Seoul Jazz Festival to be Held on April 26-27 on Nodeulseom

▲ A poster of "2024 Seoul Jazz Festival," provided by the Korea Jazz Association on April 2, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The Korean Jazz Association announced on the 2nd that the '2024 Seoul Jazz Festival', a downtown jazz music festival, will be held at the Nodeulseom Complex Cultural Space from the 26th to the 27th.

The Korea Jazz Association has been hosting the Seoul Jazz Festival annually around April 30th, designated as UNESCO's 'International Jazz Day'. This year's event is characterized by all performances being free of charge.

The Seoul Jazz Festival will feature performances by jazz vocalist Jasmine Chen from China, vocalist Keiko Lee and guitarist Jiro Yoshida from Japan, and trumpeter Damon Brown from the UK.

On the first day, the world-renowned jazz pianist Benny Green will take the stage solo. Swedish jazz guitarist Ulf Wakenius will also perform. Collaborative performances with rising domestic musicians like drummer Soojin Suh will also take place.

On the 27th, an open mic session, a citizen-participatory jazz jam session, will be held on the outdoor grass field of Nodeulseom.

A performance by the Damon Quartet, led by British trumpeter Damon Brown from Manchester, will follow.

Next, famous jazz stars like jazz pianist and vocalist Maria Kim and Jumi Lee will perform at the 'Seoul Jazz Friends' segment. 

The Seoul Jazz Festival will culminate with the final performance, 'Asian Jazz All Stars'. This stage will feature jazz musicians from Korea, China, and Japan, including jazz singer Woong San, who is also the president of the Korean Jazz Association.

The Korea Jazz Association stated, "One reason to focus on this festival is to reflect on the meaning of the festival's slogan, 'Harmony and Peace, Love and Respect', especially now," and added, "Musicians from Korea and abroad have gathered to comfort the people exposed to ongoing wars and violence in the international community through jazz melodies and to take steps towards harmony and peace."

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