Onstage Korea 2026:

Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist Maria Kim Live in Concert

Celebrating Korean Jazz and Cultural Exchange in Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre 

641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004

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The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents Onstage Korea 2026: Jazz Vocalist Maria Kim Live in Concert featuring the acclaimed singer and pianist at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 for an intimate performance at DC’s Woolly Mammoth Theatre.

Maria Kim will be joined by four outstanding New York-based jazz musicians:bassist Ben Wolstein, drummer Aaron Seeber, and saxophonists Asaf Yuria and Pureum Jin. Together, the artists will present a dynamic program showcasing the expressive possibilities of contemporary jazz. The concert aims to introduce the sophistication, creativity, and emotional depth of Korean jazz while highlighting the unique artistic voices of Korean musicians active on the global stage. 

The 60-minute concert will feature beloved jazz standards including “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise,” “One Note Samba,” “The Very Thought of You,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and “Honeysuckle Rose,” along with iconic Korean folk songs. Through sophisticated arrangements and emotionally rich performances, this ensemble will present a musical journey that reflects both the universal language of jazz and the distinctive artistry of Korean musicians.

Onstage Korea is the KCCDC’s signature performing arts series dedicated to discovering exceptional Korean and Korean-inspired artists, providing opportunities to share their creativity with American audiences. Through live performances in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the series promotes cultural exchange by expanding the visibility of Korean performing arts and artists within the broader American arts community.

Since its launch, Onstage Korea has presented innovative Korean and Korean-inspired artists across diverse genres, from traditional Korean music and contemporary fusion performances to jazz and other forms of creative expression. Through collaborations with local cultural institutions, the program continues to connect Korean artists with diverse audiences in the United States.

Maria Kim is a celebrated jazz pianist and vocalist known for her distinctive musical expression and elegant interpretations of jazz standards. A graduate of both the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, she has performed at influential jazz venues in New York and throughout Asia. Combining her artistry as a pianist with a captivating vocal style, Kim has developed a unique identity that bridges jazz tradition with contemporary sensibilities. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best Jazz Vocal Album Award at the 2022 Korean Music Awards, the Jazz Audio Disc Award from Japan’s Jazz Critics Association, and the Jazz Artist Award at the 2023 Korean Entertainment Arts Awards.

This event is free with advance registration. Additional information regarding registration and event details will be available through the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. website and social media channels.

RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!

About OnStage Korea

Onstage Korea, presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., is a performing arts series that introduces outstanding Korean and Korean-inspired artists from around the world to audiences in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The program discovers talented artists and ensembles across diverse genres and provides opportunities to share their creativity through live performances. By offering exceptional performances free to the public, Onstage Korea promotes international cultural exchange, expands the presence of Korean performing arts in the United States, and fosters meaningful connections between Korean artists and local communities.

Featuring a new selection of artists each year, Onstage Korea continues to serve as a platform for innovative performances that showcase the diversity, creativity, and global influence of Korean culture.

About the Artists

Maria Kim |  Jazz Vocalist & Pianist

Maria Kim, a world-class jazz musician, is an outstanding jazz pianist and vocalist who has captivated audiences around the globe with her free spirited artistry. Having won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2022 Korean Music Awards, received the Jazz Audio Disc Award selected by Japan's Jazz Hihyo (Jazz Critique) magazine, and earned the Jazz Artist Award at the 29th Korea Entertainment Arts Awards in 2023, Maria Kim has firmly established herself as one of Korea's leading jazz artists. With a recording contract from the U.S. based jazz label La Reserve, she released acclaimed studio albums such as Misty Blue and Love Letters, both of which reached No. 1 on jazz charts on platforms including Apple Music and Yes24. In this performance, Maria Kim will present a special collaboration with some of New York’s finest musicians: Ben Wolstein (bass), Aaron Seeber (drums), Asaf Yuria (saxophone), and Pureum Jin (saxophone).

