E’ Joung Ju Ensemble is a Seoul-based multinational music group, which focuses on creating harmonies that transcend time and space.
E’ Joung Ju is a Korean geomungo player who, with a background in traditional music, had a chance to play with more contemporary ‘western’ instruments in a Korea-Japan festival in 1995. Since then, her interest in fusing musical genres has expanded exponentially.
The E’ Joung Ju Ensemble was established in 2005, when E’ Joung Ju joined creative forces with Australian musician Daami Cagney (classical guitar, clarinet, mandolin, harmonica) for a one off performance in an uptown Seoul art gallery.
Immediately realizing the beauty and uniqueness of the sounds they had created, they were compelled to take this fusion of genres even further. Soon after, they were joined by English-Canadian Brian Rose who, with a passion for ethnomusicology, brought to the group a unique blend of western and middle-eastern tones – specifically the folk guitar and the Turkish saz, as well as the artistry of combining the differing styles in composition. Thus, the trio was complete.
Since 2005, the ensemble, often joined by special guests, have played various venues throughout South Korea, performed live for national radio and TV and successfully completed two tours to Europe (2006/ 2007). Their first album was released in 2006 and was immediately successful. (The opening track Gil reached number one on the Korean traditional music download charts – the album itself reaching number three)
The ensemble offers the audience a unique fusion of musical instruments and styles from across the globe. Not only composing original pieces, the trio also arranges traditional melodies from their respective cultures and performs them in a way no group has ever done before.
