FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION
JOURNEY: Global Music Performance
Charu Suri on Raga Etudes and bringing Indian ragas to the piano
Journey, the album’s first single, is where that idea comes to life, giving listeners a first taste of Charu’s new musical direction.“All these études, popular and indispensable as they were, were still based on the 12-tone scale. I longed for something different and a unique sonic palette, and the ragas drew me in.”
Rather than simply combining two musical styles, Charu wanted to explore what could happen when the piano met the melodies and spirit of the raga. “I actually never seek to combine them artificially. They draw me in. The track brings together Charu’s piano with the rhythmic sound of the kanjira and the textured tones of the hammered dulcimer.
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DON'T MISS CHARU'S SIXTH CARNEGIE HALL APPEARANCE ON NOV. 13, 2026
CHARU SURI is a Grammy®-nominated pianist and composer who treads fearlessly between genres, blending several styles and fusing Indian ragas with more traditional jazz.
Born in South India, she was a piano prodigy performing in various concert halls at an early age. Charu's latest single is JOURNEY, her pioneering raga-based etude featuring "kanjira" legend V. Selvaganesh. It is on the ballot for the upcoming Grammy® awards in Global Music Performance.
Her previous record, SHAYAN, was nominated for a Grammy® in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (Jazz) category in the 68th Grammy® Awards. SHAYAN debuted in the Top 50 World Albums and blends evening ragas with classical and jazz, encouraging people to sleep better and healthier.
RAGS & RAGAS, was recorded with John Patitucci on the double bass, Steve Gadd and Joe Lastie on the drums, and debuted at #3 on the iTunes jazz charts and reached #2 in Kenya. Several albums charted #1 in India in both the jazz and overall albums charts.
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 been performed by Yo Yo Ma, Ron Carter, Steve Gadd, John Patitucci and many more. Her upcoming album, Bossa Raga, recorded with maestro Ron Carter, will premiere at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 13, 2026.
Her work has won numerous awards. She won two Josie Music Awards in 2026 for Musician of the Year (Piano) and Album of the Year in New Age/World. She was named Entertainer of the Year (Gold) by ISSA at its annual awards ceremony in Atlanta. She has won the Intercontinental Music Awards four times, and she received the Crossover Artist of the Year crystal trophy from Elite Music Awards in 2025.
Charu also became the first Indian artist to collaborate with Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New Orleans. She is a Governor of the Recording Academy New York Chapter.
Follow her @charusurimusic on Instagram, and @CharuSuriTrio on Facebook.