Ben Wolstein | Bass

Ben Wolstein is a New York City–based jazz bassist whose expressive playing, deep sense of swing, and thoughtful musicianship have made him a sought-after collaborator on the city's vibrant jazz scene. Grounded in the tradition of the great bassists while bringing a fresh, modern voice to every performance, he is known for his warm tone, melodic improvisation, and intuitive accompaniment. Ben Wolstein has performed alongside acclaimed Johnny O'Neal, Samara Joy, Richard Cortez, collaborating with leading members of New York City's vibrant jazz community. His versatility allows him to move effortlessly between straight-ahead jazz, bebop, ballads, and contemporary styles, always providing a strong rhythmic foundation while contributing creatively to the music. Whether anchoring a trio, supporting vocalists, or performing in larger ensembles, Wolstein approaches every performance with sensitivity, musical integrity, and a deep commitment to communication through jazz. His growing presence in the New York jazz community reflects both his technical artistry and his dedication to the enduring tradition of improvised music.

Aaron Seeber | Drums

Aaron Seeber a drummer living in Queens, NY is making his name as an emerging Jazz drummer in New York City. Aaron attended SUNY Purchase, where he studied Jazz Drums under the tutelage of renowned instructors Kenny Washington and John Riley. As a performer, Seeber has had the incredible opportunity to share the stage with greats Eric Reed,  Johnny O'Neal, Eric Alexander, Pete Malinverni, Warren Wolf, Grant Stewart, Jeremy Pelt, Tim Green, Ugonna Okegwo, Bruce Harris, Gary Smulyan,  Mike Ledonne, Freddie Redd, Butch Warren, Chuck Redd, and many others. He has performed internationally with The Warren Wolf Trio and nationally with the grammy award winning group, The New York Voices. Seeber recently recorded his debut record "First Move" featuring Warren Wolf, Tim Green, Sullivan Fortner, and Ugonna Okegwo. It will be released May 13th, 2022 on Cellar Live Records. Aaron endorses Murat-Diril Cymbals and Canopus Drums

Asaf Yuria | Saxophone

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1985, Yuria was raised on the recordings of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and countless others. By high school, he’d advanced to play alongside some of the top musicians in the capital’s close-knit jazz scene. However, the bright lights of New York City were always an aspiration for the young Yuria. He eventually moved to the US to follow his dreams, spending thirteen successful years playing in jazz clubs, jam sessions and music festivals around the world. Yuria soon enrolled at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in the late 2000’s where he came under the influence of close mentor Billy Harper, as well as George Cables, Reggie Workman, Billy Hart and Charles Tolliver. “The expression of study has to come out through the prism of my life experience and ideas,” he reflects. Yuria is bold with his goals, which shine through his highly intuitive charts steeped in detailed knowledge of great masters of the past.

Pureum Jin | Saxophone

Pureum Jin is a South Korea-born, NYC-based award-winning saxophonist, arranger, and composer, establishing herself as one of the leading figures in the jazz world with her first studio album ‘The Real Blue’ released through Cellar Live in June 2019. Since its release, the album has been receiving rave reviews from prestige jazz magazines, such as a 4-star review from Downbeat on its September issue, being featured as one of the albums on Jazz at Lincoln Center blog’s June New Release Round-up, making a cover of Jazz People Magazine in Korea, etc. Pureum’s quickly establishing as a key figure in NYC jazz scene, as she quickly makes debuts on most notable jazz clubs in the city and getting rave reviews from prestige jazz magazines around the world, including Downbeat, New York City Jazz Magazine, Jazz People, MM Jazz, etc. She was selected as one of the finalists for the Made in New York jazz competition 2018, making on stage as one of the few selected finalists at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center with legends including Al Foster and John Lee for the competition’s awards ceremony. Pureum also has recently won ‘Best Alto Saxophone’, ‘Best Female Rising Star’, and ‘Jazz Artist of the Year’ categories of New York Readers Jazz Awards 2019 hosted by Hot House Jazz Magazine and JazzMobile. She was also selected as one of the nominees in Korean Music Awards 2020’s “The best Jazz/Crossover - The Best Performance” category.

Images (Full resolution available upon request)