Jazz and jam fans, may I introduce you to the profoundly talented SE Kim and the SE Kim Trio. This is one jazz guitarist who will be soon crowding jazz greats such as John Scofield and rock guitarists such as Keller Williams from their well-earned pedestals. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied jazz and the New York University where he earned a Masters in jazz performance, Kim is a bright new talent on the East Coast.
Like many young guitarists, Kim was first influenced by rock and blues, which coaxed him to pick up the guitar at 15. Today, those stylings still creep into his work. But it is his deep devotion to jazz that has allowed him to expand his musical palette with restrain but with some emotional daring.
On his debut CD, Moment, Kim’s exceptional guitar work is supported by two equally talented musicians. Creative bass work is handled by Woo-Young Kim, and inventive drumming is produced by Nick Anderson. The seven tracks, all Kim’s compositions, are definitely not ego-driven guitar exercises that leave his bandmates in his shadow. There is a very definite sense of equality in the performance as if Kim built in places where the other members of the band could shine—or, in the custom of jazz, he allowed his bandmates a bit of latitude in fleshing out his work. That call can’t be made from listening to the CD, but would have to come from Kim himself.
“Night Light,” in particular, has some very tasty drum work. But even it is thoughtful and added as beautiful enhancements instead of Gene Krupa grandstanding. For that reason, Anderson is really a drummer’s drummer because he listens well.
Many tracks, including “Maybe It’s Better This Way,” also let Woo-Young Kim’s bass resonate. It is not just as another rhythm instrument to keep the band on track, but adds a distinctive voice, almost as another guitar voice, filling in areas in between what Kim does on electric guitar.
The track, “You Are Free to Go,” is more about ambient guitar with counterpointal touches of drums and cymbals. This time the bass is a drone in the background allowing this conversation to occur between Anderson and Kim. That’s quite usual because many times guitarists will “talk” back and forth with their bassists or a horn player, but not with a drummer. During part of this conversation, the bass steps back and let’s all of this take place. Frankly, I’ve never heard anything quite like this in jazz circles or in jam circles, where just about any kind of musical conversation is permitted.
Moment is definitely not a CD to showcase Kim’s guitar, just allowing the bass and drums to support his noodling. This is most assuredly a well-crafted album of complete compositions for a trio. And, it is executed by three young talents who will soon become jazz and jam masters. The next step is to get this trio on the road, playing at festivals and other venues where fans listen as closely as this trio does to each other and who will be eager to groove with their inventiveness.
Reviewed By Janie Franz
