Charu Suri: Rags & Ragas

To paraphrase an old saying: You can take the girl (geographically) away from the raga, but you cannot take the raga away from the girl...

Pianist Chatu Suri was born in India, where the raga holds sway, and she listened to the ragas her father played on the radio. But she left her homeland and has lived in four continents. New York, at this writing, is her current home. But the raga has stayed with her, on her albums Book Of Ragas (2019), Book Of Ragas Vol II (2022) and Ragas and Waltzes (2022), all on Amala Records.

Rags and Ragas came about after several of Suri's trips to the Crescent City, where she experienced the New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band. She then found a way to blend New Orleans ragtime with the songs of India. Her effort is a beguiling brew of the timelessness of the music of India and the exuberance and playfulness of The Big Easy, with a dash of funk thrown in for good measure.

"Bourbon Street Stroll" is a Hindustani (North Indian) raga. It is a festive stroll, featuring saxophonist Berta Moreno, who sounds somewhat lonely in the middle of the festivities. Suri's piano prances, Charlie Sabach's oud weaves a lovely texture. "Parade" has momentum, stepping more quickly than the preceding stroll. And "Raga No. 1" features the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's drummer, Joe Lastie, Jr., along with bassist John Patitucci and keyboardist Kobi Arad, who takes an extended Fender Rhodes solo which sparkles, enhancing the joy of the proceedings.

"Bhairavi Blues," with Steve Gadd on the brushwork and Joe Lastie Jr. in the drummer's chair, is steeped in a languid groove. Suri lays down late-night riffs on this most American atmosphere; what could be more American than well-executed blues?

"Spring In New Orleans" is a tip of the hat to Miles Davis. It features Suri at her most introspective in an opening piano solo before she sways towards the ebullient end of the spectrum, her keyboard work nimble, dancing with the prettiest delicacy,

Rags And Ragas, a New Orleans meets India affair, plays out as a rousing success. Charu Suri's finest album to date. Ink it in for one of the top jazz albums of the year.