Tag Archives: contemporary jazz

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Yunmi Sang and the BEJE Trio Feb 2026 UK tour

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After 3 months of preparation I’m finally ready to start the marketing for this exciting tour which has been my main focus this autumn. Tour organisers will know the feeling of dozens of emails going out into the void with no return, like satellites leaving the solar system. And there were several near misses of the ‘it doesn’t quite fit’ genre, or offers of nights where we’re already booked, or double-booked venues who changed their minds, and venues just too pricey to afford. Still I persisted and we have five smashing gigs lined up.

CARDIFF The Flute and Tankard Feb 18

LONDON St Cyprian’s Church Feb 20

BRISTOL St Paul’s Church Clifton Feb 21

LYME REGIS Marine Theatre Feb 22

BATH The Bell Inn Feb 23

In the interval since our three city tour of South Korea August 2025 Yunmi has published and received reviews for her wonderful sensitive duo album with acclaimed American guitarist John Stowell. Yunmi Kang × John Stowell Duo Album — A Timeless Place
“A living dialogue between voice and guitar—music where spontaneity and depth coexist.
Even in moments of instant reaction, the two musicians shape a larger structure together, creating a true conversation in sound.” Shin Saem-i, @lovecoexist Jazz People @jazzpeople_magazine

I’m composing new tunes too. And both of us are thinking about the join between our humanitarian concerns and our art. It feels so hard to stay being an artist focussed on creativity whilst my heart and finance and time are taken by responding to the genocide in practical ways, and in dialogue with victims in Gaza. I want to express these growing relationships in my music and find a common humanity to overcome the divide between us. I know Yunmi is thinking and feeling the same with social fault lines in her own country. She applied for a culture grant from her government and wasn’t successful this time, but it sharpened our thinking meanwhile. We’ve been starting discussions with a visual artist too, but probably won’t involve her yet, before the summer when we’ll retirn to Korea all being well, to make our 2nd album, the expression of this search for common humanity across dehumanizing divides.

I hope BEJE fans, and bigbromo promo fans and friends will catch us at one of our gigs. There’ll be an update in January I expect. Meanwhile to Korea tour -featuring the tune I wrote this year to honour my mother’s passing- is on the website front page. (If the gremlin angels keep it there).

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REVIEW OF BEJE GIG at Black Mountain Jazz, Abergavenny, 30 April, 2016.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackmountainjazz/This was another great evening of jazz put on by Black Mountain Jazz at Abergavenny, this time on a Saturday to coincide with International Jazz Day. Today’s ensemble was very appropriate, given its international roots and the vast range of cultural and geographical sources for the compositions of its leader, the Swiss/English trumpeter/flugelist, David Mowat. The ensemble consisted today of Mowat, the superb Len Aruliah (UK/Canada) on alto and soprano saxes, the excellent guitarist and oud player, Knud Stüwe (Germany), on Strat and effects, an unusual and welcome setup in jazz clubs, and the fantastic duo of Paolo Adamo on percussion and Pasquale Votino (both Italian) on double bass. I had had the pleasure of hearing Adamo and Votino twice already this month – with the Davide Logiri/Ben Thomas UK tour – so I knew that I was in for a treat this evening.
The Bristol based ensemble did not disappoint, providing an exhilarating mix of compositions, including ones based on ragas, oud tunes collected in Somalia, and themes collected on Mowat’s wandering in various countries, including Syria. One composition provided a musical backdrop to Mowat’s recounting of the hospitality and friendship he had been shown on a journey across various countries, including Syria, such warmth having been shown by those of Muslim, Christian and other religions – particularly apt on International Jazz Day, which, as Mowat reminded the audience, was not just about music, but about bridging cultural gaps.
Most striking about the performance was the successful mix of clearly stated, internationally flavoured, themes with quite free form improvisation, conjuring up tastes of the creativity of such predecessors as the Chicago Art Ensemble, Mingus’s ‘Tijuana Moods’, and many others, while retaining its own unique identity.

Unfortunately, I had to leave before the end of the performance, but I left very satisfied and clutching both CDs that were available. If you get the chance to catch this band of fine, musically gifted, creative and technically excellent musicians, grab the chance with both hands! One of the most creative musical evenings that I have experienced recently in a jazz club.

Those attending were also lucky to be entertained by the local singer/songwriter/guitarist Mansel Davies. Davies provided a great contrast to the main act, and produced a very polished performance of his own compositions to a very attentive and appreciative audience. He has a solid guitar style, with a very full sound, and a great voice for his genre.
All in all, a very enjoyable night! David Hobbs, club posted on Black Mountain Jazz FB