While it may be losing its footing this side of the globe, jazz in South Korea is apparently on the rise. This rise is perhaps none more evident than at the country's Jarasum International Jazz Festival, which takes place a couple hours outside of Seoul. Youngsters of the nation have found a new appreciation for jazz and gather en masse to witness it performed in concert.
It's astonishing to note the dwindling presence of jazz in a younger generation's playlist. Chock it up to popular taste or what have you, but the merits of jazz as a genre and culture aren't prevalent among youthful listeners.
Institutions like Lincoln Center and the Grammys try new initiatives to hook in young ears but almost to no avail. This is far from true at the Jarasum Festival--a gathering in which hundreds of thousands of twentysomethings gather for one central purpose: their affinity for the music.
Joshua Redman, a celebrated American saxophonist, told NPR, "Stepping onstage at the Jarasum Jazz Festival is like stumbling into an alternate universe where jazz is suddenly young, hip, sexy and cool."
An alternate universe, maybe, if it were taking place in its sister nation to the north (that's right, Kim Jong-Un, "sister"), but this seemingly other dimension is all too real.
In its twelfth year active, Jarasum Fest draws a regular attendance between 200,000 to 250,000 patrons, all under the age of 40. For an American establishment such as Newport Jazz Festival, the numbers are a literal inverse, with 82 percent of its viewership well over 45.
Is it in the water? Is it a cultural movement or social divide in its early stages? Is it a form of rebellion? All factors can be considered but it is perhaps that the music just resonates with youthful Korean ears, more so than in a nation where its entire foundation was established (cough, America, cough).
Regardless, we here at Classicalite aren't complaining.
Check out the awe-inspiring festival further with its (amazing) 2015 trailer below.
