Jarasum Jazz Festival opens in October with two-time Grammy winner Nate Smith

Asia's largest music festival will fill autumn nights with deep, soulful jazz melodies. The 23rd Jarasum Jazz Festival will take place Oct. 9-11 across Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi province. The biggest draw is the addition of legendary drummer 'Nate Smith', a two-time winner at the 68th Grammy Awards. With Smith set to reunite with Korean fans for the first time in 17 years, anticipation among jazz enthusiasts is reaching a fever pitch.

Masters return as global musical ties take center stage in a commanding 39-act lineup

Organizer Munhwa Hyunsang unveiled the festival's full 39-act main lineup on the 25th, led by 'Nate Smith'. Pianist and composer 'Tigran Hamasyan', who won the German Jazz Prize in 2021, is drawing attention with a bold performance that promises to break down the boundaries between jazz and rock.

A steady stream of international masters will also take the stage. Swedish saxophonist 'Mats Gustafsson', Australia's Indigenous Nyoongar singer-songwriter 'Bumpy' and Spanish vibraphone master 'Andres Coll Cosmic Trio' will fill the nights in Gapyeong with their music. Representing South Korea's leading artists, the 'Song Young-joo Trio', a mainstay of the country's jazz scene, and singer-songwriter 'Lee Han-chul', known for his positive energy, will add further depth to the festival.

Since 2011, the 'Jarasum Jazz Festival' has uncovered hidden jazz gems from around the world and served as a bridge for South Korean artists seeking to expand overseas. This year, it is presenting an even more multidimensional program. To mark the '140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France', the festival has selected France as its 'Focus Country' and plans to stage a meaningful cultural exchange project to strengthen the musical ties between the two countries.