Mina Cho & Grace Beat Quartet – Beat Mirage (Gugak Jazz Society, 2024)
The Grace Beat Quartet evolved from the Gugak Jazz Society, a 9-piece ensemble that has deeply influenced Mina Cho’s musical journey. Her compositions for the Gugak Jazz Society often weave Korean and jazz rhythms, fostering a space for traditional Korean and jazz musicians to collaborate on composition and improvisation. The concept of “grace beat” explores the subtle, often unnotated, gestures musicians use to interpret rhythms, akin to grace notes in music. The album title, Beat Mirage, reflects the diverse ways beats are perceived.
In July 2023, Insoo Kim and Yeongjin Kim, traditional Korean and jazz drummers from the Gugak Jazz Society, joined Cho’s long-time bassist Max Ridley in Boston to record the Grace Beat project. This collaboration was both inspirational and graceful, influenced by various forms of grace, from musical to spiritual, and Cho’s experiences as a mother.
The music of Grace Beat presents four gifted musicians expressing their stories through Cho’s masterful compositions, creating a unique experience. This project highlights the harmony between flavorful Korean tradition and the freedom of jazz, allowing listeners to witness their seamless integration.
The Grace Beat Ensemble embodies the union of grace and rhythm, symbolized by the collaboration of two drummers representing the heartbeats of different cultures. It celebrates the grace that enables people from diverse backgrounds to communicate through music, and the journey that brought them together.
Musicians: Mina Cho on piano; Insoo Kim on Korean traditional percussion (janggu, kkwaenggwari, jing, sori-buk); Yeongjin Kim on drums; and Max Ridley on, bass.
Author: Sonia Keller
