Korea in Focus with CJ Cultural Foundation 2025 - yonglee & the DOLTANG
The Korean Cultural Center Germany and the CJ Cultural Foundation are proud to present "Korea in Focus with CJ", a new joint program that provides an international stage for emerging jazz talents from Korea. This initiative brings the next generation of jazz musicians, discovered by the CJ Cultural Foundation, to Berlin - a city known for its rich jazz heritage and vibrant cultural scene.
The opening concert of the "Korea in Focus with CJ" series will take place on June 13 at the Maschinenhaus of Berlin's Kulturbrauerei, with a performance by the jazz band yonglee & the DOLTANG.
DOLTANG is a dynamic music collective consisting of five outstanding members of the Korean jazz scene. Led by pianist and composer yonglee, Youngwoo Lee, Yechan Jo, Hwansu Kang and Dayeon Seok combine elements of progressive rock, jazz and free improvisation. With their music, they navigate through the complexities of modern society and deal with ontological questions and satirical reflections on the absurdities of youth from an artistic perspective.
"Their music offers not only a sense of novelty, but also a striking lyricism," says jazz critic Joonsuh Park. Despite occasional misunderstandings about their supposed opacity, yonglee's melodies unfold into extraordinary improvisations, enhanced by the outstanding talents of the ensemble. Their music, deeply rooted in intellect, transcends pure cerebralism and reveals the unique charm of DOLTANG's compositions.
With a combination of intellectual depth and emotional resonance, DOLTANG provides compelling answers to the question of how Korea fits into the global trend of jazz localization. Her compositions are characterized by a structural beauty in which complex rhythmic layers interweave with catchy melodies, culminating in improvisations that reveal raw emotion and captivate the audience.
DOLTANG has played on renowned stages, including Jazzahead 2024 in Bremen, MUK in Austria and the Opus Jazz Club in Hungary. Their album "Surface of Time" won several awards and was named "Best Album 2022" by the South Korean jazz magazine "MM Jazz". Her next album "Invisible Worker" will be released in May 2025 by Unit Records.
*The concert will take place without seating.
Korea in Focus with CJ Foundation 2025 - yonglee & the DOLTANG
The Korean Cultural Center Germany and CJ Cultural Foundation are proud to present 'Korea in Focus with CJ', a new collaborative program that offers a global stage for emerging jazz talents. This initiative introduces next-generation jazz musicians, discovered by CJ Cultural Foundation, to Berlin, a city renowned for its rich jazz heritage and dynamic cultural landscape.
For the opening concert of 'Korea in Focus with CJ' series, the jazzband yonglee & the DOLTANG will perform on the 13th June in Maschinenhaus, Kulturbrauerei.
DOLTANG is a dynamic music collective comprised of five exceptional musicians in the Korean jazz scene. Led by pianist and composer yonglee, Lee Youngwoo, Jo Yechan, Kang Hwansu and Seok Dayeon seamlessly blend elements of progressive rock, jazz, and free improvisation. Through their music, they navigate the complexities of modern society, delving into ontological inquiries and satirical reflections on the absurdities of youth as artists.
"Their music offers not only a sense of novelty but also a distinctive sense of lyricism," remarks jazz critic Park Joonsuh. Despite occasional misconceptions of obscurity, yonglee's melodies evolve into extraordinary improvisations, amplified by the exceptional talents of the ensemble. Their music, while rooted in intellect, transcends mere cerebralism, showcasing the allure of DOLTANG's compositions.
Balancing intellectual depth with emotional resonance, DOLTANG presents compelling responses to the question of how Korea should engage with the global trend of jazz localization. Their compositions feature a structural beauty, intertwining layers of rhythms beneath accessible melodies, culminating in improvisations that reveal raw emotions by effortlessly captivating the audience.
DOLTANG has performed on esteemed stages, including Jazzahead 2024 in Bremen, MUK in Austria and Opus Jazz Club in Hungary. Their album "Surface of Time" received accolades, earning the title of the best album of 2022 by South Korean jazz magazine "MM Jazz." And their next album "Invisible Worker" will be released on May, 2025 from Unit Records.
*The concert will be held without seating