Steven Chelliah Shows Off His Own Music Genre In ‘Fuzasian’

Posted by VMan on July 21, 2023

Deep in the heart of Tanjore, India, where the sacred threads of Indian Carnatic music intertwine with history, Steven Chelliah’s lineage was written. Born into a family of Carnatic music composers, Steven’s initiation into the musical realm began tenderly at the age of six. However, it wasn’t just a tradition he was stepping into; it was the inception of an inventive journey.

Chelliah, a double alumnus of the revered Berklee College of Music, honed his craft under the illuminating guidance of industry stalwarts such as Mike Stern and Maria Schneider. But his education went beyond the halls of Berklee. He absorbed the theoretical genius of Joseph Schillinger and George Russell, and their influence on him is palpable.

His creation, the FuzAsian® Method, is a testament to his creativity and dedication. This avant-garde approach weaves Indian scales into the rich tapestry of Jazz, allowing for a chromatic and harmonic voyage that’s hitherto unexplored. With NYC’s Heights Music International publishing his authoritative text on the method, Steven’s name resounded in academic and musical circles alike.

But Chelliah is not just a theoretician. His album, FuzAsian, is a melodious echo of his evolution as a songwriter and vocalist. Here, Fusion Jazz doesn’t just meet songwriting; they dance in an entrancing embrace. Its lead single, “Dreams of Yesterday,” reminisces about the pursuit of the Californian dream, the notes speaking to Steven’s multifaceted ideals. From his guitar strains to the orchestrations that carry the scent of Quincy Jones’ legendary touch, every track feels like a timeless piece, echoing the legacies of Barry Gibb and Paul McCartney.

Chelliah’s touch is everywhere on the album. From its conceptualization to its engineering, with co-producer James Knoerl by his side, FuzAsian is Steven’s heart laid bare. It’s no wonder he holds a voting seat at the Grammy Recording Academy’s table.

In FuzAsian, Steven Chelliah isn’t just presenting an album; he’s offering a bridge – from the ancient rhythms of Tanjore to the bustling Jazz clubs of America. And what a magnificent bridge it is.

Tags: fuzasian, steven chelliah