18
May 2025
12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Avid Learning’s Museum Lens: Curating Collaborations, Conversations, and Cultural Futures
Online
What common thread connects Louis Armstrong, Jelly Morton, Pete Fountain, and Sweet Emma Barrett? They are all jazz legends from New Orleans. This vibrant city, where brass bands fill the air with lively melodies, is the birthplace of jazz—a genre that has captivated audiences worldwide for more than a century. In New Orleans, jazz has flowed through generations, adapting and evolving like a living tradition
Immerse yourself in this journey of rich
musical heritage, from the classic Preservation Hall style to the more modern
“raga jazz.” Experience the lyrical melodies and soulful rhythms, all
influenced by the spirit of New Orleans by the masterful ensemble with Charu
Suri on Piano, Joe Lastie on Drums, Sharmi Surianarain on
Vocals, Shashank Das on Bass, and Arjun Chakraborty
on Drums.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of electrifying music that will have you tapping your toes and wanting an encore.
Award-winning pianist and composer Charu Suritreads fearlessly between genres and has been praisedby critics and audiences for pioneering a sound all herown.Using Indian ragas anchored to a certain time of day, shehas composed four albums, the latest being RAGS & RAGASwith John Patitucci on the bass, Joe Lastie from PreservationHall on the drums, and Steve Gadd on percussion. Her work hasbeen played by Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and New JerseySymphony Orchestra, among others.
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Shashank Das is an Upright & Electric Bass player from Delhi, India. A Sandberg bass artist & scholarship recipient (Jazz campus, Berklee, Holland) .He has studied with renowned musicians such as Larry Grenadier, Neil Swainson, Mark Turner, Jeff Ballard, Jorge Rossy, Petros Klampanis to name a few. Some of his prominent sessions include playing with Shai Maestro,Gonazlo Rubalcaba, Gil Golstein, Jazzaarau Cuban Spirit ensemble, Jazzcampus big band Charley Rose, Joao Bittencourt, Matteo Fraboni, Dan Costa, Aditya Balani, Pranai Gurung, Bhrigu Sahni, Jordan Johnson to name a few.
Read moreTracing the Birth of Jazz in New Orleans
Jazz, as a genre, has its roots in the culturally rich and diverse city
of New Orleans, Louisiana, around 1895. It is an art form that has continually
evolved and transformed over time, embracing a wide range of influences along
its journey. Although it began within the African-American community, jazz
quickly spread, capturing the imagination of many other groups in New Orleans.
Brass bands played a significant role in the city’s life, performing in
parades, concerts, political gatherings, and even at funerals. These
African-American mutual aid and benevolent societies brought their own
expressive styles to these events, encouraging community members to join in
with dance and celebration. Ragtime, a musical style characterized by its
syncopated melodies and lively rhythms, had a notable impact on the early
evolution of jazz, providing the foundation for its distinctive sound.
Preservation Hall: Preserving the Heart of New Orleans Jazz
Nestled in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, Preservation Hall stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the city's rich jazz heritage. This intimate venue, with its simple benches and wooden walls, transports visitors back in time to the golden age of New Orleans jazz. The story of Preservation Hall dates back to the 1950s when it was first established as a small gallery called the Associated Artists at 726 St. Peter Street. It was here that the gallery's founder, Larry Borenstein, invited local jazz musicians to perform during rehearsal sessions, sparking a revival of the city's beloved musical tradition. Today, Preservation Hall continues to showcase the talents of over 50 local master practitioners, presenting intimate New Orleans jazz concerts 360 nights a year. The venue's antiquity and modest furnishings create a unique atmosphere that allows the music to take center stage, immersing audiences in the authentic sounds of this iconic American art form.
What is Indo Jazz?
The intersection of jazz and Indian classical music, popular as Indo-Jazz, has a rich and fascinating history. At the core of both genres lies a shared emphasis on improvisation, though the approaches differ significantly. While jazz improvisation is characterized by spontaneous creation, Indian classical music draws from a complex system of rhythmic structures and modal patterns known as ragas. This unique blend of musical traditions has led to some groundbreaking collaborations and cross-cultural exchanges. One such landmark album is "Jazz Raga," which is considered a cross-genre breakthrough in the West. The album came by way of Hungarian guitarist and sitarist Gabor Szabo, who teamed up with an American rhythm section to create a captivating fusion of jazz and Indian classical elements. The 1960s also saw the "Jazz Age" emergence in Bombay, where Indian composers began merging jazz with the vibrant Bollywood music scene. This period they have paved the way for further exploration and innovation, with artists like Charu Suri, the first female Indian-American jazz composer, continuing to push the boundaries of this dynamic genre. As the worlds of jazz and Indian classical music continue to intersect and inspire one another, the rich tapestry of Indo-Jazz remains a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the universal language of music.
