Oct. 18-19: Emerald City Music Season 09 Opening Weekend: American Sketches featuring Kristin Lee and Pianist Jun Cho
High resolution photo available here.
Emerald City Music Season 09 Opening Weekend:
American Sketches featuring Kristin Lee and Pianist Jun Cho
Friday, October 18, 2024 at 8pm
415 Westlake | 415 Westlake Avenue N | Seattle, WA
Tickets: https://bit.ly/EmeraldOct2024Seattle
Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7:30pm
The Minnaert Center for the Arts | 2011 Mottman Rd SW | Olympia, WA
Tickets: https://bit.ly/EmeraldOct2024Olympia
American Sketches Album Release Date: November 15, 2024 (First Hand Records)
Downloads and CDs available to press on request
Seattle & Olympia, WA – Emerald City Music (ECM), led by founding Artistic Director Kristin Lee, opens its Season 09 on a theme of Global Resonance with two performances celebrating Lee’s debut solo album, American Sketches, out on November 15 on First Hand Records. The performances, with pianist Jun Cho, take place on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 8pm in Seattle at 415 Westlake (415 Westlake Avenue N) and Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7:30pm in Olympia at The Minnaert Center for the Arts (2011 Mottman Rd SW). During the concert at 415 Westlake, audiences can enjoy ECM’s flagship “date-night experience,” which combines vibrant classical performance with an open bar, and a “wander-around” concert setting with no stage dividing the audience from the musicians.
American Sketches captures the pride that Kristin Lee has for the U.S. as a foreign-born citizen, through tunes that embody a recognizable and spirited sound. “It’s been quite a journey in bringing this album to life, especially since this is my very first curated album. Through recording and creating American Sketches, I’ve gained a voice and better understanding of myself,” she says. “With the courage to share this album with the world, I’ve gained boldness and trust within myself. I’m embracing the changes that this process has bestowed upon me and eagerly anticipating how I will continue to evolve, bringing changes to my musical life.”
Lee and Cho will perform a program highlighting a wide array of stylistically diverse works from the album including Four Southland Sketches by H.T. Burleigh (1916); non-poem 4 (2017) by Jonathan Ragonese; and Romance by Amy Beach (1893); as well as But Not For Me by George Gershwin (1930), Lament by J.J. Johnson (1954), Entertainer by Scott Joplin (1902) arranged by pianist Jeremy Ajani Jordan, who recorded much of the album with Lee. In addition, Lee and Cho will also perform Sonata No. 2, Poeme Mystique by Ernest Bloch (1924) and Fantasy on Themes from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin (1935).
“My inspiration for my new album American Sketches lies in the celebration of differences,” says Lee. “It is the differences of people, environment, and encounters that ignite our curiosity, fuel our motivation, and inspire our creativity. By accepting and appreciating these differences, we pave the way for changes to our society. While adopting change is difficult for many people, it is a critical component in our ever-evolving world, particularly within the musical communities. The history of American music is a great example of this notion. From the Indigenous sounds of the Native Americans to the influences of Western Europe and Africa, the American sound merged and evolved into what we know as Ragtime, Appalachian Folk, Jazz, and so much more. The variety of musical styles represents the diverse culture of America, showcasing the beauty of individual expression and the celebration of American history.”
Emerald City Music (ECM) is the Pacific Northwest home for eclectic, intimate, and vibrant classical chamber music experiences. Deemed “a welcoming and more inclusive environment for intimate music-making” (The Seattle Times), ECM hosts world-renowned musicians in unique concert experiences. Founded in 2015, Emerald City Music produces and tours seven productions annually, with each tour visiting venues including Seattle’s South Lake Union (415 Westlake, a chic contemporary venue with an open bar), Olympia’s Minnaert Center (a 495 seat modern concert hall), a once annual concert at the Bellingham Music Festival, and an annual concert in New York City.
About Jun Cho
Pianist Jun Cho is a multifaceted artist known for his versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. His performances have captivated audiences in major venues across the United States, South Korea, and Europe. A passionate collaborator, Jun frequently shares the stage with esteemed musicians such as Itzhak Perlman, Philippe Quint, Stefan Jackiw, Ray Chen, Clive Greensmith, and Randall Goosby, among others. As a featured pianist with the Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet, a winner of the Latin GRAMMY® Award, Jun brings the rich tradition of tango to life in renowned New York City venues such as The Iridium, Joe’s Pub, and Barbès.
In the past, he served as a faculty member at the Heifetz Institute and taught at the Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Division at Rice University. Currently, he is an artist-faculty member at the Perlman Music Program and serves as the studio pianist for violinist Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School. Additionally, Jun assists Juilliard piano faculty member Julian Martin, demonstrating his commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians. His students and mentees have achieved notable success, from winning regional competitions to securing places in prestigious music programs and embarking on international careers.
About the Artists: www.emeraldcitymusic.org/season-artists
About Kristin Lee, ECM Artistic Director: www.emeraldcitymusic.org/team/kristin-lee
About ECM: www.emeraldcitymusic.org/about
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