DAORUM

Created by Simon Barker in 2005 after an extraordinary journey throughout Korea with Kim Dong Won, Daorum features Korean pansori singer Bae il Dong, Kim Dong Won, Phil Slater, Carl Dewhust, and Matt McMahon.

Drawing on selections from the pansori classics as vehicles for improvisation, Daorum incorporates Korean traditional rhythms and contemporary jazz, creating an exciting high-energy cultural exchange. The group has performed at numerous international arts festivals including the 2008 Hemispheres Festival, Sydney Opera House, 2006 Jeonju Sori Festival, Korea, 2007 Queensland Music Festival, 2008 OZASIA Festival, Adelaide, and the 2010 Gwangju World Music Festival, Korea.

REVIEWS

“The audience is totally riveted throughout the 90-minute performance.” The Jakarta Post

"Daorum is an exceptional example of musical fusion at its best. Steeped in the conventions of modern jazz but celebrating the traditions of Korean pansori singing, Daorum is a rare musical treat. It is new, original, and very exciting." Dianna Carroll - The Independent Weekly

"Daorum's music breaks new ground" ABC online

"Bae’s pansori, or Korean epic song, with the sounds of the keyboard and electric guitar, trumpet, cymbals climbed to a climax where all the musicians seemed to be creating a world of their own." Korea Herald "Their forces combined proved to be a remarkable musical interaction. From the beginning of the performance, it clearly had nothing to do with finding a couple of secret Eastern-enriched flavorings for the new age jazz scene" Korea Herald

RELEASE ON KIMNARA RECORDS

Daorum’s debut recording is now available through Kimnara Records, visit www.kimnara.com.au to find out more. The recording has been described by John Shand (SMH) as “breathtaking”, as “open hearts yield gorgeous hybrid”.

BACKGROUND

 In 2005, I was presented with the   opportunity to travel throughout  Korea to meet performers of  traditional music in order to discuss   physical and spiritual aspects of  Korean music practice. Fortunately, I was  able to meet some of Korea’s  greatest musicians including  the late  Kim Seok Chul, a Grand Master of Shaman music who has been a great inspiration to me for many years. Film-maker Emma  Franz documented the journey and the resulting documentary feature film, Intangible Asset Number 82 was released internationally in  2009.

Our contact in Korea was Kim Dong Won, a remarkable musician and educator. During the trip, Dong Won shared his thoughts on Korea’s unique cultural heritage, and was a wonderful teacher, guide, translator and musical collaborator. Along the way, he introduced us to Bae Il Dong, an extraordinary pansori artist who’s inspiring life story is featured in Emma’s film.

Traditionally, in order to master the various elements of pansori, singers would spend long periods in isolation practicing on waterfalls. Il Dong is one of the few contemporary singers to follow this harsh tradition. While still a student, he travelled to Mount Chiri and spent many years living by a waterfall, practicing up to 18 hours a day in order to reveal “the voices”.

One of the most powerful musical memories I have is listening to Bae Il Dong and Kim Dong Won perform pansori on a waterfall at Chiri Mountain. Hearing Il Dong sing on the waterfall where he’d spent many years in isolation was an exhilarating experience that inspired the formation of this ensemble, which features a group of old and new friends.

With improvisation, collaboration and mutual understanding as our guides, Daorum is an exploration of musical possibility by a group of musicians with varied backgrounds. Each time we perform, our musical and personal friendships deepen, as does our appreciation of the diverse musical traditions of our two countries.

Simon Barker 2009