Charu Suri
Urbanbuzzmag.com
By Nigeria Anderson
A Global Force Redefining Jazz
Grammy?nominated jazz pianist and composer Charu Suri is stepping into a monumental season, preparing to release two groundbreaking albums that further cement her place as one of the most groundbreaking artists in contemporary jazz and ragas. Her new project, Raga Etudes is a fusion sound of Indian tradition and jazz virtuosity. With Raga Etudes, Suri unveils a bold, genre?shaping project that marries the intricate beauty of Indian ragas with the improvisational soul of jazz. The album features traditional folk instruments from her South Indian heritage, including the kanjira, a rarely performed frame drum known for its lightning?fast rhythmic complexity. A single from Raga Etudes arrives mid?July, make sure you look out for it. The new album spotlighting the world?renowned percussion master V. Selvaganesh, celebrated for his kanjira brilliance and his mastery of konnakol, the ancient art of vocal percussion. The album’s first single also features Grammy® nominee Max ZT, whose hammered dulcimer artistry bridges Eastern and Western musical traditions with effortless grace. Charu Suri’s second album Bossa Raga is where Brazil meets India. Bossa Raga, pushes the boundaries of the timeless Bossa Nova, weaving Brazilian rhythms with the meditative depth of Indian ragas. In a historic collaboration, Suri joins forces with legendary bassist Ron Carter, who appears on two tracks in an extraordinary meeting of musical minds that promises to reshape the global jazz landscape.