About

LEE JIYEUN

Jazz Composer, Arranger, Director, Pianist

Jiyeun Lee, a composer, arranger and pianist in pursuit of original creative jazz music, explores the essence of sound from an instrumental perspective—mastering the functions of string, wind, percussion instruments, and piano—and how these sounds are organically connected to nature. She delves deeply into the physical directionality of harmony, its functional relationship with emotions, and the changes in musical color and emotional expression that arise from rhythmic density.
Drawing inspiration from nature and humanity, her works express philosophical reflections, such as the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, through painterly techniques. She aims for listeners to imagine beautiful landscapes within her music, as if painting vivid pictures themselves, fostering an awareness of the profound connection between nature and humanity.
While constantly seeking new subjects for expression and pursuing originality in her methods, she strives to resonate with a wide audience.
She is currently serving as an adjunct professor in the Department of Contemporary Applied Music at Sungshin Women’s University, contributing to the education of future musicians.

LEE JIYEUN JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Centered around jazz pianist and composer Jiyeun Lee, the ensemble actively pursues creative music that transcends the boundaries of jazz, blending elements of classical, Korean traditional music (gugak), and pop. The group has released four albums: Bright Green Almost White (2012), This Place, Meaning You (2014), Feather, Dream Drop (2017), and Blue Flower (2021). Their work was recognized with the Best Jazz Album award at the 15th Korean Music Awards.

As Korea’s first and largest 25 musician’s jazz orchestra, composed of strings, wind instruments, and a rhythm section, the ensemble has been celebrated for its artistic excellence. They have been selected for various creative arts support programs by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, Arts Council Korea, Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation, and Goyang Cultural Foundation. Their diverse performances include Ghibli, Disney, and Marvel OST Concerts, Jazz Opera Carmen, Pinkfong Jazz Paradise, Impressionist Jazz Concert, Lucky Seven Jazz Concert, and Christmas Jazz Singers Concert.

  • Awards
    Winner of Best Jazz Album at the 15th Korean Music Awards, Jazz & Crossover Category (Feb 28, 2018) 
Album: Feather, Dream drop by Lee Jiyeun Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
  • Major Creative Works
    ‘Lucky7 Jazz Concert’ Selected by the Korea Cultural & Arts Centers Association
    ‘Blue Flower’ Selected by Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture
    ‘The Shattered Light’ Selected by Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation
    ‘Invitation to Aesthetic Jazz’ Selected by Arts Council Korea
    ‘Moments of Light’, ‘Illuminate’ Selected by Goyang Cultural Foundation
    ‘Breathing on water, steel, fire, flower, ground’ Selected by Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture
  • Discography
    1st Album / Bright Green Almost White (Feb 10, 2012)
    2nd Album / This Place, Meaning, You (Nov 7, 2014)
    3rd Album / Feather, Dream drop (Sep 23, 2017) / Winner of Best Jazz Album at the 15th Korean Music Awards
    National Gugak Center Compilation Album / Sound, Embarking on a Journey (Apr 8, 2016)
    4th Album / Blue Flower (Sep 10, 2021)