Winterplay (Korean: 윈터플레이）is a pop-jazz artist from South Korea currently consisting of one member: Juhan Lee as producer, songwriter and trumpet player. Winterplay debuted in 2007 and has 4 full albums out, with the last album titled, “Jazz Cookin’” 201
(https://vibe.naver.com/album/2903136)
Juhan created the project in November 2007 and by 2008, Juhan succeeded signing an International distribution deal with

Universal Music Japan , often referred to as just Universal Music Japan or UMJ, is a Japanese subsidiary of the Universal Music Group founded in 1990. It is the largest subsidiary for a foreign company in the country regarding music distribution. The company is resp ...

for worldwide distribution. (From 2008 to 2015 the band included the lead vocalist Haewon ( Haewon Moon / Moon Hye-won), with bassist Eunkyu So (So Eun Kyu) and guitarist Saza-Woojoon Choi as supporting members.) Winterplay has not only earned attention from Korea, but also creating waves in Japan and rest of the world as a first leader of "Jazz Hallyu". Debuting in 2007, Juhan Lee is a producer, songwriter and trumpet player. His latest jazz ballad, “Gganbu (067 & 240)” was inspired by Netflix Drama “Squid Games” featuring the Korean instrument, Haegum. Winterplay was the Music Show Runner for International Jazz Day 2022, which was funded by the City of Seoul, and produced by Loudpigs Music, where he also served as the music producer. In the 90 mins show, Winterplay hosted the show, performed under the band he formed for the International Jazz Day 2022 occasion and directed over 30 jazz musicians in 4 venues in Seoul.

History

*In 2008, Winterplay was charted No. 1 in the jazz section of

iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...

, and became the first Asian artist to perform at

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

Live in Japan. Since his first international debut in Japan in 2009 with his ''Songs of Colored Love'' album, he has released in 26 countries worldwide, with an international release showcase in London in 2010. Currently, Winterplay has 2 Gold Records in the category of Jazz in Korea for “Hot Summerplay”, and in Hong Kong for his second album ''Sunshines''. The ''Sunshines'' album release in Hong Kong's record franchise HMV, ranked no. 1 for the best-selling jazz album. *In 2013, Winterplay was invited to

Jade Solid Gold Jade Solid Gold (Chinese: 勁歌金曲, literally ''"powerful song golden melody"'') is a music show on the TVB Jade television channel in Hong Kong. It has been running since October 10, 1981. Broadcasting time TVB Jade *Sunday at 11:00pm to 11: ...

, one of the most prestigious music shows in Hong Kong. He was the first musician to be featured from abroad. *In 2014, Winterplay was invited to “The Sky Jazz: A Tribute to King” set to open on December 20 in Bangkok along with several big-name global musicians such as the

Count Basie Orchestra The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era, founded by Count Basie in 1935 and recording regularly from 1936. Despite a brief disbandment at the beginning of the 195 ...

Larry Carlton Larry Eugene Carlton (born March 2, 1948) is an American guitarist who built his career as a studio musician in the 1970s and 1980s for acts such as Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell. He has participated in thousands of recording sessions, recorde ...

John Pizzarelli John Paul Pizzarelli Jr. (born April 6, 1960, in Paterson, New Jersey) is an American jazz guitarist and vocalist. He has recorded over twenty solo albums and has appeared on more than forty albums by other recording artists, including Paul McCa ...

and

Diane Schuur Diane Joan Schuur (born December 10, 1953), nicknamed "Deedles", is an American jazz singer and pianist. As of 2015, Schuur had released 23 albums, and had extended her jazz repertoire to include essences of Latin, gospel, pop and country music ...

. Except for some Thai musicians, Winterplay was the only Asian band to perform in this festival. *His third album titled '' Two Fabulous Fools'' was released in Korea on July 17, 2013. As of October, 2013, Universal Music Hong Kong has also signed Winterplay for his release of '' Two Fabulous Fools'' in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Macau, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. *Winterplay released his fourth album titled " Jazz Cookin' " in Korea on March, 2019.

Music Style

* The genre of Winterplay's music is on the borders between

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

, pop,

latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

, and

lounge Lounge may refer to: Architecture * Lounge, the living room of a dwelling * Lounge, a public waiting area in a hotel's lobby * Lounge, a style of commercial alcohol- bar * Airport lounge, or train lounge (e.g., AMTRAK's Acela Lounge), a premium ...

. Unlike typical jazz songs dependent on piano, the strength of Winterplay's music is the pop feeling, strong melody, and short length without piano. Their jazz style is influenced by

Louis Armstrong Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several era ...

and it was decided to fuse their love of pop and jazz.

Band members

*Juhan Lee - producer, songwriter, jazz trumpeter

Discography

Tours and Concerts

Korea and International

*
Soul of Seoul Celebrates International Jazz Day 2022
, Online Concert (April, 2022) * "VISTAGE Voice 1 - Let's Get Lost with Winterplay", Vista Walkerhill Seoul (August, 2019) * "Jazz Cookin' - DJ Soulscape Curated 12", ''Hyundai Card Understage'', Seoul (April, 2019) * ''"Nonstop Summer Fever - Curated 24" , Hyundai Card Understage'', Seoul (July, 2016) * ''"Jazz Concert" Macao Cultural Centre'' (December, 2015) * ''"Nonstop Jazz Fever"'', LG Art Hall, Seoul (April, 2014) * ''"Jazz World Live Series" , Hong Kong'' (December, 2012) * ''Japan Sunset Live Festival'', Japan (September, 2011) * ''Japan Hayama Tribute to Bill Evans, in Japan'', Japan (August, 2011) * '' Sapporo International Jazz Festival'', Japan (July, 2011) * ''Hong Kong Summer Jazz Festival 2011'', Hong Kong (May, 2011) * ''Mister Kelley's'', Osaka (March, 2011) * ''Tour Concert in Japan "2011 Spring Tour", Toured 13 cities in Japan from North to South (March, 2011)'' * ''Tour Concer in Japan "Scene of Winter"'', Sendai, Iwaki, Kanai, Tokyo, Osaka, Shimonoeki (November, 2010) * ''JZ Brat Jazz Club'', Tokyo (November 2010) * ''Worldwide Release Party and Showcase in London'', England (September, 2010) * ''Thames Festival Concert'', England (September, 2010) * ''Live Tour in Japan'', Blue Note Nagoya (September, 2010) * ''Live Tour in Japan'', Blues Alley Tokyo (September, 2010) * ''Japan Kanazawa Jazz Festival'', Japan (September, 2010) * ''

Live Concert in Japan'', Tokyo and Osaka (November, 2009) * ''Korea Philippines 60 Years Friendship Concert in Manila'', Philippines (September, 2009) * ''1st Show case in Japan'',

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

in Roppongi, Tokyo (June, 2009) * ''Tokyo Asia Music Market Representing Korea'', Japan (October, 2008)

References

{{Authority control South Korean musical groups Musical groups established in 2007 2007 establishments in South Korea Jazz-pop musicians South Korean jazz ensembles