
Sunday (18:00)
Isaiah Jay Thompson
[Concert Introduction] Isaiah J. Thompson Trio First Live in Seoul <Currently the Most Highly Received Rising Star in the American Traditional Jazz Scene> Pianist and composer Isaiah J. Thompson is an exceptional young pianist who won the 2023 American Piano Awards and was selected as a Steinway Artist. He is currently one of the most sought-after traditional jazz pianists, performing with jazz masters such as Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and John Pizzarelli. He has been invited to perform on various stages and in media outlets, including Lincoln Center, the Detroit Jazz Festival, and NPR Tiny Desk. His latest album, "The Book of Isaiah," has received high praise from numerous media outlets for its exquisite blend of gospel and blues influences with jazz. His performance, marking his first visit to Korea, will be a concert where audiences can witness the future of the New York jazz scene vividly, alongside the playing of a young pianist who carries on the legacy of American traditional jazz. In particular, Sebastian Rios, bassist of the trio “New Jazz Underground”—which is already garnering attention in the New York jazz scene for its sensuous blend of hip-hop and jazz—and drummer David Alvarez III, who has played with the Clayton brothers and Benny Green, will participate to present authentic jazz with a more modern sensibility. Key Points to Watch Point 1. An exciting and dynamic performance recognized as authentic New York jazz (Straight Ahead Jazz) Point 2. An outstanding performance by a rising American jazz star selected as a Steinway Artist Point 3. A sophisticated and modern performance by young musicians representing the New York jazz scene “His music embodies a spirit that elevates faith, music, race, and humanity to a more hopeful level” – Jazz Times <Isaiah Jay Thompson Profile> Pianist Isaiah Jay Thompson, a native of New Jersey and a graduate of the Juilliard School, is a rising star in authentic jazz who has distinguished himself early on. In 2018, he won second prize at the Thelonious Monk Competition, the most prestigious international jazz competition, and received the Lincoln Center Emerging Artists Award in the same year. In 2019, he was selected for the Young Stars of Jazz project led by Wynton Marsalis, performing at the Jazz in Marciac Festival and on a European tour. In the same year, he was chosen as a member of the trio of swing guitar legend John Pizzarelli, with whom he continues to perform to this day. He won the prestigious American Piano Awards in 2023 and was officially hired as the youngest professor at the Juilliard School, his alma mater, in 2024. His music presents "spiritual jazz" that enriches the soul, based on the roots of jazz—blues and gospel—and in his original compositions, he expresses reverence for God as well as deep affection and respect for jazz music.
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