Lee Bu-young Trio Michel Legrand Songbook

[PERFORMANCE INTRODUCTION] A Special Concert Revisiting the Music of Michel Legrand Lee Bu-young, one of the most respected jazz vocalists of our time and an artist with a distinctive color and expressiveness all her own, has created her fifth studio album dedicated to Michel Legrand (1932-2019), the great French composer and jazz pianist. This album has been recognized by many jazz fans and critics as one of her finest works, and has received high praise for her musicality across various media outlets. Music critic Seo Jung-min from Minjung's Voice evaluated the album as follows: "Lee Bu-young's calm, refined, and lucid musical style touches upon the charm of classical music. Her method of creating natural resonance with minimal instrumental arrangements and transparently laying her voice on top, allowing the resonance of instruments and voice to blend and harmonize with each other, and her approach of pushing forward in her own substantial way without artificially striving for ease and familiarity, possesses grace and beauty.…(excerpt)… Music reveals and illuminates the heart." (https://www.vop.co.kr/A00001110368.html). Michel Legrand created outstanding musical films with French New Wave director Jacques Demy and left behind memorable masterpieces such as "I Will Wait For You," "Watch What Happens" (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), and "You Must Believe In Spring" (The Young Girls of Rochefort). All these pieces feature clear melodies and exemplify the distinctive French style of elegant and beautiful melody in music. Lee Bu-young's "Songs of Michel Legrand" album features eight songs in a relatively simple trio arrangement of vocals, guitar, and clarinet/saxophone. However, this minimalist yet open format allows listeners to breathe deeply into the music, as if taking a long walk through Michel Legrand's lush musical forest. We can fully inhale the phytoncide, a refreshing and subtle fragrance—a beautiful forest created by Michel Legrand and the Lee Bu-young Trio that we had not yet discovered. This performance, which also commemorates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France this year, "is being held as an official program of the French Music Festival (Fête de la Musique) commemorating the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations, with support from the Cultural Division of the French Embassy in Korea and Institut français." A Distinctive Acoustic Jazz Trio Boasting Perfect Balance The Lee Bu-young Trio is recognized as an ensemble that presents musically perfect and technically balanced music. Each artist maintains equal weight, with no musical elements overlapping one another, complementing each other mutually to create an outstanding ensemble sound and music where the trio members form one perfect trinity. If the guitar is the solid ground at the foundation, the sound of clarinet and saxophone is like the sky, and Lee Bu-young's voice, like the wind between that ground and sky, fills the air. Their fifth studio album "Songs of Michel Legrand" was recorded exactly 10 years ago in 2016 and released in January 2017. This special and precious album, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, continues to be recognized as one of her greatest works, and like a fine wine that grows more fragrant and deepens with age, this album remains a masterpiece consistently sought out by jazz critics and jazz enthusiasts. What makes this album special is that it was recorded at the Audioguide Studio, which boasts exceptional acoustic sound clarity and depth. This studio, which has already established an independent position in album recording through numerous domestic classical and jazz recordings, brings even greater value to this album through its outstanding production. The special aspect of this concert is that, while remaining in the same space where the album was recorded, audiences will be able to experience similar or even superior acoustic experiences in live performances as they felt from the album. Lee Bu-young is frequently praised as an "impressionist vocalist." Her music leaves a lasting and vivid impression or image in the listener's heart that is not easily forgotten. The music and lyrics performed by the Lee Bu-young Trio are like pastel colors painting pictures on the canvas of the audience's hearts. This instrumental arrangement (vocals-guitar-wind instruments) provides space for longer solos and open expression, encouraging listeners to approach the music with a more open interpretation—in other words, leaving sufficient room for each listener's own personal interpretation. Through the beautiful music of Michel Legrand and the magical moments offered by the Lee Bu-young Trio, we hope this becomes a time to "Watch What Happens" and discover what emotional stirrings may arise in our hearts. [PROGRAM] Magic Watch what happens (*Film: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) What are you doing the rest of your life (*Film: Happy Ending) I will wait for you (*Film: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) Windmills of your mind (*Film: The Thomas Crown Affair) You must believe in Spring (*Film: The Young Girls of Rochefort) Summer knows (*Film: Summer of '42) Once upon a Summertime and Original Compositions * The program may be subject to change at the discretion of the artist.