On the recording, she is the first Indian composer to work with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New Orleans by collaborating with their legendary drummer Joe Lastie. Preservation Hall inspired Suri to start her own band just four years ago. This album brings her musical inspiration and the creation of her music full circle. “Working with Joe was a dream come true” says Charu.
Produced by Grammy® Award Winning, Lonnie Park, “Ragas & Waltzes” fuses the music of the East and the West with two raga-inspired compositions: the airy “Floating” with guitarist Noshir Mody, and Raga Hemant (version 2) with Native American flute performed by Al Jewer.
The album is dedicated as a tribute to Charu’s father who passed away in December of 2021.
“When I was in India, my father and I used to listen to Strauss waltzes as well as ragas - - that is how I want to remember him,” said Suri, who added that her father was someone who said: 'one must dance through life - - come what may...’”
The album also features violinist Philip Vaiman, harpist Denise Fink, and bassist Justin Lee. The artwork on the album was created by: Upasana Asrani which conveys the transformational and mystical aspects of life, symbolized by the lotus, which is India’s national flower.
Charu Suri is the only Indian woman performer to play a program of her own music at the legendary Carnegie Hall in NYC, where she will return for a third time in November of 2022. After a busy summer of performances here in the United States, she will also be embarking on a multi-city tour of India in September.
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