Janya: Modern Korean Shamanic Music
In Sanskrit Janya means to be born and in Korean Janya means around dawn. Janya was created by four unique musicians—all derived from Korean descent and all women. The music is a fusion of the East and West—the East: Seungmin Cha- Daegeum,
Eun Sun Jung- Gayageum and Woonjung Sim- Janggo, the west with Half Korean American Singer Lola Jung Danza. Something shamanic and magical exists between the four musician women and so—Janya was born… around dawn.
Janya is a daring new project incorporating traditional Korean instrumentation (Gayageum-Korean Zither, Daegeum-Bamboo flute, and Janggo- Drum with western vocals. The concept of this music is rooted in the Sinawi, a traditional form of Korean music used to accompany Korean Shamanic rites. Singer Lola Jung Danza, who is half Korean, summons her ancestors through music, an ancient art of healing and connecting with the past.
Improvisation is the driving force behind their performance and composition. The group composes new music-- laying beautiful poetry over traditional Korean instrumentation. Rich soundscapes paint the far off land of Korea while telling stories of women's life, personal strife, hope and perseverance. Korean shamans were mainly women-- the role was passed down maternally. This is a celebration of women in music and culture. Janya is paving new ground for Korean Shamanic Music-- breathing new life into a lost art form. Website
Eun Sun Jung- Gayageum and Woonjung Sim- Janggo, the west with Half Korean American Singer Lola Jung Danza. Something shamanic and magical exists between the four musician women and so—Janya was born… around dawn.
Janya is a daring new project incorporating traditional Korean instrumentation (Gayageum-Korean Zither, Daegeum-Bamboo flute, and Janggo- Drum with western vocals. The concept of this music is rooted in the Sinawi, a traditional form of Korean music used to accompany Korean Shamanic rites. Singer Lola Jung Danza, who is half Korean, summons her ancestors through music, an ancient art of healing and connecting with the past.
Improvisation is the driving force behind their performance and composition. The group composes new music-- laying beautiful poetry over traditional Korean instrumentation. Rich soundscapes paint the far off land of Korea while telling stories of women's life, personal strife, hope and perseverance. Korean shamans were mainly women-- the role was passed down maternally. This is a celebration of women in music and culture. Janya is paving new ground for Korean Shamanic Music-- breathing new life into a lost art form. Website
