2023-2024 Van Lier Fellow, DoYeon Kim, presents new work Sun Shower. This performance aims to invert tradition, by placing the gayageum, a Korean zither instrument (played by Kim), as the lead instrument supported by two master drummers—one American (Tyshawn Sorey) and one Korean (Yoon Ho-Se), as well as pianist Matt Mitchell and bassist Henry Fraser. This cross-cultural ensemble should prove very interesting, as Korean folk music lacks a harmony concept, and instead features intricate rhythmic cycles within a continually shifting and improvised tempo – an approach precisely opposite of the complex harmony and steady tempo typical of western music. All compositions will be original, and draw equally from the jazz, free improvisation, and Korean folk idioms. The performance will be as wholly unique as the ensemble itself: they are all accomplished improvisors, and together they bring equal representation of both western and Korean music traditions.

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Watch below or on YouTube.

DoYeon Kim is a traditionally trained Korean gayageum performer, who has developed a uniquely broad approach to music that incorporates Korean music, jazz, improvisation, and more, and is credited with introducing the gayageum to the improvisational music scene worldwide. DoYeon is the winner of numerous international competitions, including the Dong-A Ilbo Traditional Music Competition (Gold Prize, 2009) and the On-Nala Korean Music Competition (Gold Prize, 2011). She holds graduate degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and Berklee’s Global Jazz Institute. Her first album, GaPi (2017), was nominated for a 2018 Korean Grammy Award in the crossover album category. More recently, DoYeon was an invited music director for Gyeonggi Sinawi Orchestra, a traditional music orchestra in Korea, was recognized by Grammy.com as one of the 7 Musicians Pushing Ancient Asian Instruments Into The Future (2021), and is performing projects at Roulette as a Van Lier Fellow (2023).