I was invited to a live talk show hosted by the legendary folk musician Daesu Han. In this interview, my EP ‘They Brought A New Kind of Music To Me’ and I as a jazz artist were introduced.
On May 16th, I had an opportunity accompanying performers from Drew University’s Department of Theatre and Dance at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
It was a big pleasure being part of an event celebrating the great singer Ella Fitzgerald and accompanying a group of performers.
This performance was conducted by Marion Cowings.
This young man creates wonderful music, free and easy as goldfish in a pond.
He’s Kihong Jang, a guitarist with a quiet compelling lyricism. This post is to celebrate the release of his debut CD, out on Gut String Records.
And it’s delightful. Before you read another syllable, listen to this:
Isn’t that delicious?
The session was recorded in late October 2018 — how very fresh! — and it features Kihong on the guitar you see here, JinJoo Yoo on piano, Neal Miner on string bass, Jimmy Wormworth on drums, performing YOU BROUGHT A NEW KIND OF MUSIC TO ME / GOLDFISH, GOLDFISH! / FLAMINGO / LESLIE / GENEALOGY / GOLDFISH, GOLDFISH! in an alternate take.
FLAMINGO, LESLIE, and the title track are Kihong’s compositions; the others are by JinJoo, Kihong’s musical and life partner. And for those who quail at a CD of “originals,” several of these compositions…
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Kihong’s First EP <They Brought A New Kind of Music To Me> has just released!
I am so happy to announce that my first debut EP ‘They Brought A New Kind Of Music To Me’ is released!
I owe a lot of inspirations to all of jazz musicians who enlightened me with their beautiful music. I learned how to appreciate and deeply listen to this music from you all!!
My heroJimmy Wormworthplayed drums and the one and onlyNeal Minerplayed bass in this recording. My best friend/pianist/(and also)loveJinJoo Yooplayed white and black keys.
P.S Now CD’s are available for online stores also on major streaming services(Apple music, Spotify, Youtube, Pandora etc..!)CD baby : https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/kihongjang
Kihong visited Baku, Azerbaijan to participate an international jazz competition. He won a prize and had interview with the Azerbaijan national broadcasting system.
Translation
Interviewer: “My interviewee Ki-hong Jang, who won the 3rd prize in the instrumental competition, is originally from Korea. But he is continuing his creative activity in the United States.”
Ki-hong Jang : “I’m really honored with this 3rd prize. My impression about Baku is that it is a city where modern and history coexist. Newly built buildings and buildings of the Soviet era gave me a stunning emotion. The musician who I collaborated with on the Gala concert amazes me with his traditional Azerbaijani music sound. Salaam alaikum salaam Azerbaijan!”
Kihong Jang‘s debut record as a leader is the antithesis of the hectic, anxious character of many contemporary jazz releases. The guitarist’s unassuming approach contains an impressive degree of depth and certainty for a young musician. The disc’s six tracks offer affably swinging sounds that aren’t particularly knotty, convoluted or strained. Original compositions, choice of tempos and solo statements evince the virtues of temperance and economy. Jang and pianist Jinjoo Yoo (both presently based in the New York City area), have sanded off some of the edges of bebop without devitalizing its essence. In league with a couple of veterans, bassist Neal Miner and drummer Jimmy Wormworth, they don’t come off as devotees of bop as much as utilizing it as a point of departure in forging their own identities.
Jang’s relaxed improvisations unfold easily without fuss or pretense. Lagging a touch behind the beat, his single note lines never hesitate, or pause to regroup and reach for more ideas. The upshot, particularly on the title track, as well as Yoo’s compositions “Genealogy” and “Goldfish, Goldfish!,” is a quiet, subtly soulful authority. A fair amount of heat from Yoo and Miner moves in Jang’s direction. During Jang’s tune “Leslie,” Yoo’s comping maneuvers politely but firmly around the guitarist, applying a modicum of pressure without crowding him. While Miner consistently walks with just the right degree of weight and emphasis throughout the record (he distinguishes himself as a soloist as well), there’s something special about the genial momentum generated by him and Jang.
The sense of continuity that is integral to Jang’s playing is also at the forefront of Yoo’s efforts. And not unlike the guitarist, her lines are trim and deceptively persistent. In the title track she generates interest by stressing select notes, making them sparkle and shine a little more than the others. She engenders a kind of courtly, swinging movement on Jang’s “Flamingo.” Yoo’s clarity of expression during “Genealogy” is seasoned by slightly edgy changes in emphasis.
Miner’s and Wormworth’s pilotage of the pace of each track is truly a stroke of good fortune for Jang and Yoo. They are the ideal bass and drums team for straightforward jazz that amiably simmers instead of carrying-on to make a point. Equally adept at brushes and sticks, Wormworth doesn’t command much space, yet he’s always present in a supportive role. The conventional ride cymbal rhythms during Jang’s “Goldfish, Goldfish!” solo, small, barely audible, and in synch with Miner’s walking line, make a genuine impression.
They Brought A New Kind Of Music To Me is a satisfying and consistently enjoyable recording. And it’s not a stretch to anticipate Jang’s growth and continued development (and Yoo’s as well) in the future.
Track Listing: They Brought A New Kind of Music To Me; Goldfish, Goldfish!; Flamingo; Leslie; Genealogy; Goldfish, Goldfish! (alt).
Personnel: Kihong Jang: guitar; Jinjoo Yoo: piano; Neal Miner: bass; Jimmy Wormworth: drums.
Title: They Brought A New Kind of Music To Me | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Gut String Records
Kihong Jang 