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| Hyeseon Hong's New Release "Things Will Pass" As one of the first Korean jazz composers to transplant herself from the comforts of Seoul to the New York city jazz scene, Hyeseon Hong emerged with her large ensemble performing at the turn of the century in now defunct clubs in the East Village. These early experiments in Korean jazz fusion eventually led to the creation of her big band, which has since performed all over NYC from Birdland to the Jazz Gallery. Following the release of her first recording EE YA GI which documents all of Hong's work up to that point Things Will Pass highlights the next step in Hong's compositional evolution. With her deeper dive into the American songbook repertoire and theater work, she has also refined her approach to harmonic and rhythmic Korean/western fusion. She continues to find new ways to capture the distinctive differences and similarities between the two. The new album is the long-awaited follow-up to her 2017 debut recording, Ee-Ya-Gi, which featured veteran tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, who played with the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. Personal reflection and resilience after a major loss, are the main themes of Things Will Pass. Helping Hong craft those evocative sound pictures are some of New York City's finest musicians who comprise the Jazz Orchestra. They include: tenor saxophonists Perry and Quintin Nachoff; alto, baritone and soprano saxophonists Alejandro Aviles, Andrew Hadro and Ben Kono; David Smith on trumpet and flugelhorn; trombonist Mike Fahie; guitarist Matt Panayides, pianist Broc Hempel and vocalist Aubrey Johnson. Hong is a master at evoking a number of jazz moods and grooves, from the bouncy, backbeat of "Road to Hana" and "We Will Meet Again, " the reminiscence of "Waltzing with Dad, " and the mid tempo cadence of "Treasure Hunt, " to the tenor saxophone feature on "Night Climbing, " mysterious and slightly frightening "Dance with Dracula, " and the wistful, Asian atmosphere on "Memories of Ladies" and "Raindrop's Journey." A native of Seoul, South Korea, Hong received a Bachelor of Music from Yonsei University, earned Masters of Arts in Jazz Performance from NYU, and studied improvisation and composition at City College. She served as assistant professor at Dae Gu Art Music College in South Korea, and taught classes in jazz arranging, composition, theory and piano. Hong alternately worked in New York City and Korea, and eventually settled in the New York City area, and was the recipient of the prestigious Copland Fund for Music composers grant in 2017, the same year she released Ee-Ya-Gi, which means "Stories" in Korean. Never taking a moment to pause, she is also a member of the prestigious BMI Jazz workshop as well as an advanced member of the Lehman Engel musical theater workshop. She has studied Tennessee Williams amongst other theatrical works. These recent deep dives into American musical styles have had an important impact on her more recent big band compositional approach. She is already working on new music for the next recording. Hong is a master musician who weaves dreams into vivid sonic landscapes, and turns sorrow and loss into enduring and endearing art. Artist: HYESEON HONG JAZZ ORCHESTRA Title: THINGS WILL PASS Artist Website: hyeseonhong.com https://pacificcoastjazz.com Release Date: August 23, 2024 Label: Pacific Coast Jazz Catalog Number: PJ94621 UPC Code: 829166946218 Pronunciation For: Hyeseon Hong It's Hey or Hay Sun. TRACK LISTING 1. Road to Hana 6:29 (Mike Fahie tbn, David Smith tpt) 2. Memoirs of Ladies 7:34 (Rich Perry t. sax) 3. Raindrop's Journey 6:56 (Broc Hempel pn) 4. Run Away 6:20 (Alejandro Aviles a. sax, Matt Panayides gt) 5. Waltzing With Dad 6:11 (David Smith flugel) 6. Treasure Hunt 7:07 (Mike Fahie tbn, Ben Kono s. sax) 7. Night Climbing 6:15 (Rich Perry t. sax) 8. Dance With Dracula 7:20 (Matt Panayides gt, Andrew Hadro b. sax) 9. We Will Meet Again 5:01 (Quinsin Nachoff t. sax) (indicates soloists) All music composed and arranged by Hyeseon Hong HYESEON HONG JAZZ ORCHESTRA: Woodwinds: Ben Kono - soprano sax, alto sax, flute and wooden flute *6, Alejandro Aviles - alto sax and flute *4, Rich Perry - tenor sax *2, 4, Quinsin Nachoff - tenor sax and clarinet *4, Andrew Hadro - bari sax and bass clarinet *8; Trumpet and flugelhorn: John Lake, David Smith *5, Colin Brigstocke, Jonathan Saraga; Trombones: Mike Fahie *1, 6, Daniel Linden, Nick Grinder, Becca Patterson; Rhythm: Broc Hempel - piano *3, Matt Panayides - guitar *4, 8, Evan Gregor - bass, Jeff Davis - drums; Vocals: Aubrey Johnson *4, Lauren Lee; Whistle: John McMahon *3; Aux percussion and instruments: Hyeseon Hong and Matt Panayides * indicates track soloed on Whistle: John McMahon *3 Aux percussion and instruments by Hyeseon Hong and Matt Panayides Producer: Matt Vashlishan Co-producers: Hyeseon Hong, Matt Panayides Lyrics on "Run Away" by Dorie Clark, and Katherine Burger. Album photos by Paris Pijuan. Artwork and Graphic Design by Taelbum. Recorded by Aaron Nevezie at Bunker Studios June 3rd and 4th 2023. Additional recording by Chris Sulit at Trading 8 Studios. Mixing and Mastering by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Recording. write your comments about the article :: © 2024 Jazz News :: home page |