This second recording from violinist Arun Ramamurthy’s trio sees him stretching himself compositionally, the set centring on a four-part suite which explores the Brooklyn-born player’s Indian roots.
Although raised in the US (New Jersey), Ramamurthy is steeped in the Carnatic tradition of Indian classical music, courtesy of his parents and his Indian-resident grandmother, dedicatee of the suite’s second part. The trio’s mission here is to combine Carnatic elements with a jazz sensibility, and they are resoundingly successful.
Drummer Sameer Gupta is adept at Indian rhythmic patterns as well as more familiar beats and jousts amiably with the violinist. The performances generally begin with a spell of collective improvisation, as before a raga. Bassist Damon Banks then usually gets to play a repeated figure while the other two have all the fun but that essential underpinning is what makes the whole thing cohere.
The leader maintains a rewarding improvisational flow, his glissandi taking on a characteristic Indian flavour that constantly hints at microtonality. In combination with the virtuoso percussion it’s an exciting sound, which also conveys considerable emotional depth. The four parts of the New Moon Suite – Brooklyn to Bangalore, Aaji, Mirrors, and the 16-minute Amavasya (new moon in Sanskrit) traverse an impressive range of moods in a synthesis of traditions that suggests the trio have much fertile ground to explore. The two additional pieces, Walk as One – inspired by the collective response to the killing of George Floyd in 2020 – and a version of a Carnatic song, Sri Valli, reinforce that impression.
The improvisational outlooks of Carnatic music and jazz seem wonderfully compatible, and it feels as if there ought to be more projects where they come together. Ramamurthy’s compositions, and his trio’s execution, are a striking realisation multicultural possibility and have given us a recording full of interest and delight.
Jon Turney writes about jazz, and other things, from Bristol. / jonturney.wordpress.com
