Seulah Noh Jazz Orchestra: A Musical Journey from South Korea to Boston and Beyond

Seulah Noh is a notable figure in the music world, whose musical journey has become an impressive symphony that melds South Korea's rich musical heritage with the vibrant realm of contemporary jazz. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Seulah embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 5 when she sat in front of a piano for the first time. However, her story is far from that of a typical classical pianist.
Her musical education began with a solid foundation in classical piano, culminating in a Bachelor's degree in Classical Piano Performance from Ewha Womans University. But what truly sets her story apart is her insatiable desire to explore new musical horizons.

Seulah Noh didn't confine herself to the classical world. From her early years, she immersed herself in theatrical productions, playing vital roles as a pit pianist, musical director, and orchestra conductor for various companies in Korea. Driven by her passion for learning and music, she made a bold leap by leaving her job and embarking on a new trajectory.

Her transition to jazz marked a turning point in her musical career. In 2015, Seulah gained admission to the Berklee College of Music, where she earned an Asian Tour Scholarship. Her time at Berklee was marked by notable achievements, including the Composer/Pianist Award, the Thelonious Monk Award, and a CJ Cultural Foundation Scholarship. Under the guidance of prominent mentors like Francesca Tanksley, Lazlo Gardony, Greg Hopkins, Bob Pilkington, and Ayn Inserto, she honed her skills in piano and composition. Moreover, she had the privilege of collaborating with renowned artists such as Kurt Elling through her involvement with the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra.

As she embraced her newfound passion for jazz, Seulah continued to seek opportunities as a musical director. She offered her expertise as an ensemble coach and musical director in theater workshops and shows at institutions such as the Boston Conservatory, Boston University, and the Bridge Repertory Theater.

With a second Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance and Jazz Composition from Berklee, Seulah furthered her education at the New England Conservatory, specializing in Jazz Composition. Here, she studied under the tutelage of Ken Schaphorst, Frank Carlberg, Donny McCaslin, and Marshall Gilkes. During her time at NEC, her compositions received recognition, including awards from the Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra's annual composition contest and the Downbeat Student Music Award. Upon completing her studies, Seulah realized her creative vision by recording and releasing her debut album "NOhMAD" with her 21-piece Jazz Orchestra.

"NOhMAD" features six original compositions by Seulah and two arrangements. With this debut release, Seulah was finally able to unleash her most cherished musical facet. It marks the first chronicle of her creative journey, encompassing some of her earliest compositions from 2017 that explore a deep emotion for fusion and rock, both incorporated into a jazz language. A notable example is the composition "L'illusionniste," written in 2018, which won the Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra Composition Contest in 2019 and had its world premiere at the Earshot Jazz Festival the same year.

"NOhMAD" showcases Seulah's diverse musical tastes and the unique sound of the Seulah Noh Jazz Orchestra, which includes a string quartet in addition to the traditional 17-piece big band. "Traveler's Suite," her most recent work, reflects the experiences, impressions, and thoughts gathered during Seulah's time in the United States, sometimes as an outsider, an international student, or simply a person from a different culture. Each of the three distinct movements was inspired and written based on a different time and place, although they are strongly thematically related. The complete suite highlights the fresh colors and textures of the ensemble, created through collaborative fusion of strings and brass.

Seulah explains, "While I've been fortunate to work with many wonderful mentors over the years, including Marshall Gilkes, Greg Hopkins, Francesca Tanksley, Ken Schaphorst, Donny McCaslin, and many others, I'm also extremely excited to lead this ensemble with some of the finest musicians from Boston and New York." She adds, "All the music was recorded in May 2022 at Firehouse12 Studio in New Haven, Connecticut, where the entire band spent three days together, sharing their inspirations and excitement for this project. Those three days were perhaps one of the best experiences I've had in my life as a musician, and I aspire to continue this journey with this amazing band to further our growth."

Instrumentalists:

• Seulah Noh [Composer, Arranger, Orchestra Conductor]

Woodwinds:

• Nathan See: Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute

• Harry Pershing: Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone

• Hunter McKay: Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet

• Ian Buss: Tenor Saxophone

• Nick Biagini: Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet

Trumpets:

• Mark Tipton: Trumpet, Flugelhorn

• Mike Brehm: Trumpet, Flugelhorn

• Dan Hirsch: Trumpet, Flugelhorn

• Alex Quinn: Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Trombones:

• Joey Dies

• Michael Gerace

• Josh Gagnon

• Gabe Ramos: Bass Trombone

Rhythm Section:

• Dabin Ryu: Piano, Fender Rhodes

• Kevin Scollins: Guitar

• Benjamin Young: Double Bass, Electric Bass

• Willis Edmundson: Drums

Strings (Tracks 5, 6, 7):

• Hannah Chaewon Kim: Violin I

• Haekyung Ju: Violin II

• Julian Seney: Viola

• Claire Deokyong Kim: Cello

Special Guests:

• Song Yi Jeon: Vocals (Tracks 1 and 9)

• Astghik Martirosyan: Vocals (Track 3)

• Will Fredendall: Flute (Tracks 4 and 8)

• Kan Yanabe: Percussion (Tracks 3, 5, 7, and 8)

Seulah Noh and her Jazz Orchestra's music is a musical journey that transcends borders, genres, and cultures. Their commitment to innovation and collaboration results in a unique auditory experience that captivates listeners worldwide.