Get Jazzy with Odd Meter Fairy at the City of Derry Jazz Fest!
16 April 2024
We’ve all heard of K-Pop – but K-Jazz anyone? Well, all is about to be revealed as the City of Derry Jazz Festival gets set to showcase one of Korea’s finest jazz ensembles when Odd Meter Fairy and the Jazzys fly in to the city next month.
The intriguingly named four-piece are one of the trendiest acts to grace the festival programme since it first began 23 years ago and will take to the stage at Bennigan’s Bar with their impressive jazz fusion set on Friday May 3rd.
Led by Odd Meter Fairy herself – Mi-Kyeong Kim – the band can’t wait to make their debut at the festival which draws artists from far and wide every year. And there’s a Derry connection! Mi-Kyeong Kim is married to local man David Doherty, who just can’t wait to show off his home town during one of the busiest and most vibrant weekends of the year.
David moved to Korea 11 years ago for work and ended up staying a bit longer than planned, as he explains. “I opened up my own jiu-jitsu gym here, and we met through a mutual friend which is a fun story in itself! While Mi-Kyeong is not being a jazz musician she helps me run the gym and also teaches the women's class.
“Odd Meter Fairy is the nickname Mi-Kyeong was given at university because she hated standard 4:4 timing, and all of her songs were in non-standard timing. So odd meter translates to Korean as "non-standard musical timing" and ‘fairy’ because her music has a magical style quality to it.”
And the Jazzys? “The Jazzys came from the time my mother saw something Mi-Kyeong was wearing and said, "Well, that looks very jazzy," David laughs. “So, she stole that idea from Derry slang!
“Originally, Odd Meter Fairy played in a two-person jazz ensemble, which was her previous focus. However, that band split up, and she assembled this band from three of the best session musicians in Korea. They are all successful musicians in their own right with their own excellent albums, and the other band members are often the ‘go-to’ musicians for some massive K-Pop bands for recordings and live events. So that’s how the four-piece band evolved!”
Bennigan’s Bar will be the backdrop for the band’s much anticipated Derry Jazz Festival debut, a dedicated jazz hub that regularly attracts the cream of local musical talent, so no better spot for Odd Meter Fairy. According to David, the crowd are in for a show stopping performance.
“Very simply the band’s style could be described as jazz fusion. Odd Meter Fairy creates all the songs but they are then enhanced with the help of three other amazing musicians. Each member of the band has studied jazz in the top jazz departments of Korean universities, which is where they met.
“So people can expect some real high-energy jazz - but not traditional jazz or ska. This is much more modern-feeling jazz, with a really emotive style. Each member has a sophisticated level of musical competence and ability, and the solos from each member will just blow people away.”
While they are here the band intend to create a Vlog of their Jazz Festival experience which will then be shared in Korea. And David can’t wait for them to experience some local culture and hospitality – not to mention the biscuits!
“We’re so looking forward to the trip. Obviously, our connection to Derry plays an important role, but the jazz scene in Korea isn't as big as in countries like Japan, so the band wants to use this opportunity to promote Korean jazz to Ireland - and the world as we will be making a Vlog as we go. We also want to show Koreans how much love and support there is for jazz outside of Korea. Playing at one of the biggest jazz festivals in the country will be unforgettable for all of us!
“I personally can't wait to show the band around the city, introduce them to the beautiful Derry and Irish culture that I grew up with, show them what Irish musicians can do, and show the wonderful friendliness of Derry people. Also, I’m looking forward to some local cuisine. Jaffa Cakes aren't available for purchase in Korea, so if McVities fancy sponsoring the band I would be very happy about that.”
You can catch Odd Meter Fairy and the Jazzys at Bennigans Bar on Friday May 3rd. Tickets are priced £15 from Bennigans Bar Box Office, open from 5-9pm. They will also be performing at Sandinos on Sat 4th May at 3pm and in The Craft Village on Sunday 5th May at 1pm.
The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival runs from Thursday May 2nd – Monday May 6th supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council, Diageo and Ulster University.
For info on the full programme of events – most of which are free – go to cityofderryjazzfestival.com