| Jazz |
As you know, I have a particular affection for acoustic trios or groups, and here I am treated by this fantastic trio composed of John Chin on piano, Jeong Lim Yang on double bass, and Jongkuk Kim on drums. The latter two wonderfully support this work, delivering breathtaking solos on this piece by John Chin, whose melodies are absolutely sublime. It’s easy to understand why, especially when looking at his career: pianist and composer John Chin is a modern veteran of the New York jazz scene, having played a major role since his emergence in the genre in 1998. A Grammy-nominated sideman alongside René Marie (Sound of Red, 2017), Chin has performed with some of the most beloved figures in jazz, such as Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Mark Turner, Dayna Stephens, and Ari Hoenig, among others. Now, with five albums as a leader, Chin embarks on a journey to explore the concept of identity in America by delving into his personal identity as a Korean-American and his virtuoso creative identity in the grand American art of jazz. Leading a trio of Asian-American jazz musicians, including Jeong Lim Yang (double bass) and Jongkuk Kim (drums), Chin presents *Journey of Han*, a delicate reflection on personality and persona through diversity and individualism.
Here, we find ourselves in a form of jazz that, while very enjoyable, also contains highly intellectualized compositions. This is to be expected from the title of this album, which in itself is an invitation to a unique story, much like those once told by the late author and poet Paul Auster. For Chin, *Journey of Han* was not a sudden inspiration but rather the progressive and steady birth of a concept. Much of this album is inspired by his experience as a Korean-American living in New York for over 25 years and reflects his artistic and interpersonal growth. “From the camaraderie and sense of community I found in the jazz scene, to the challenges of racism and discrimination, each moment shaped my perspective and inspired the music on this album,” says Chin. “The album reflects the highs and lows of my journey, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the power of music to transcend barriers.”
Indeed, presenting this day in 14 tracks represents various moments, breaths, events, and intentions, where nothing is trivial because they all stem from his experiences of cultural identity. “Overall, the album emerges from a personal and transformative experience of accepting my cultural identity while leaving my mark on a traditionally non-diverse space,” adds Chin. This is largely encapsulated in the trio that appears on the album. Leading an ensemble entirely composed of Asian jazz musicians is, for Chin, a milestone of achievement, art, and representation, symbolizing the beauty of breaking barriers, the quest for belonging, and the richness of Asian cultural contributions to jazz music. “This album sends a message of unity and solidarity within the Asian-American community, as well as a celebration of diversity within the broader jazz community,” says Chin.
The album’s title, *Journey of Han*, directly references Korean culture and provides a key to understanding the album’s musical progression. “The concept of ‘han’ encompasses a wide range of emotions tied to contemporary Korean heritage,” explains Chin. “It includes sadness, resentment, resilience, longing, loss, and release.” *Journey of Han* thus symbolizes the exploration of Korean-American identity, navigating musically through deeply human concepts such as history, belonging, and cultural fusion, all within the framework of jazz. Chin notes, “As an Asian-American jazz musician, the idea of being a ‘constant outsider’ is a deeply felt experience. Despite growing up in America, I sometimes found myself perceived as a perpetual foreigner, facing persistent stereotypes of being ‘other’ or ‘foreign.'” From there, Chin evokes the idea of a “hidden identity”; a cultural identity that may not be apparent to others but is crucial to an individual’s sense of self. *Journey of Han* acknowledges and examines this idea of hidden heritage, which for Chin encompasses both the richness of his Asian ancestry’s cultural traditions and the unique perspective born from his experience straddling multiple worlds.
In that sense, I would say that here in the USA, apart from Native Americans, everyone is foreign. Just walking the streets, you hear accents from all over the world and from every region, and in this journey, through the frenzy of his life and the varied cultural elements, the album’s rhythms progress. You can almost feel the artist’s evolution throughout this story. This album is, therefore, particularly fascinating, full of pleasant surprises, one after another, making it worthy of a top spot among our “essentials.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, September 27th 2024
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