Jarasum Fest beckons jazz lovers

By Kwon Mee-yoo

“Around the world of jazz in three days.”

That’s what’s on offer at the eighth Jarasum International Jazz Festival starting this weekend on Jara Island and the Gapyeong area in Gyeonggi Province.

Started in 2004, the autumn jazz festival has grown to become the largest jazz fest in Asia, drawing some 755,000 visitors over the last seven years, including 168,000 last year. With the opening of Gyeongchun railway line passing through Gapyeong and the long weekend with Monday being National Foundation Day, the organizers expect an even bigger crowd this year.

The three-day jazz festival will feature 81 jazz groups ― 36 of them feature top-notch players from 21 countries including the United Kingdom, France and Brazil along with 45 groups of amateur musicians.

This year's line-up includes jazz from various parts of the globe. Latin jazz band Cubano Be, Cubano Pop will heat up the mood, while Norwegian pianist Ketil Bjornstad presents the essence of lyrical pianism reflecting Northern Europe.

American jazz pianist Geri Allen will play a repertoire comprising of bebop to free jazz with her Timeline Band and Tower of Power, a 10-member horn band which has been performing together for over 43 years.

Other musicians participating include Tunisian oud player Dhafer Youssef, Israeli jazz saxophonist Eli Degibri, an Italian piano and trumpet duo Danilo Rea & Flavio Boltro and American jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel.

Korean musicians will also grace the stage. Kim Na-hyun, the winner of Jarasum International Jazz Concours last year will open up the festival and veteran jazz trumpeter Choi Sun-bae will perform with the Cho Yoon-seung Chamber Society. Garion with Soul Steady Rockers, Bae Jang-eun and Zebra (JK Kim Dong-uk Jazz Trio Project) will join as well.

The festival is composed of nine stages offering different programs and two of them ― Jazz Island and Party Stage ― are open for paid guests only while the other seven are free. Jazz Cube will stage acoustic authentic jazz while Festival Lounge offers more comfortable music during the daytime. JJ Station is a stage set in front of Gapyeong Station and JJ Spot will tour around the city of Gapyeong and Jara Island area.

The international bonanza of jazz music also features a competition to nurture young jazz musicians. The finalists will compete at Jazz Palette stage on Monday. The winner will be announced at the closing ceremony of the festival and awarded a prize of 10 million won.

Artists will offer unique souvenirs at the Jazz Art Shop, while the festival-goers can sample specially prepared jazz “makgeolli,” Korean rice wine, and jazz wine, produced exclusively for the music fete.

A one-day pass costs 40,000 won for adults and 30,000 won for youths at the door. For more information, visit www.jarasumjazz.com.