Bringing a fresh take on Korean Jazz music, Chae Ji Hye blends traditional Korean music with its elements of joy and improvisation. He is in conversation with team Viva.  

Since how long have you been performing?

I have been a performer and composer for 18 years in various fields like jazz, pop and Korean music. In 2016, I started Chae Ji Hye’s Go Back Project and through it I am actively pursuing an original music style by combining traditional Korean music and jazz.

What made you combine jazz with traditional Korean music?

The music differs from other groups in that Korean traditional instruments and Western ones are in harmony. While playing jazz, I wanted to build a more personalised style of music. Jazz and traditional Korean music are very similar. Just as jazz has a major element of improvisation, Korean traditional music has an improvisational music genre called Sinawi. In terms of joy and improvisation, we try to showcase the jazz that embodies Korea of this age through its subtle harmony with traditional music.

A brief on the motto — Finding today’s solution from the past?

Its meaning is ‘to make and play original music of this age inspired by the past music of Korea. This  resembles jazz a lot in the sense of joy and improvisation which is reinterpreted in a modern way.

How is jazz different from other musical form?

It is the music of communication and of expression of freedom. Its most basic element is improvisation which is a combination of composing and playing. The greatest feature and charm of jazz is that it should be played instantly and according to the situation and place as opposed to prepared music.

While performing internationally, is it easy to connect with audience or do you find it difficult?

All of the band members of Chae Ji Hye’s Go Back Project have held overseas performances. This is the first time I have visited India, but I will try my best understand what the audience likes in order to create the best performance. Park Ji-Young, a member of the team, will play the role of interpreter for our team. We can communicate through her.

Jazz has not been explored much by Indians. What is the scope of this genre in the country?

In Korea, the genre of jazz is still unfamiliar to the public. So we try to play it in a manner that that they can enjoy jazz easily. I think this musical intention will appeal to the audience in India. In addition, Korean traditional musical instruments, unique playing methods, and tones in our music,  will attract Indian audience. In order to communicate with more local audience a famous folk song of India was composed by the repertoire in our own style.

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Writer: Team Viva

Bringing a fresh take on Korean Jazz music, Chae Ji Hye blends traditional Korean music with its elements of joy and improvisation. He is in conversation with team Viva.  

Since how long have you been performing?

I have been a performer and composer for 18 years in various fields like jazz, pop and Korean music. In 2016, I started Chae Ji Hye’s Go Back Project and through it I am actively pursuing an original music style by combining traditional Korean music and jazz.

What made you combine jazz with traditional Korean music?

The music differs from other groups in that Korean traditional instruments and Western ones are in harmony. While playing jazz, I wanted to build a more personalised style of music. Jazz and traditional Korean music are very similar. Just as jazz has a major element of improvisation, Korean traditional music has an improvisational music genre called Sinawi. In terms of joy and improvisation, we try to showcase the jazz that embodies Korea of this age through its subtle harmony with traditional music.

A brief on the motto — Finding today’s solution from the past?

Its meaning is ‘to make and play original music of this age inspired by the past music of Korea. This  resembles jazz a lot in the sense of joy and improvisation which is reinterpreted in a modern way.

How is jazz different from other musical form?

It is the music of communication and of expression of freedom. Its most basic element is improvisation which is a combination of composing and playing. The greatest feature and charm of jazz is that it should be played instantly and according to the situation and place as opposed to prepared music.

While performing internationally, is it easy to connect with audience or do you find it difficult?

All of the band members of Chae Ji Hye’s Go Back Project have held overseas performances. This is the first time I have visited India, but I will try my best understand what the audience likes in order to create the best performance. Park Ji-Young, a member of the team, will play the role of interpreter for our team. We can communicate through her.

Jazz has not been explored much by Indians. What is the scope of this genre in the country?

In Korea, the genre of jazz is still unfamiliar to the public. So we try to play it in a manner that that they can enjoy jazz easily. I think this musical intention will appeal to the audience in India. In addition, Korean traditional musical instruments, unique playing methods, and tones in our music,  will attract Indian audience. In order to communicate with more local audience a famous folk song of India was composed by the repertoire in our own style.

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Writer: Team Viva