Daring Mind
Release date: March 26, 2021
Label: Motéma Music
Daring Mind is the sophomore album by the Jihye Lee Orchestra. Produced by Lee, in collaboration with the innovative composer and Secret Society bandleader Darcy James Argue, and with renowned trumpeter Sean Jones as a key contributor, Lee’s Motéma debut showcases the South Korea native’s personal and adventurous storytelling approach to large-ensemble jazz over the course of nine spellbinding compositions.
As a follow up to her widely-acclaimed 2017 debut April, Daring Mind presents selections from Lee’s ‘Mind’ Series, including her BMI Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize-winning “Unshakable Mind” and her Manny Albam Commission “Revived Mind.” The album reflects her struggles, doubts, joys, and hopes while living in the amazing city of New York. The compositions explore the human mind, heart and soul, the various states of the human psyche from confusion to rage to enlightenment.
Lee describes composition as a form of record-keeping for herself, as the documentation of her life, the process of finding musical equivalents to the images, thoughts and emotions in her mind. She writes first and foremost for herself, to release her feelings, which makes her music deeply personal. “My goal is to invite listeners into my creative world, to relate to my stories, and to reflect on the truth that as humans, we share similar struggles and triumphs regardless of where we come from. It is my hope that we can create genuine connections with each other through art,” she says.
A native of South Korea, Lee had no jazz or classical training growing up, and she first found success in Korea performing as an indie pop singer. She graduated from Dongduk Women’s University with a degree in Voice Performance, discovering her love of large-ensemble jazz only after beginning her studies at Boston’s Berklee College of Music in 2011. Confidently she began to explore her own identity and voice within this exciting, historically rich medium, winning Berklee’s Duke Ellington Prize just months after declaring her Jazz Composition major (and again the following year). Though she could never have anticipated this new path, she has followed it to greater heights, moving to New York in 2015 and earning a master’s degree at Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of the great Jim McNeely. “Her music is imaginative and creative.” says McNeely. “And she’s not afraid to take some exciting chances in her writing.”
Navigating the transition from pop singer to jazz composer has given Lee a different angle on jazz composition, providing her not only with a lyrical melodic sense but also a way of imagining characters in every composition, and writing memorable themes with which people can identify. Her first instinct is not to find chords and melodies — Lee is not herself an instrumentalist — but rather an idea, image or message, and then find a way to express it through musical elements. All of this and more is realized on Daring Mind.
Daring Mind begins with “Restless Mind”, which emulates the bustle of New York City with its twisted rhythmic feel and repetitive notes. Featuring Sean Jones and trombonist Alan Ferber, the vibrancy and beauty of a pre-COVID city that never slept is on rich display in this dazzling opener. Following is “Unshakeable Mind”, winner of the 2018 BMI Charlie Parker Composition Prize. Inspired by the competitive environment of the New York music scene and the effects it has on one’s own psyche, “Unshakeable Mind” explores the nature of a determined and persevering spirit, with strong solo and ensemble support from alto saxophonist Ben Kono. The gorgeous “Suji” comes next. Written for one Lee’s dearest friends, this bright composition features only major chords played through chamber-like instrumentation. Kono once again plays a leading role here, as does pianist Adam Birnbaum.
Gears shift on the fourth track, “I Dare You”, which was commissioned by American entrepreneur Matt Mullenweg. “Since I am not a traditional swing big band style composer, sometimes I face the famous question ‘what is jazz?’” states Lee. That same question arose in an interview with Wayne Shorter by Max Dax in 2014, and his answer is “To me, jazz means: “I dare you!’” This is the title of this song and in many ways the inspiration of Lee’s entire approach to jazz. “I believe that jazz is not a style or genre, but a daring spirit, being creative by cultivating your instincts.” Tenor saxophonist Quensin Nachoff shines on this track which is full of sonic surprises.
The BMI Manny Albam Commission piece “Revived Mind” showcases soloist Mike Fahie on trombone. This colorful composition is an homage to nature and Earth, to rebirth and rejuvenation. Track 6, “Struggle Gives You Strength” was originally written for Carnegie Hall’s NYO Jazz and once again features Sean Jones. On this uplifting and inspiring composition, Lee comments: “Struggle is an essential part of life and it molds us into beautiful individuals with character.”
The final third of Daring Mind features the bluesy “Why Is that” with solos by Jones and alto saxophonist Rob Wilkerson; the dissonant tri-tone filled odyssey “Dissatisfied Mind” which ruminates on the negatively that can intrude ones’ thoughts; and “GB”, a stunning closer inspired by love found and lost. Highly cinematic, the beauty and joy of happy memories slowly gives way to crushing breakdown, before reluctant acceptance sets in. As an aspiring film music composer, this vivid track particularly showcases Lee’s great potential in that arena.
With the release of Daring Mind, Jihye Lee makes a major statement that will likely propel her, deservingly, to the top echelon of contemporary jazz composers and bandleaders. Late last year, it was announced that Lee earned a 2021 ASCAP Foundation & Symphonic Jazz Orchestra commissioning prize, further defining a clear next step in her bright future. The first single “Struggle Gives You Strength” will be released on February 5th, and the second single, “Revived Mind” will release on March 5th.
