Great pre-gig publicity for Younee, courtesy of the BBC: an interview with the amazing singer Claire Martin on Radio 3 Jazz Line-up, and the chance to perform a couple of numbers live. http://bit.ly/yi96h #
From the BBC website:
Claire Martin presents as South Korean piano virtuoso Yoonee talks about her current career in jazz and making her debut in the UK.
Younee from South Korea is an impressively talented, virtuosic and versatile performer, who from an early age had a desire to break boundaries. Her learning began at the age of three, then involved studying classical piano for the next 20 years at the Yeon Arts High School, Seoul Arts High School – culminating in a BA in Classical Piano at Yonsei University.
Younee is one of a small group of highly trained classical musicians who is equally at home on rock, pop and jazz stages. On her current trip to London she has been making a great impression with her stunning piano virtuosity ‘sitting in’ at London jazz clubs.
Through a German fan, she became a friend of Grammy-winning American Jazz pianist Bob James. When James performed on a Korean TV show, he invited Younee to play his demanding piece for piano (four-hands). When she related her desire to become an international artist, James recommended London-based American producer/composer Richard Niles.
Younee was already aware of Niles’ impressive career and his work with Ray Charles, Paul McCartney and Pat Metheny. When she contacted him Niles was extremely interested and very encouraging, as Niles had worked in jazz, rock, pop and classical.