Along her journey Sun-Mi has received numerous accolades, including winning the SENA Dutch Jazz Competition in 2018 and the Edison Award in 2021 for her critically acclaimed album A Self-Strewn Portrait. Residing in the Dutch capital for a decade she has established herself as one of Europe’s most exciting drummers and inspiring composers. Hong’s latest release delves into the themes of home and community, echoing her journey from South Korea to the Netherlands. The album focuses on her experiences, building musical and personal connections far from her homeland.
Fourth Page: Meaning of a Nest delivers a patchwork of sculpted compositions. Rich with sonically pleasing passages and a plethora of dynamic improvisation, the result is a collection of creative and emotive outpourings. Bringing her compositions to fruition are Alistair Payne on trumpet, Nicolò Ricci on tenor saxophone, Chaerin Im on piano and Alessandro Fongaro on bass, with Sun-Mi Hong leading from the drums.
Sun-Mi’s writing is purposeful and blends together structured forms with creative expression, as shown on the opener “Meaning of a Nest I: Finding”. A unison trumpet and saxophone melody paints an eerie beginning, matched by the angular melodic response from the piano. A furious bass solo from Fongaro serves as a snippet of where the composition is heading; a back and forth dialogue between saxophone and trumpet is positively frenetic, confidently propelled by the rhythm section. Perfectly described by the track name, “Meaning of a Nest II: Perpetuating”, commences with a familiar two-horn theme that echoes throughout this piece, superseded by a similar piano pattern that occupies a background spot in the audio mix. Hong’s supportive drumming not only engages the soloists to new heights, but forms a mutual conversation toward the end as she confidently leads the group to a tenacious climax.
Dropping back down from the intensity of the previous tracks we are afforded a moment to bask in the dreamy and harmonious “Escapism”. Despite being the shortest track on the album, it feels like the longest, but in a positive way. The dulcet tones of Payne and Ricci are allowed to be appreciated, accompanied by the shimmering cymbals and rich bass. Unlike the other tracks it features no improvising, allowing the soundscape Sun-Mi Hong envisions to be the centre of attention.
Another three part mini-suite follows with “A Never-Wilting Petal I: Journey.” Ricci’s soft-spoken tenor weaves around a tranquil soundscape conjured by the rhythm section; each idea floated by Chaerin Im on piano is ruminative, allowing ample space for the music to grow. Moving to “A Never-Wilting Petal II: Loneliness”, an airy and bustling movement that features a searching, raspy solo from Payne on trumpet. There’s an underlying rhythmic pattern that guides throughout, likely a mirroring of the band leader's beginnings in a new country. Greeted by a solo, reverberating piano ostinato “A Never-Wilting Petal III: Blossom” brings a close to this mini trilogy. The improvising, on a deeper level, is a collective effort with small pockets of ideas from each member subtly integrated, creating a liberating listening experience.
“Toddler’s Eye” offers a quirky side, a brief sidestep, that continuously shifts from idea to idea, the opening ascending bass serving as a focal point before progressing to a vivacious tenor solo. “Heart Stone” introduces a contemporary sound influence, with a more avant-garde approach that utilises the instruments to create a meditative and reflective atmosphere.
Fourth Page: Meaning of a Nest concludes as a profound artistic statement, capturing Sun-Mi Hong's journey of self-discovery, resilience, and cultural adaptation. Individually, every track remains true to the composer's roots to convey themes of home, community, and a personal journey. Excellently supported by her fellow musicians, the album delivers a fine balance of intense passages and abstract moods, all the while demonstrating Hong’s willingness to expand her creative vision.