Gray by Silver brings their acclaimed sound to Viva Blackpool as part of their November UK tour, ahead of their highly anticipated performance at the EFG London Jazz Festival at Royal Albert Hall (15 November).
Formed in 2016, this critically acclaimed Korean crossover quartet represents a new wave of contemporary Korean music, blending the emotional depth of traditional Korean elements with the expressive language of contemporary jazz and classical composition. Led by pianist-composer HanBin Lee, alongside the ethereal vocals of HanYul Lee, the evocative daegeum (bamboo flute) of Taehyun Kim, and the dynamic percussion of Yedarm Pak, the ensemble creates a sound world that is both deeply rooted and forward-looking.
What to Expect
Gray by Silver's music embraces improvisation, stillness, and poetic reflection—offering a rare counterpoint to today's accelerated musical landscape. Their intricately rendered arrangements draw from traditional Korean folk songs, vernacular tunes, and original compositions, creating what critics call "timeless, universal, and touching music."
Expect meditative soundscapes that allow space for imagination, virtuosic instrumental interplay, and HanYul's pure-toned vocals that transcend language barriers. Whether experienced as contemporary classical, fusion jazz, or new age instrumental, their music has been described as "calm but suspenseful," "delicate yet powerful," and "simply beautiful."
Recent Acclaim
The group received standing ovations at Lincoln Center in New York and has captivated international audiences at Colours of Ostrava Festival (Czech Republic), Copenhagen Jazz Festival (Denmark), and Jodhpur RIFF (India). Their debut album Eternal Gray (2020) was nominated for Best Jazz & Crossover Album at the Korean Music Awards.
What Critics Are Saying:
"If you take the time to truly stop and experience their music, I promise you'll be transported too."
— Jordana Leigh, Senior Director of Artistic Programming, Lincoln Center NY
"Timeless, universal and touching music that lets the Asian philosophy and origins shine through."
— Birgit Ellinghaus, Director, alba KULTUR (Frankfurt Old Opera House)
"...sublime virtuosity where improvisation is a key element of the performance. Eternal Grey is wistful and ethereal and a graceful platform for each of the members of the group."
— Lopa Kothari, BBC Radio3 Presenter
"Gray by Silver's music is beautiful, delicate, and extremely refined... evocative melodies — sung in pure tones, but not in any language — could resonate with audiences all over the world."
— David Frazier, Director, Urban Nomad Freakout Music Festival
"Intimate, beautiful, inspiring music. Western tunes that fit perfectly with Korean traditional and singing tradition."
— Marco Antonio Perales Rodriguez, Managing Director, CityZen Music
One-Night Only
Catch Gray by Silver in this strictly limited intimate Blackpool performance before they take the stage at Royal Albert Hall.
