Alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa came to New York City in 1997 and immediately began to integrate himself into the jazz scene. Work as a sideman was steady, but his true passion was to become a bandleader, something he attempted on his debut album Yatra. Although the album was received well, the limited distribution kept Mahanthappa's name from getting out and he stayed in the area to continue performing. More side work and a teaching gig kept him busy, but in 2002, he came back to the studio and laid down Black Water for Red Giant Records.