Jazz pianist Kevin Hays returns to Korea after 18 years, Grammy-winning master’s hidden melodies

A perfect blend of tradition and innovation fills an 18-year wait

World-renowned jazz pianist 'Kevin Hays' will meet his South Korean fans for the first time in 18 years. Promoter 'Jazz Bridge Company' officially announced that Hays will give solo concerts on the 6th of next month at 'Cosmos Art Hall' in Seoul and on the 7th at 'Jazz in Lab' in Sejong. The performances will mark his first concerts in South Korea since the 2008 Incheon Jazz Festival, fueling enormous anticipation among jazz enthusiasts.

Born in New York, 'Kevin Hays' began playing piano at age 6 and demonstrated his talent early, performing with baritone saxophonist 'Nick Brignola' at 17. Beginning with his 1990 debut album, recorded with jazz saxophone legend 'Joe Henderson', he has released more than 22 full-length albums and played a central role in contemporary jazz.

His 1994 debut, 'Seventh Sense', released on the 'Blue Note' label, is widely regarded as a landmark album that established his musical identity. Hays experimentally fused the traditional foundation of swing with the distinctive rhythms and harmonies of the mid-1960s, earning critical acclaim and quickly elevating him to international stardom.

His musical achievements have also shone at the highest-profile awards in popular music. As a member of the 'Steve Gadd Band', formed in 2018, he won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the 61st 'Grammy Awards' the following year. In 2021, 'Steinway', the world’s premier piano maker, further cemented his standing as a master by naming him a 'Steinway Artist', an honor reserved for exceptional musicians.

A representative of promoter 'Jazz Bridge Company' said, "His playing retains jazz’s deep roots while embracing an adventurous spirit that is never bound by the grammar of the past." The representative added, "It will be a rare opportunity to experience live the breath of an irreplaceable pianist who represents our time."