SE:UM
Korean Folk Meets Jazz
Photo by Dongeun Kim
Photo by Dongeun Kim
Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
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Lecture & Demonstration
1:00 p.m.
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Concert
7:00 p.m.
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Gilliam Center for the Arts Black Box Theater
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
1 College Avenue, Wise, VA 24293
Free and open to the public
W. Campbell Edmonds Concert Series
Music enthusiasts, cultural aficionados, and curious minds alike are invited to immerse themselves in a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation as SE:UM takes center stage at UVA Wise. Renowned for their mesmerizing blend of Korean folk and contemporary jazz, the quintet will kick off their one-day residency on Wednesday, May 8th with a lecture and demonstration at 1 p.m., providing insight into the rich tapestry of Korean musical heritage and the evolution of their sound, with a performance to follow at 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public and will take place in the Gilliam Center for the Arts Black Box Theater at UVA Wise. SE:UM is brought to you in conjunction with Mid Atlantic Arts and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
SE:UM's performances transcend boundaries, seamlessly weaving the past with the present, tradition with innovation. Through their virtuosic musicianship and boundless creativity, the eclectic quintet offers a glimpse into the interconnectedness of global musical traditions while celebrating the distinctiveness of Korean culture. SE:UM is Joon Lee (gayageum, Korean percussion, music director), Jaeha Lee (contrabass & electric bass), Jongsang Park (trumpet, flugelhorn), Hanmin Cho (Korean percussion, voice), and Hachul Song (alto & soprano saxophones). Through years of collaboration, they've harmonized their individual styles, dismantling barriers between genres to craft a unique musical tapestry.
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In 2015, SE:UM’s debut album was nominated for Best Crossover Album and Best Jazz & Crossover Performance at the Korea Music Awards. They were also selected as a Choice Artist by the two biggest international performing arts markets in Korea, PAMS and APaMM. In the same year, SE:UM made a splash at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, receiving the highest five-star review. Since then, SE:UM has performed around the world from the UAE to the US, and expanded its musical boundaries collaborating with ever diverse partners.
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On this tour they will perform a concert titled Korean Breath: Ten Thousand Waves which includes music from their most recent album, Ten Thousand Waves. Recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the album is based on the Korean folktale about the legendary bamboo pipe that saved the perilous world.
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Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, therefore individuals with mobility issues or general questions are encouraged to call (276) 376-4520 or email the Pro-Art office at pro-art@uvawise.edu. For evolving conditions related to weather cancellations, or similar unforeseen circumstances, patrons are encouraged to check proartva.org for up-to-date information.
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This engagement is made possible in part through the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, the Columbus Phipps Foundation, and the Lee County Community Foundation.