Jarasum Jazz Festival Confirms Final Lineup of 39 Acts, Led by Grammy Winner Nate Smith
The 23rd edition, held 9–11 October on Jarasum in Gapyeong, has published its complete 39-act bill. Nate Smith returns after 17 years, and France is this year’s focus country marking 140 years of Korea–France relations.
PUBLICAi Editorial3 min read
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Key points
- The 23rd Jarasum Jazz Festival has confirmed a final lineup of 39 Korean and international acts. It runs for three days, 9–11 October, on Jarasum and around the town of Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.
- American drummer Nate Smith, a double winner at the 2026 Grammy Awards, returns to Jarasum for the first time in 17 years.
- France is this year's focus country, marking 140 years of Korea–France relations, with four acts in a dedicated programme. Tickets are on sale at Yes24 from KRW 198,000 for a three-day pass.
The Jarasum Jazz Festival, held every autumn on Jarasum in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, has confirmed this year's full bill. Munhwahyeonsang, the association that organises the festival, added 24 acts to the 15 announced in July and published the complete 39-act lineup for the 23rd edition on 25 August. The festival runs from 9 to 11 October across Jarasum and the town of Gapyeong, starting at 2 p.m. on the opening day and at noon on the second and third days.
The most prominent name on the bill is the American drummer and composer Nate Smith. At the 68th Grammy Awards earlier this year he won twice — Best Alternative Jazz Album for "LIVE-ACTION" and Best Arrangement for "Big Fish." Returning to Jarasum for the first time since 2009, he performs with keyboardist James Francies and bassist Chris Morrissey. The lineup also spans Europe, Oceania and Latin America: Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan, winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition; an improvised set by Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson and Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen; Bumpy, a singer-songwriter of the Australian Aboriginal Noongar people; and Colombian musician Anamaría Oramas. Korean acts include pianist Song Young-joo in a trio, jazz-funk band JSFA and Jambinai.
France was chosen as this year's focus country to mark 140 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. Four acts, among them WAKAN and Camille Bertault, take part in the French focus programme; earlier this year Korean bands played French jazz festivals on invitation, part of a continuing exchange between musicians in the two countries. Alongside the ticketed programme on Jarasum, a free party stage in the town of Gapyeong is headlined by singer-songwriter Lee Han-chul, open to residents and visitors alike.
Festival details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 23rd Jarasum Jazz Festival |
| Dates | Fri 9 – Sun 11 October, three days |
| Location | Jarasum and central Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province |
| Start times | 2 p.m. on day one / noon on days two and three |
| Lineup | 39 acts in total (15 announced first, 24 added) |
| Lineup announced | 25 August |
| Focus country | France (140 years of Korea–France relations) |
| Organiser | Munhwahyeonsang |
| Ticketing | Yes24 Ticket (exclusive) |
Ticket prices
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Three-day | KRW 198,000 |
| Two-day (Fri–Sat or Sat–Sun) | KRW 154,000 |
| One-day | KRW 88,000 |
Tickets admitting a dog are sold separately.
When and where is the 23rd Jarasum Jazz Festival?
From 9 to 11 October, across Jarasum and the town of Gapyeong in Gyeonggi Province. Music starts at 2 p.m. on the opening day and at noon on the second and third days.
How much are tickets?
A three-day pass is KRW 198,000, a two-day pass (Friday–Saturday or Saturday–Sunday) KRW 154,000, and a one-day pass KRW 88,000. Yes24 Ticket is the exclusive seller, and tickets admitting a dog are sold separately.
Who is performing?
Thirty-nine Korean and international acts. Among them are 2026 double Grammy winner Nate Smith, Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan, Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson with Finnish accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, Australian Noongar singer-songwriter Bumpy and Colombian musician Anamaría Oramas. Korean acts include the Song Young-joo Trio, jazz-funk band JSFA and Jambinai.
Who is Nate Smith?
An American drummer and composer. At the 68th Grammy Awards this year he won Best Alternative Jazz Album for "LIVE-ACTION" and Best Arrangement for "Big Fish." He last played Jarasum in 2009 and returns with keyboardist James Francies and bassist Chris Morrissey.
What is the France focus country programme?
A dedicated strand marking 140 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. Four acts take part, including WAKAN and Camille Bertault.
Is there anything free to attend?
Yes. A free party stage runs in the town of Gapyeong, headlined by singer-songwriter Lee Han-chul. The main stages on Jarasum require a ticket.
