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Seung-Hee: Sketches on the Sky

By Mark F. Turner
April 13, 2013
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Brooklyn-based jazz vocalist Seung-Hee possesses the composure of a seasoned chanteuse while demonstrating broader qualities that contain refined arranging skills, classical training, and multilingual singing. The South Korean native represents a soulfully empathetic performer and a composer who's not afraid to take chances as witnessed in Sketches on the Sky, the follow up to 2009's memorable self-produced debut, Waiting.

With a top-notch band that includes the brown-toned reeds of

Adam Kolker

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Kolker and rising pianist

Frank LoCrasto

piano
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank LoCrasto, Seung-Hee offers an eclectic mix with new material and unique covers such as

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden's "Bohm So Ri" now colored with Korean lyrics. "Sketch Part I" begins the set with a chamber-esque theme that switches tempos and lifts to the skies with unison voice/instrumental acrobatics, and jubilant swinging solos held in check by bassist

Ike Sturm

bass
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Ike Sturm and drummer

George Schuller

drums
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">George Schuller. It's followed by "I'll Be Here" where Seung-Hee's lyrics exude bittersweet longing and graceful symmetry with Sturm's affecting arco.

Seung-Hee's fearlessness is displayed in the unique versioning of

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder's "Vision" or when tackling the Edu Lobo Brazilian classic "Pra Dizer Adeus." She not only balances different languages but also the ability to use her voice as an expressive instrument that rivals Kolker's tenor flights in

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans's "An Elliptical Note." Her artistry and passion for music is infectious throughout the set, culminating with the charming children's song "By the Sea."

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Sketch Part I; I'll Be Here; Winter and Then; Bohm So Ri; Sketch Part II; Pra Dizer Adeus;Visions; An elliptical note; Valparaiso; By the Sea.

Personnel

Seung-Hee

vocals

Seung-Hee: voice, compositions and arrangements; Adam Kolker: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Frank LoCrasto: piano; Ike Sturm: bass; George Schuller: drums.

Album information

Title: Sketches on the Sky | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Sorien Music

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