SUZANNE LORGE
DOWNBEAT
"Stirring and filmic in scope, the tune changes hues at every turn—just like the city that so captivates Lee’s imagination." Read this review here.
TED GIOIA
CULTURE NOTES OF AN HONEST BROKER
"Few things are harder than paying the bills for big band jazz in the current day. But she is one of our most promising up-and-coming jazz composers, and will probably defy the odds. Expect to hear from her again in the future." Read it here.
NATE CHINEN
WBGO
"Daring Mind — Lee's impressive second album, co-produced by Darcy James Argue — illuminates the distance she has traveled as a musician, while opening a window onto her life experience." Read the full video feature here.
MORGAN ENOS
JAZZTIMES
"In the space of 10 years, the South Korean immigrant has gone from jazz novice to masterful big-band leader and composer." Read the feature article here.
SETH COLTER WALLS
THE NEW YORK. TIMES
"Her crisp arrangements balance frenetic virtuosity with an overarching reflective mood." Read this review here.
JASON CRANE
THE JAZZ SESSION
Featured guest on episode #545. Listen to the podcast here.
MORGAN ENOS
GRAMMY.COM
"One of six big band composers moving the genre forward." Read the feature here.
RON SCHEPPER
TEXTURA
"Lee's hardly alone, of course, in the contemporary jazz orchestra field. Argue has his Secret Society, and the outfits led by Maria Schneider, Anna Webber and Angela Morris, Miho Azama, and Chelsea McBride are among those deserving of mention. Lee's might overlap with theirs in terms of instrumentation, but on Daring Mind her compositional identity asserts itself strongly." Read this review here.
RICHARD B. KAMINS
STEP TEMPEST
"Daring Mind" is a musical triumph. In just two recording, Jihye Lee has proven herself to be a mature composer and arranger, creating music that engages both the musicians and the listeners." Read this review here.
WULF MULLER
ALL THAT JAZZ + MORE
"Her music is surely a universal reflection of what it means to be human and her band transports these feelings perfectly. A stand-out big ensemble work of many colours and emotions and timeless quality!" Read the blog post here.
MIKE JURKOVIC
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Thus Daring Mind, Lee's Motema Music debut, co-produced by Darcy James Argue serves not only as a triumphant successor to 2017's heralded, self-produced April, it plays as a buoyant drama, a roaming investigation that swells and swales in all the right places." Read this review here.
MAL STANLEY
ABC JAZZ
Daring Mind featured as the Feature Album of the Week. See the article here.
JACK BOWERS
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Lee is securely at the helm, inflexibly steering the ship toward her chosen destination. Those who choose to board may find the voyage predictably turbulent yet unexpectedly rewarding." Read this review here.
JIM HYNES
MAKING A SCENE
"..leave your big band perceptions and inherent biases behind. Open yourself to this stunning listening experience and you will surely be rewarded." Read the full review here.
STEPHEN GRAHAM
MARLBANK
"...clearly invigorating and striking." Track feature here.
ADAM BUDOFSKY
ON THE DRUMS/MEDIUM
Read the story here.
FILIPE FREITAS
JAZZ TRAIL
"Swamped in hard-swinging variations, the bluesy “Why is That” is probably the closest to tradition you will get here. Hence, don’t expect Daring Mind to be a traditional big band jazz record. Expect something more adventurous and glowing, and still very accessible. " Read this review here.
CHRIS SPECTOR
MIDWEST RECORD
"Loaded with modern accents to keep nu ears interested, anyone can enjoy this as it's loaded with relatable sounds and tunes that hit the mark. Well done." Read the review here.
GEORGE KANZLER
NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
"Daring Mind is a consistently fascinating aural adventure." Read the full review in the March 2021 issue of the New York City Jazz record here.
MATT MICUCCI
JAZZIZ
Featured in 'The Week in Jazz'. Read here.
DEE DEE MCNEIL
MUSICALMEMOIRS'S BLOG
"This is an exciting orchestra led by a thriving talent and award-winning composer who is clearly exploring the many sides of her own mind and exposing them to the eager ears of the listener."Read the review here.
LUDOVICO GRANVASSU
ALL ABOUT JAZZ ITALIA
'Daring Mind' featured on new and upcoming release playlist. See the article here.
JONATHAN BLACKMAN
OCCHI MAGAZINE
"It was an absolute honor to listen to this album and I hope everyone takes notice of this rising star that is shining so brightly!" Read this review here.
PHIL FREEMAN
STEREOGUM
Read The Best in Jazz article here, featuring 'Daring Mind'.
ANGELO LEONARDI
ALL ABOUT JAZZ ITALIA
Read the review here.
SCOTT YANOW
LA JAZZ SCENE
"Lee’s arrangements for her nine originals are unpredictable but logical, adventurous yet often melodic." Review here.
JAZZWISE
Watch the video for 'Suji' as the video of the day here.
RON SCHEPPER
TEXTURA
Listed on the Best of Jazz 2021 article here.