Jarasum Jazz Festival announces lineup featuring Nate Smith and Tigran Hamasyan

The 23rd Jarasum Jazz Festival is scheduled to take place from September 9 to 11 in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, featuring a diverse lineup of 39 musical acts.

Headlining the event are several internationally acclaimed artists, including two-time Grammy winner drummer Nate Smith and Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan. Smith, known for his work blending jazz, soul, funk, and R&B, returns to the festival for his first performance there in 17 years. Hamasyan, a winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival piano competition, is noted for integrating Armenian folk music with progressive rock and jazz improvisation.

Other international performers include Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, Japanese trumpeter Takuya Kuroda, Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, and Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen. The festival also highlights domestic talent, including pianist Song Young-ju, the jazz-funk band JSFA, saxophonist Kim Oki, and the post-rock band Jambinai, who will perform with a special arrangement featuring traditional Korean instruments.