Harish Raghavan - bass
Walter Smith III - tenor saxophone
Micah Thomas - piano
Emmanuel Michael - guitar
Craig Weinrib - drums
Illinois native Harish Raghavan has established himself as one of New York’s most in-demand and distinctive bassists “riveting to watch, a picture of control and total commitment.”
A vital presence on today’s international jazz scene, Raghavan has held the bass chair in the bands of Ambrose Akinmusire, Walter Smith III, Eric Harland, Taylor Eigsti, Gretchen Parlato, Logan Richardson, Ben Wendel, Tyshawn Sorey, Vijay Iyer, and Charles Lloyd, among many others.
Raghavan’s musical foundation began at age eight with the drum set and then Mridangam instilling the deep rhythmic sense that continues to define his sound. After picking up the electric bass at sixteen and moving to the double bass soon after, he discovered a lifelong voice in the instrument.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Jazz Studies from USC, where he studied with John Clayton and Robert Hurst and immersed himself in Los Angeles’ vibrant music community before relocating to New York. Over the past twenty years, his career has been marked by musical empathy, clarity, and a distinctive approach that bridges tradition with modern improvisational language.
Raghavan’s 2019 debut, Calls for Action (Whirlwind Recordings), introduced an arresting set of original compositions performed by a breakout band of New York peers. His acclaimed second album, In Tense (2022), deepened that vision — expanding his compositional palette while highlighting his evolving sense of texture, rhythm, and ensemble interplay.
An inspiring educator, Raghavan is Adjunct Faculty at The New School, and he teaches at workshops and masterclasses around the world. He continues to perform, record, and teach from his home base in Brooklyn, New York.
SPONSORSHIP
The Jazz Gallery is a not-for-profit arts organization presenting emerging artists who challenge convention, take creative risks, and lead their field as performers, composers and thinkers. We provide a platform for artists to discover their unique voice and a home for established musicians to continue to experiment and grow. At The Jazz Gallery, artists and audiences come together from around the world to explore new creative ideas, collaborate and celebrate jazz as a dynamic art form that reflects our ever-changing world.
We rely on the generosity of our members and community to keep the music playing, thank you for your continued and much appreciated support! If you would like to sponsor a Livestream Concert, please use the links above or be in touch with our Executive Director, Janet Luhrs, here.