"Infinite Connections is remarkable contemporary jazz with a slight yet definitive Korean accent, marvelously written by Lee and impeccably performed by the orchestra." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz.
Jihye Lee is a Korean-born, Brooklyn-based composer, arranger, and conductor. This is her 3rd big band album since 2017, and all 3 are worth a listen. She studied with Jim McNeely at the
Manhattan School of Music, and her co-producer is Grammy-winning composer/arranger Darcy James Argue.
Jihye Lee Orchestra, Infinite Connections, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp
This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.
"...a buoyant drama, a roaming investigation that swells and swales in all the right places," wrote her 2021 album Daring Mind, which was Best Jazz Album at the Korean Music Awards.
Jihye Lee Orchestra, Daring Mind, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp
This is on the Big Band 2021 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.
“Thought-provoking and gut-wrenching all at once,” wrote Dan Bilawsky/AllAboutJazz about her 2017 debut album April.
Jihye Lee Orchestra, April, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp
Here is a studio performance of the first tune from Infinite Connections, with trumpet guest Ambrose Akinmusire. 😎