Last Friday, I stepped out in NYC to attend my 1st concert since the start of the pandemic almost 2 years ago. I had been listening to Charu Suri play online and now that outside is finally open, I couldn’t miss an opportunity to see Charu’s second performance at Carnegie Hall (featuring her most recent composition of Sufi and Carnatic inspired jazz from Ragas vol. 2).
I met Charu Suri early on in my career as a beauty publicist, back when she was writing for beauty publications. Years later, I purchased her Ragas vol. 1 and loved her unique way of infusing raga and jazz. During the pandemic she tapped into the beauty of morning ragas, as well as several Songbook singles when she composed the "Book of Ragas vol. 2".
Charu has been playing the piano since the age of five and performing since the age of nine. She composed while she was a student at Princeton University, went to grad school for music, and never gave up on pursuing her passion.
Never giving up is what the Pink Girls Run The World (PGRW) movement is all about. Supporting our commitment to celebrating women who are making moves in the world that inspire and empower other women, Charu chatted with PGRW about music, travel and inspirational colors.
Photo Credit: Instagram @charusurimusic
PGRW: Ragas vol. 1 was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award and The Book of Ragas vol. 2 was recently submitted to the Grammys in the Jazz Instrumental/Improvised Jazz solo categories. What was the inspiration behind both collections of work?
SURI: The inspiration for both pieces of work stem from my upbringing in India, learning a lot of the Carnatic (South Indian) ragas, and also performing Western classical as a concert pianist from a very early age. When I fell in love with jazz much later on in life, after a trip to New Orleans, I wanted to pay a nod to my culture and bring something new to the table in jazz, and that's how this raga Sufi jazz fusion was born.
PGRW: You mentioned that you grew up listening to the waltzes of Strauss, especially loving the jazz waltzes. How have jazz waltzes influenced the direction that you decided to go in with your music?
SURI: Well, a good jazz waltz is actually hard to come by. In the repertoire, Waltz for Debby by Bill Evans seems to be one of the top, most played ones, and I wanted to write more jazz waltzes. Midnight Mood by Joe Zawinul is another, but I haven't performed or listened to too many jazz waltzes that actually made me want to...you know...waltz! So I decided to write a few of my own, inspired by Strauss. Hopefully they inspire people to dance!
PGRW: Color frequencies can impact our mood in the same way that sound frequencies in music do.. Sunsets are my favorite, because of their pink hues. Do you have a favorite color?
SURI: Yes, most definitely. I've always been drawn to blue. (I guess that's why Bluesy may be my most favorite piece?). All shades of blue calm me, and some shades energize me. The ocean blue is my most favorite. I am a passionate swimmer and try to swim almost daily. I am happiest in the ocean, or by the sea.
PGRW: Being the first Indian-born jazz composer to debut in Carnegie Hall is a major accomplishment. In addition to being a celebrated musician, you are an award-winning NYT travel journalist who has traveled all around the world and have lived on 4 different continents. What has been your favorite place that you have visited and what made it so special?
SURI: I've loved New Zealand for many reasons: the tranqulity, the natural setting, the diversity in topography and the people. It is such a beautiful, peaceful and warm country and I felt instantly at home.I could see myself living there.
PGRW: You lived in the US Virgin Islands for a few months last year and will be returning to St. Croix next month to perform at a New Year’s Eve Gala. St. Croix is known for its wonderful agriculture and strong ties to the island’s culture through food, architecture and music. What are you looking forward to the most during your visit?
SURI: I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with friends. I made a lot of friends on the island when I lived there over the winter and I look forward also to swimming in the ocean...St Croix's beaches and ocean are second to none---and I've traveled to so many islands. I feel really happy there!
Costa Rica. Photo Credit: Instagram @charusurimusic
PGRW: What is the best piece of travel advice that you have received?
SURI: You can always find a good story no matter where you go: it doesn't always have to be Paris or the Ritz---one of my best pieces I wrote early in my career for the New York Times was about a French restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska. A good traveler will find a slice of heaven anywhere.
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