Gapyeong Jarasum Jazz to Feature Improvised Collaboration with AI Pianist... Held from October 9–11

Artificial Intelligence (AI) meets jazz artists on a real stage.

Official poster for the '23rd Jarasum Jazz Festival'

The '23rd Jarasum Jazz Festival' (hereinafter Jarasum Jazz) will present the 'Jazz AI Lounge' stage, which integrates AI technology into jazz performance in collaboration with KAIST MACLab (hereinafter KAIST).

This project is being conducted as part of the '2026 New Technology Convergence Music Content Development Support' project by the Korea Creative Content Agency, and is a joint effort between Jarasum Jazz, KAIST, and Studio Meta K (hereinafter Meta K).

Jazz is a genre where 'improvisation' is crucial, as the performance changes depending on the performer's tempo, breathing, and momentary choices, even for the same piece. This project focuses on this improvisation to show how AI participates in the changing performances of artists.

The 'Jazz AI Lounge' incorporates AI technologies such as real-time performance tracking, real-time generative performance, and performance visualization. The program consists of 'Performance Sessions,' which enhance the quality of the collaboration between AI and artists based on pre-learning, and 'Improvisation Sessions,' where AI reacts in real-time to the live performance without prior learning to engage in improvised collaboration.

An AI pianist that reacts to the performer's breathing... Performance Sessions by Heo Dae-wook, Kwak Jung-min Trio, and Moon Mi-hyang X Kim Dae-ho

Heo Dae-wook, Kwak Jung-min Trio, and Moon Mi-hyang X Kim Dae-ho will participate in the 'Performance Sessions.' The three teams will showcase jazz collaborations by exchanging performances within a single piece with the AI pianist.

The focus is on the AI presenting a high-quality collaboration with artists on the actual stage based on pre-learned performance pieces. The AI compares the pre-learned song with the actual performance in real-time to understand the progression of the piece, and even if the artist's performance changes, it performs in accordance with those changes.

The performance data created by the AI is transmitted to Yamaha's automatic playing piano, 'Disklavier,' and is implemented through actual movement of keys and pedals.

Meta K will visualize the AI pianist as a character-style 'virtual musician,' implementing a scene on an LED screen that looks as if an actual AI performer is playing the piano on stage. The audience can enjoy the collaboration between the AI and the artist through both music and video.

An AI musician that reacts spontaneously to the live performance... 'Improvisation Sessions' unfolding without prior learning

'Improvisation Sessions' is a stage where AI reacts in real-time to performances encountered for the first time on-site, without prior learning of specific performers or songs, to engage in improvised collaboration. When a pianist begins to play, the AI analyzes the pitch, rhythm, and tempo in real-time to generate bass and drum parts. Rather than playing pre-prepared accompaniment, the bass and drums change according to the performance, and the pianist also continues improvised playing in response to the performance created by the AI.

Jarasum Jazz has steadily continued attempts to interpret contemporary technology in the language of performing arts. Starting with the 'AI Composition Jazz Concert' in 2017, it has expanded the intersection of new technology and jazz through online performances in 2021, NFT tickets and the metaverse, XR concerts and AR press conferences in 2022, the Live Immersive Sound Stage in 2024, and the Immersive Video Project in 2025. This year, it presents a stage where AI and artists create a stage together, experimenting with new possibilities of jazz performance.

Starting in 2004 and marking its 23rd year this year, Jarasum Jazz is a festival where you encounter jazz amidst the nature of Jarasum and the daily life of Gapyeong. From October 9 to 11, domestic and international artists will present diverse stages throughout Jarasum and Gapyeong for three days. Elementary school students can enter for free, and pets are allowed, so not only jazz enthusiasts but also families can enjoy jazz along with the Gaeul of Gapyeong.

Tickets for Jarasum Jazz can be reserved on YES24, and detailed programs and lineups can be found on the official Jarasum Jazz website and SNS.

* Detailed technical manuals can be checked via Naver Drive.

Introduction to Jarasum Youth Jazz Center

The Jarasum Youth Jazz Center has been hosting and managing South Korea's representative jazz festival for three days every October since its first hosting in 2004. The Jarasum Jazz Festival takes place around Jarasum in Gapyeong-gun, which has a beautiful natural environment, and has been branded as a festival with over 20 years of history, featuring top-level jazz artists from around the world and domestic jazz artists. Over the past 22 editions, performers from 60 countries and 1,493 teams have visited Gapyeong Jarasum. It continues active international exchange, such as conducting focus programs that intensively introduce the jazz of one country each year and signing MOUs with leading overseas music festivals.

Additional data: https://works.do/FcT4bbI

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Institution: Jarasum Youth Jazz Center

· Category: Artificial Intelligence, Music, Jarasum Youth Jazz Center

· Distribution: September 15, 2026, at 9:30 AM

Source: Jarasum Youth Jazz Center Press Release (Newswire)

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