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Jihye Lee Orchestra: Infinite Connections

By Jack Bowers
October 3, 2024
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Jihye Lee Orchestra: Infinite Connections

Some eighty-odd years ago a handful of trailblazers led by saxophonist

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker and trumpeter

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie changed the vocabulary of jazz, introducing bebop as a successor to trad jazz and swing and radically transforming the music's landscape and perspective. Their terminology remained pretty much intact for a number of years, with partisans choosing a path between the diverse genres, until at last the very definition of jazz began to move in new directions with newcomers such as cool jazz, third stream, avant-garde (or free), fusion, acid jazz, rock and funk elbowing their way onto the field of play. Today, the language of jazz is broader than ever, not only accommodating the varieties already named but adding to them music native to various countries or areas wherein the idea and blueprint of jazz has been introduced and implemented. In other words, jazz with an international accent.

Which is a roundabout way of introducing listeners to South Korea-born, New York-based composer

Jihye Lee

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Jihye Lee and her orchestra, whose third album, Infinite Connections, neatly blends elements of American jazz with traditional music from her homeland. The contrast is conspicuous from the outset, as Lee and the orchestra explore the first of her nine thematic works, "Surrender," which, she writes, is "an active determination to trust, trusting the goodness of the whole." In practice, this is a rhythmically strong pastiche showcasing the ensemble's proficiency and the impressive chops of guest trumpeter

Ambrose Akinmusire

trumpet
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Ambrose Akinmusire who reappears later on the tender and tranquil "You Are My Universe."

Drummer

Jared Schonig

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jared Schonig takes the lead on the robust "We Are All from the Same Stream," bolstering admirable solos by trombonist

Alan Ferber

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Alan Ferber and tenor saxophonist

Jason Rigby

saxophone, tenor
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Rigby and setting the stage for Lee's loving tribute to her grandmother, "Born in 1935." Again, the Korean influence is there but does not intrude on or override the essential jazz viewpoint. The able soloist on alto is

Dave Pietro

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Pietro. The candid "Eight Letters," which follows, is rooted in Korean astrology, which says we are born with eight letters that determine our path in life, while "Karma" expresses in musical terms the transformation of women from chattel to shining lights in Korean society. The vibe is hopeful, the thud-heavy landscape generally pleasing, the apt alto solo courtesy of

Ben Kono

saxophone, tenor
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Kono, before which Rigby and guitarist

Alex Goodman

guitar
b.1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Goodman share blowing space on "Karma."

The engrossing "Nowhere Home" follows "You Are My Universe." Its ethereal perspective makes good use of rhythmic and percussive components, an integral feature of almost every number on the album. This is especially true of the muscular finale, "Crossing the River of Grace," which follows the handsome ballad, "In the Darkest Night." (Pianist

Adam Birnbaum

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Birnbaum takes the solo on "Darkest Night"; on "River of Grace" it is trumpeter

David Smith

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">David Smith.) In sum, Infinite Connections is remarkable contemporary jazz with a slight yet definitive Korean accent, marvelously written by Lee and impeccably performed by the orchestra with a special shout-out to the able-bodied rhythm section (Schonig, bassist

Matt McCloskey

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt McCloskey and percussionist

Keita Ogawa

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Keita Ogawa), who never falter even when carrying a heavy load on every number. For Lee and her splendid ensemble, the third time is a charmer.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Surrender; We Are All from the Same Stream; Born in 1935; Eight Letters; Karma; You Are My Universe; Nowhere Home; In the Darkest Night; Crossing the River of Grace.

Personnel

Jihye Lee

composer / conductor

Ben Kono

saxophone, tenor

Jason Rigby

saxophone, tenor

Jonathan Lowery

saxophone

Carl Maraghi

saxophone, baritone

Brian Pareschi

trumpet

Nathan Eklund

trumpet

Stuart Mack

trumpet

Mike Fahie

trombone

Alan Ferber

trombone

Nick Grinder

trombone

Jeff Nelson

trombone, bass

Alex Goodman

guitar

Adam Birnbaum

piano

Matt Clohesy

bass

Jared Schonig

drums

Keita Ogawa

percussion

Additional Instrumentation

Ambrose Akinmusire: trumpet (1, 6).

Album information

Title: Infinite Connections | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Mot��ma Music

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