Steve Smith, George Brooks, Prasanna: Raga Bop Trio December 7, 2010

Composed of award-winning drummer Steve Smith (Journey, Vital Information, and innumerable rock, pop, and R&B sessions), saxophonist and composer George Brooks (Summit, Bombay Jazz with Larry Coryell), and guitarist and composer Prasanna (Dave Douglas, Vijay Iyer), the Raga Bop Trio play a fluidly inventive music that bravely and insightfully combines improvisational traditions from around the world.

Drawing upon the urgency and harmonic density of jazz, the rhythmic complexity and melodic richness of Indian classical music and a range of pan-African grooves, the uniquely-constructed trio’s self-titled debut album is simultaneously groundbreaking and refreshingly listenable. 

“From the Indian side,” Smith explains, “George Brooks brings his expertise in northern Indian Hindustani music and Prasanna – being from Chennai, India – is an expert in southern Indian Carnatic music. I grew up with the American jazz/groove concept, but starting in 2002, I’ve incorporated northern and southern Indian rhythms and rhythmic concepts into my playing.”

While Raga Bop Trio is the group’s first studio recording, the musicians have been exploring these hybrid musical concepts for some time.