Inspirational improvisation is the centerpiece of Phil Scarff's innovative new North Indian classical release, Ragas on Saxophone. The program includes compositions in popular ragas, a devotional song, and a folk song. The music on this live disc captures the energy of Scarff's concert presented in the Hirai Sangeet Mahotsav (Hirai Music Festival) held in Chandrapur, India, in a studio-quality recording. Joining Scarff on soprano saxophone is tabla virtuoso Bhushan Parchure, rigorously groomed by Indian percussion legends Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain. The disc opens with a meditative rendering of the twilight raga, Puriya Dhanashri. A short alap is followed by a composition in vilambit ektaal (slow 12-beat rhythmic cycle), based on the traditional vocal piece, Aba Turata Maana Aayé. Scarff transitions to evening raga Yaman for the traditional Eri Aali Piya Bina, skillfully reset from the original tintaal (16 beats) to the seven-beat rupaktaal. This segment concludes with an energetic, engaging traditional composition in drut tintaal. Next, Scarff surprises and delights listeners at the Hirai Mahotsav with a reflective rendering of a popular devotional song in Marathi, their mother tongue: Mogara Phulala, a Dnyaneshwari abhang, is based on Raga Gorakh Kalyan. Inventive improvisation is on display in Raga Rageshri with the vehicle Scarff's composition in madhya jhaptaal (10 beat cycle). The disc closes with an animated version of a popular kajri dhun from shehnai-icon Bismillah Khan's repertoire. Now an established North Indian classical saxophonist, Scarff has toured India annually for nearly a decade. While remaining true to the Hindustani tradition, Scarff introduces innovations informed by a career as a contemporary jazz and world-music improviser and his numerous collaborations with Indian, West African, and jazz masters. His performances on some of India's most coveted concert stages have consistently garnered acclaim. His concert at the legendary Tansen Samaroh, Gwalior, with Saskia Rao de Haas was "The highlight of the festival." [Dainik Bhaskar]. Appearances include Nehru Center, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and Dadar-Matunga Cultural Centre (Mumbai), Saptak School of Music (Ahmedabad), and Indian Council for Cultural Relations Theater (Delhi). "Phil Scarff… proving his masterful control of Indian classical music… beautifully played on saxophone, with the audience absolutely spellbound in rapt attention. He mesmerized the listeners throughout his entire two-hour performance.” – Loksatta, Chandrapur, India, review of performance in Hirai Sangeet Mahotsav, presented on Ragas on Saxophone. "Intoxicating music… Phil Scarff's rendition of [twilight] Raga Puriya Dhanashri… created the image of a multi-colored sunset lighting up the sky." – Sakal, Pune, India "Deeply meditative… masterful and elegant… truly inspiring." - www.examiner.com