This week, composer-vocalist Jihye Lee brings her orchestra back to The Jazz Gallery stage. She first presented her music here as part of the long-running Jazz Composers’ showcase, and his since become a regular, sharing and developing new compositions. In a 2018 interview with Jazz Speaks, Lee described the aha moment that led her to pursue big band writing:

Well, I was a singer-songwriter in Korea, so I never dreamed, never even imagined, that I would be a big band writer. I went to Berklee, and that was the first time I heard big band music in person. I was overwhelmed in the best way. That energy! Filling the stage! The big band is all about horns, and it’s very human, with the breath, the control. I didn’t know that kind of music existed. That’s why I’ve gotten into big band music. When you’re writing for big band, you have to manage everything. Financially, it can be very challenging. Putting together rehearsals, logistics, it’s hard. Unless I’m standing in front of a big band, I usually say, “Wow, this is hard, why do I do this?” [laughs]. But yes, the reason we still do it is the energy. When you put your music in front of the players, that synergy, that joy, that emotional connection, that excitement, it’s overwhelming. And a big band is such an expressive tool for bringing my music to life. It can be delicate, it can be masculine. Most horn players can double, and brass players can use mutes. There’s a huge palette. The energy is always there, but the sound can be almost anything.

This week’s performance will likely feature favorites from her first two albums (go check out 2021’s Daring Mind below), as well as new compositions Lee and company are working on for their next album.

The Jihye Lee Orchestra plays The Jazz Gallery on Friday, July 14, 2023. The group features Ben Kono, Alejandro Aviles, Quinsin Nachoff, Jay Rattman, and Carl Maraghi on woodwinds; Brian Pareschi, Nathan Eklund. Jonathan Saraga, and Stuart Mack on trumpets; Mike Fahie, Matt McDonald, Nick Grinder, and Jeff Nelson on trombones; Max Light on guitar; Chris McCarthy on piano; Evan Gregor on bass; and Peter Kronreif on drums. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. E.D.T. $30 general admission ($15 for members, FREE for SummerPass holders), $40 reserved cabaret seating ($25 for members), $20 livestream access ($5 for members, FREE for SummerPass holders. Purchase SummerPass here. Purchase tickets here.