Rajna Swaminathan plays mrudangam, the two-headed drum of the Carnatic music tradition in India. On Of Agency and Abstraction, Swaminathan drives her RAJAS Ensemble in a thoroughly winning fusion of Indian and jazz improvisation. Trumpeter Amir ElSaffar, tenor saxophonist Maria Grand, guitarist Miles Okazaki and bassist Stephen Crump are no strangers to cross-cultural endeavors, and they bring their combined experiences to bear on Swaminathan’s captivating compositions. Add violinist Anjna Swaminathan and vocalist Ganavya Doraiswamy for a immersive experience with a dozen original compositions. Swaminathan’s delicately nuanced hand drumming guides the music with a firm sense of direction. The instrumental focus shifts from tune to tune, with the singing violin of Anjna Swaminathan often out in front. Noteworthy passages, and there are many, include the arco bass and guitar introduction to Vigil, Doraiswamy’s keening vocal on the relaxed Departures, the swirl of trumpet, violin and tenor sax on Communitas, Okazaki’s fractured guitar solo on Retrograde, the relaxed interplay between Grand’s tenor and Swaminathan’s violin on the loping Rush, Grand’s expansive tenor solo on Vagabonds, and throughout, Swaminathan’s invigorating rhythmic complexity. Since the Fifties, there have been more than a few projects that have combined jazz and Indian music in various proportions. In her compositions and well-crafted arrangements, Swaminathan’s music achieves a seamless blend that’s uniquely satisfying. Absolutely recommended.
Biophilia Records; RAJAS Ensemble: Amir ElSaffar (tpt) Maria Grand (ts) Anjna Swaminathan (vln) Miles Okazaki (g) Stephan Crump (b) Rajna Swaminathan (mrudangam) Ganavya Doraiswamy (vcl); Astoria, NY, December 18-20, 2017; Offering/ Peregrination/ Vigil/ Departures/ Ripple Effect/ Communitas/ Retrograde/ Chasing the Gradient/ Rush/ Vagabonds/ Tangled Hierarchy/ Yathi; 72:09. biophiliarecords.com
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