“Ink it in as one of the top jazz albums of the year” — All About Jazz
CHARU SURI is a pianist and composer who treads fearlessly between genres, blending several styles and fusing Indian ragas with more traditional jazz into a style she has pioneered, called “raga jazz.”
Born in South India, she was a piano prodigy performing in various concert halls at an early age. Charu’s most recent album, RAGS & RAGAS, was recorded with John Patitucci on the double bass, Steve Gadd and Joe Lastie on the drums, and debuted recently at #3 on the iTunes jazz charts, and reached #2 in Kenya. Her previous albums have charted #1 in India in the Jazz and overall albums categories.
With mood-invoking ragas (to be played according to the time of day) for many of her compositions, she weaves techniques and sounds from several places including India, Europe, and Africa.
Her work has won numerous awards. She received eight nominations in the International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) Awards in 2023,and was named Entertainer of the Year (Gold) by ISSA at its annual awards ceremony in Atlanta. Her VERONA WALTZ from her previous album, RAGAS & WALTZES was awarded Best Jazz Song in North America at the Intercontinental Music Awards in 2023.
Charu also became the first Indian artist to collaborate with Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New Orleans on her latest album, RAGAS & WALTZES, that features drummer Joe Lastie. Previously, she has released “The Book of Ragas” and “The New American Songbook” at Carnegie Hall. She returns to Carnegie Hall for the fourth time on Friday, April 5, 2024.
On May 13, 2023, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performed her work for the very first time at NJPAC in the family-friendly “Hooray for Bollywood” concert and will also perform arrangements of hers of popular Bollywood tunes.
Follow her @charusurimusic on Instagram and @CharuSuriTrio on Facebook.