer and Mahanthappa confronted Sankaran and asked him if he would join them for a few shows, and he agreed. After the shows, the group came to the conclusion that what they had was too good to stop. A few months and a ton of shows later, the band is planning a CD and the release parties to go with it.

The age of the members ranges from 28 to 51, showing that the music not only breaks the barriers of different types of music, it also brings together generations of music to help create that uniqueness.

When the Manodharma Trio hits the Maintenance Shop tomorrow, they will combine an ensemble of piano, saxophone and Indian percussion to bring this very diverse and groundbreaking jazz music out.

“We are not noted as ordinary jazz musicians, jazz is a very broad term,” Lyer said. “We combine progressive, contemporary, and experimental, not physical jazz — music that comes from our own background.”

The group, which separately has played all over the world, is leaving on a basic Midwest mini tour that will consist of a stop in Chicago, Northwestern University and then ending in Ames.

“This is a unique project, people on campuses are very diverse,” Lyer said.

The Heartland was picked so the trio could expand and get their music heard, especially in the parts of America that don’t usually get a lot of diverse and unique music.

With a background of jazz and ethnic heritage with Indian music, this is just what Indian music needs to get exposure and to be considered one of our mainstream music interests.