K-music 2023: Soojin Suh & Kit Downes

Korean creative force, experimental drummer Soojin Suh brings her Chordless Quartet for a collaboration with acclaimed keyboardist Kit Downes.

The concept behind the Soojin Suh Chordless Quartet is to explore freedom from all polyphonic instruments as a metaphor for freedom in society.

Recent releases by the quartet include 2018’s critically acclaimed Strange Liberation and its 2021 follow-up, Roots to Branches.

Soojin Suh argues that in an era where individual freedom is becoming increasingly important, freedom without consideration for others can sometimes erupt into violence.

This idea sits at the heart of the Chordless Project. The exclusion of polyphonic instruments, which normally supply the harmony, creates freedom for the remaining instruments.

Rather than erupting into chaos on stage, the interplay between the group members pays tribute to the ultimate freedom and beauty that can be created through consideration for others.

Soojin Suh Chordless Quartet was the Showcasing Artist for the jazzahead! in 2021.

Kit Downes is a BBC Jazz Award-winning, Mercury Music Award-nominated solo recording artist for ECM Records.

He has toured the world playing piano, church organ and harmonium with his own bands (ENEMY, Troyka and Elt) as well as with artists such as Squarepusher, Bill Frisell, Empirical, Andrew Cyrille, Sofia Jernberg, Benny Greb, Mica Levi and Sam Amidon.

As well as appearing on stage with the Soojin Suh Chordless Quartet, Kit Downes opens the show with a solo set.