RAGS & RAGAS

Rags & Ragas is the fourth studio album by Indian-born pianist and composer, Charu Suri, and stylistically, her most accomplished "raga jazz" work blending Indian ragas and jazz. Recording with musical legends Steve Gadd, John Patitucci and Joe Lastie from Preservation Hall, the album uses diverse ragas (modal scales) from India as the basis for improvisation. With 7 tracks, each one meant to be played a particular time of day as is the tradition with ragas, the album takes the listener on a journey through a day. In this album, which All About Jazz has described as "Suri's finest work....one of the top jazz albums of the year," there is a seamless blend of the ancient with the modern, and ragas are offered to the listener in novel and exciting ways. Raga Rag No. 1 features an extended piano solo by Israeli-born pianist, Kobi Arad, and the track "Parade" based on evening raga Bhupali was arranged by noted composer/arranger, Grammy® award winner, Brent Fischer. The tracks are complemented by Charlie Sabach on Oud, and Berta Moreno on the saxophone. The track, Jackson Square Waltz, was composed inspired by a tune by Debe Gunn. The entire album is an ode to New Orleans, through the lens of the Indian raga; a totally original and new way of looking at jazz.