Reviews

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발군의 테크닉에 탄탄한 음악성 겸비한 기대주

현재 미국에 거점을 두고 활동하고 있는 여성 재즈 피아니스트 이승형이 이번에 첫 데뷔작을 발표한다. 숙명여자대학교에서 클래식 피아노를 전공한 이승형은 클래식 외에도 다른 음악에 많은 관심을 갖고 연주를 했다는데 특히 재즈에 매료되어 본격적인 공부를 위해 미국으로 유학을 떠났다. 보스턴 버클리 음대에 입학한 그녀는 재즈 퍼포먼스를 전공했으며 이후 뉴저지 윌리엄 페터슨 대학교에서 재즈 연주 석사 학위를 취득했다.

Lee's piano skills are a paradox, blending potency with fragility in a way that demands the listener's focus yet gently nudges one toward introspection. Her knack for expressing a gamut of feelings with the ivory keys is remarkable, gifting listeners a sonic feast that tugs at the heartstrings.

Pianist Ellie teams with saxist  Steve Wilson, bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Jongkuk Kim for a collection of pasteled originals and one cover.

Korean pianist Lee debuts with a quartet including saxophonist Steve Wilson and bassist Steve LaSpina in a set of swinging post-bop

Ellie Lee sculpts a captivatingly engrossing realm on the urbane jazz noir of “Escape.” The album feels lyrical, all without needing to say a single word. 

South Korea born pianist Ellie Lee’s auspicious, wildly inventive and adventurous debut album Escape comes courtesy of her finding peace in reconciling her early classical training with a later, all-encompassing desire to break the restraints and embrace the freedom of jazz. 

Ellie Lee is a pianist, composer and arranger who offers us seven original compositions on this album of eight tunes.  The quartet opens with her title tune,”Escape.”  Lee sets the mood and tempo on piano, until Steve Wilson enters on his saxophone. 

The melodic title track starts the listen, where Kim’s fluid drums and Wilson’s warm sax complement the meticulous keys, and “Beyond The Blue” follows with firm piano amid soulful brass and LaSpina’s flowing bass lines.