Korean Winterplay isn’t a conventional jazz band, though it’s hardly a typical pop group, either. Group leader and trumpeter Lee Joo-han explains that he, the contrabassist, and the guitarist are all trained as jazz performers, but they took a more pop-inflected approach as Winterplay. Lee explains, “We formed the band with the attitude of jazz musicians making a pop album.”
Winterplay aren’t seen regularly on television like other pop and rock acts. In fact, their rise in the public consciousness came mostly through a commercial that featured one of their songs.
Lee Joo-han says, “Normally, jazz musicians have some time off in the winter, so we formed a band with the idea of only acting as a project group that performed in the winter. That’s why we took on the name ‘Winterplay.’”
They got together and began making music without a music label, but they were able to complete the recording and mixing on their album with the aid of their now-label (Fluxus) president (who’s also Lee Joo-han’s friend). Upon hearing their music, he invited them to sign with him immediately to form not a project group but an official band.
They released their first album in January 2008, which contained a song that drew a request by the Samsung Hauzen appliance brand to be used in a CF starring Witch Amusement actress Han Ga-in (CF and song here). Winterplay re-recorded their album’s “Happy Bubble” for use in the commercial, and the song reached #1 on the domestic jazz chart.
Now they’ve released a special album, “Hot Summerplay,” which just about doubles their playlist. Included are some new tunes featuring their now-recognizable mix of pop, jazz, blues, and bossa nova. Their first single from the album is the song “Gypsy Girl” (which was featured in the preview video for the film Ogamdo).
Winterplay aren’t seen regularly on television like other pop and rock acts. In fact, their rise in the public consciousness came mostly through a commercial that featured one of their songs.
Lee Joo-han says, “Normally, jazz musicians have some time off in the winter, so we formed a band with the idea of only acting as a project group that performed in the winter. That’s why we took on the name ‘Winterplay.’”
They got together and began making music without a music label, but they were able to complete the recording and mixing on their album with the aid of their now-label (Fluxus) president (who’s also Lee Joo-han’s friend). Upon hearing their music, he invited them to sign with him immediately to form not a project group but an official band.
They released their first album in January 2008, which contained a song that drew a request by the Samsung Hauzen appliance brand to be used in a CF starring Witch Amusement actress Han Ga-in (CF and song here). Winterplay re-recorded their album’s “Happy Bubble” for use in the commercial, and the song reached #1 on the domestic jazz chart.
Now they’ve released a special album, “Hot Summerplay,” which just about doubles their playlist. Included are some new tunes featuring their now-recognizable mix of pop, jazz, blues, and bossa nova. Their first single from the album is the song “Gypsy Girl” (which was featured in the preview video for the film Ogamdo).
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