SAMA: Music + Art welcomes Sangjaru to Seattle this September for an electrifying evening where Korean folk traditions meet fearless contemporary experimentation.

Formed in Seoul in 2019, Sangjaru blends the expressive depth of pansori storytelling, sanjo improvisation, and minyo folk song with the energy of gypsy swing, funk, rock, and free improvisation. The trio creates a sound that is both ancient and modern, deeply rooted in Korean tradition while pushing boldly into new sonic territory.

That same year, Sangjaru won the prestigious Sori Frontier prize at the Jeonju International Sori Festival, a national platform dedicated to elevating innovative Korean traditional artists onto the international stage. Since then, they have toured across the UK and Europe, earning critical acclaim and receiving the 2019 Darkchat Best Show & Best Music Award for their dynamic live performances.

Making their Pacific Northwest debut at Rainier Arts Center, Sangjaru promises a performance that is immersive, unpredictable, and exhilarating; a powerful reimagining of Korean folk music for contemporary audiences.

The trio:

Cho Sungyoon: guitar

Kwon Hyochang: janggu (hourglass drum) and kkwaenggwari (small gong)

Nam Seonghun: ajaeng (bowed zither)

Supported in part by 4Culture.