By John Redmond
Contributing Writer
A renowned international fusion band, E'Joung Ju Ensemble, will give performances over the weekend at the National Theater of Korea June 21-22. Curtain time is 8 p.m.
The show will also give audiences the opportunity to see for the first time in Korea, famous French band Seb Martel with their special brand of rock, blues and folk music.
The ensemble is a Seoul-based multinational music group, which focuses on creating harmonies that transcend traditional limitations.
The ensemble was established in 2005, when Lee Joung-ju joined creative forces with Australian musician Daami Cagney (classical guitar, clarinet, harmonica, mandolin) for a one-off performance in an uptown Seoul art gallery.
Lee is a Korean geomungo player who, with a background in traditional music, had a chance to play with more contemporary Western instruments in a Korea-Japan festival in 1995. Since then, her interest in fusing musical genres has expanded exponentially.
Immediately realizing the beauty and uniqueness of the sound they had created, they were compelled to take this fusion of genres even further.
Soon after, they were joined by English-Canadian Brian Rose who, with a passion for ethnomusicology, brought to the group a unique blend of Western and Middle Eastern tones ― specifically the folk guitar and the Turkish saz, as well as the artistry of combining the differing styles in composition. Thus, the trio was complete.
Since 2005, the ensemble, often joined by special guests, have played various venues throughout South Korea, performed live for national radio and TV and successfully completed two tours to France in 2006 and 2007.
Their first album was released in 2006 and was immediately successful. (The opening track Gil reached number one on the Korean traditional music download charts ― the album itself reaching number three)
The ensemble offers the audience a unique fusion of musical instruments and styles from across the globe. Not only composing original pieces, the trio also arranges traditional melodies from their respective cultures and performs them in a way no group has ever done before.
This time, the famous Brazilian percussionist Valtinho Anastacio will perform with them as well as Korean dancer Lee Ga-young and pianist Park Pyoung-ah.
Seb Martel
Primarily, Seb Martel is an interpreter. He is the idol of an emerging Parisian vocal genre which expresses the best of blues, rock and folk influences in the French language.
His diverse talents are reflected in the many celebrated artists with whom he has collaborated. These names include DJ Mehdi, Sinclair, Alain Chamfort, Teri Moise, Enrico Macias, Femi Kuti, Frank Monnet, Bum Cello, Julien Loureau, Magic Malik, Salif Keita, Camille and even M.
His performance shows a rare sensitivity and a developed eclecticism: a passionately genuine artist.
Admission fee is 70,000 won, 50,000 won and 30,000 won. For directions, log onto www.ntok.go.kr (Korean/English).
Local transportation: leave Dongguk University station (subway line 3) at either exit 6, (10 minutes along the walkway) or exit 2, (take the shuttle bus. Buses operate at 40, 20 minutes before every performance.)
Booking tickets: Interpark: 1544-1555 www.interpark.com Kabinett: Buy one ticket get one glass of wine (gmgr@kabinett.co.kr) Mignon-Terrace: Buy one ticket get one glass of wine (mignon.terrace@gmail.com) Mee Ra Baudez 010-5018-1807 (mbaudez@yahoo.fr)