"A World of Piano” - a solo piano series curated by GRAMMY®-winning composer and pianist Geoffrey Keezer. Named after Keezer’s favorite album by the great jazz pianist Phineas Newborn, Jr., “A World of Piano” will showcase an extraordinary lineup of emerging voices, marquee performers, and forward-thinking artists who embody the present and future of improvised piano music.
CHARU SURI is a 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 album, SHAYAN, blends evening ragas with world music, encouraging people to sleep better and healthier, debuted August 22nd everywhere and had a sold-out premiere at Carnegie Hall in July. The album features the talents of Premik Russell Tubbs (flute), Anita Lerche (vocals), Tess Remy-Schumacher (cello), Ron Korb (flute), Ravichandra Kulur (flute), Philip Vaiman (violin), Siyer (vocals), Haruna Fukazawa (flute), Venezuelan Strings Recording Ensemble, Peter Sterling (harp), Ramya Shankar (ukulele) and is mixed by Siddhant Bhatia, mastered by Lonnie Park.
One World Music called SHAYAN a work of genius. The album charted Top 50 World and USA albums on its debut.
Her previous albums were focused on jazz, showcasing her unique and trailblazing style blending Indian ragas and jazz. RAGS & RAGAS, was recorded with John Patitucci on the double bass, Steve Gadd and Joe Lastie on the drums, and debuted recently at #3 on the iTunes jazz charts, and reached #2 in Kenya. Her previous 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 won numerous awards. She was named Entertainer of the Year (Gold) by ISSA at its annual awards ceremony in Atlanta. Her VERONA WALTZ from her previous album, RAGAS & WALTZES was awarded Best Jazz Song in North America at the Intercontinental Music Awards in 2023, and she received the Crossover Artist of the Year crystal trophy in 2025.
Charu also became the first Indian artist to collaborate with Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New Orleans on her latest album, RAGAS & WALTZES, that features drummer Joe Lastie. Previously, she has released "The Book of Ragas" and "The New American Songbook" at Carnegie Hall. She performed at Carnegie Hall for the fith time in July, 2025 and made history.
On May 13, 2023, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performed her work for the very first time at NJPAC in the family-friendly "Hooray for Bollywood" concert and will also perform arrangements of hers of popular Bollywood tunes.
She is a Governor of the Recording Academy New York Chapter.
