Two of jazz’s brightest young talents are set to converge in Ann Arbor, when the University Musical Society presents pianist Vijay Iyer and saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa and their combos at the Power Center on Feb. 12.

Iyer, who plays with an intellectual and dynamic approach, will lead his own trio, while Mahanthappa will lead an alto saxophone-heavy quintet, Apex, which pairs him with legendary alto man Bunky Green.

Neither Iyer nor Mahanthappa is a stranger to Ann Arbor’s jazz enthusiasts.

Both have appeared as featured performers during Edgefest at the Kerrytown Concert House in recent years, most recently with Mahanthappa joining trumpeter Amir ElSaffar in 2010 in the ElSaffar’s Two Rivers Ensemble. Mahanthappa was also a featured performer last year during pianist Danilo Perez's 2010 performance at Hill Auditorium.

Together, the two are at the vanguard of the current generation of jazz artists. Both blend a deep appreciation for jazz tradition, with a seemingly obsessive need to push the music to its limits.

The fact that both are able to achieve such “out-there” results without ever losing the inherent musicality of their playing is a credit to their abilities as composers and performers. In fact, the two have collaborated for years, each pushing the other to the edges of one another’s abilities and sensibilities.

“And I’ve worked with Vijay for over 15 years now,” Mahanthappa told jazzobserver.com. “That’s been a really valuable partnership.”

For the Power Center performance, Iyer will be joined by bassist Stephan Crump and drummer Marcus Gilmore. In addition to Green, Mahanthappa’s quintet will include pianist Craig Taborn, Francois Moutan on bass and Damion Reid on drums.

The pairing of Mahanthappa with Green is particularly compelling.

Mahanthappa’s approach has its roots not only in American jazz and western classical music, but also in Indian classical music. Green, on the other hand is a hard-bop veteran, best known for his work with tenor man Sonny Stitt. He played with Charles Mingus and was mentored by Cannonball Adderley. Now, he’s returning the favor.

Last year, the two co-released the album, “Apex,” from which their quintet gathers its name. The two play off one another fabulously, with Green adding bottom to Mahanthappa occasionally ethereal playing and Mahanthappa giving flight to Green’s bop sensibility.

Despite generational and stylistic difference, Mahanthappa said he and Green come from the same place, in that they both seek to bring to life the unusual musical languages they hear in their heads.

The two also share a rapid-fire approach to alto saxophone that should provide plenty of fireworks inside the Power Center.