The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC), in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival, proudly co-presents Pureum Jin & The Empress on Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Union Stage in The Wharf neighborhood of Washington, D.C., part of the legendary and esteemed festival’s five-day 2026 lineup. This collaboration aims to introduce the distinctive musical voices of Korean and Korean American jazz artists while expanding cultural exchange between Korea and the United States.

The Empress, a New York-based jazz ensemble built around a unique frontline of four female saxophonists, was founded and is led by Korean-born saxophonist Pureum Jin. The ensemble brings together four individual musical voices to create one cohesive and powerful sound. Pureum Jin (alto/soprano saxophone), Tessie Overmyer (alto saxophone), Chelsea Baratz (tenor saxophone), and Lisa Parrott (baritone saxophone) draw from the bebop and jazz standard traditions and is distinguished by its sophisticated arrangements, tight ensemble interplay, precision, and expressive improvisation. The Empress released its debut album, Square One, in 2025 through Cellar Music Group. Recorded at the legendary Rudy Van Gelder Studio, the album received strong recognition on U.S. jazz radio charts and has established this rising ensemble on the New York jazz scene.

For this special Washington, D.C. performance, the four saxophonists will be joined by Allyn Johnson (piano), Amy Shook (bass), and Billy Williams (drums), creating a seven-piece ensemble. The 60-minute program will feature jazz standards and selections from Square One. The Empress aims to offer a fresh perspective on jazz traditions while highlighting the diversity and international character of today’s New York jazz scene.

Pureum Jin & The Empress at the DC Jazz Festival

Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Union Stage, The Wharf (740 Water St SW, Washington, DC 20024)

Tickets for this Event & Full Lineup

The Empress

About the DC Jazz Festival

Founded in 2005, the DC Jazz Festival is one of the leading jazz festivals in the United States and an internationally recognized cultural event featuring acclaimed jazz artists from around the world. In addition to concerts, the festival supports the development and appreciation of jazz through educational programs, workshops, and master classes.

The KCCDC has collaborated with the DC Jazz Festival over the years to introduce Korean jazz artists to Washington audiences and present them on the festival’s main stages. Previous collaborations have included Song Youngjoo Septet (2017), SEUM (2018), Ji Hye Lee (2019), and Jongkuk Kim (2025). Through its continued partnership with the DC Jazz Festival, the KCCDC seeks to expand opportunities for Korean and Korean American jazz artists and to strengthen mutual cultural exchange.

About Pureum Jin & The Empress

Pureum Jin | Leader, Saxophonist, Composer/Arranger

Pureum Jin is a South Korea-born, New York City-based award-winning saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator. She established herself as a distinctive voice in the international jazz scene with her debut studio album, The Real Blue, released through Cellar Live in June 2019. The album received critical acclaim from leading jazz publications, including a four-star review from DownBeat, and was featured in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s new-release roundup. Pureum Jin has since performed at leading jazz clubs, festivals, and venues in New York and around the world. She was a finalist in the Made in New York Jazz Competition in 2018 and performed at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center alongside acclaimed musicians including Al Foster and John Lee. In 2019, she received multiple honors at the New York Readers Jazz Awards, including Best Alto Saxophone, Best Female Rising Star, and Jazz Artist of the Year. She was also nominated for the Best Jazz/Crossover Performance category at the 2020 Korean Music Awards. Her discography includes Live in Europe (Nagel-Heyer, 2013), The Real Blue Live in Barcelona (SWIT Music, 2020), and other collaborative projects. She holds a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Postmodern Music from Kyung Hee University in South Korea.

Chelsea Baratz | Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, and Vocalist

Chelsea Baratz is a critically acclaimed saxophonist, composer, arranger, and vocalist based in New York City. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, she developed her musical foundation under influential Pittsburgh jazz musicians including Roger Humphries, Dwayne Dolphin, and Sean Jones before moving to New York in 2006. A graduate of The New School, Baratz has performed and recorded with artists including Aretha Franklin, Kali Uchis, Andromeda Turre, Maurice Brown, Orrin Evans, Nicholas Payton, Brandee Younger, Talib Kweli, Ben Williams, and Dezron Douglas. She is the founder, musical director, and business manager of HERA, and is known for her genre-defying musical approach, versatility, and distinctive voice as both an instrumentalist and vocalist.

Tessie Overmyer | Alto Saxophone

Originally from Newcastle, Australia, Tessie Overmyer is a New York-based alto saxophonist, composer, and bandleader known for her dynamic and distinctive musical voice. A prizewinner in Australia's National Jazz Awards, she has performed with artists including Mike Nock, Andrea Keller, Barney McCall, and Will Vinson, appearing at major festivals in Australia and the United States.

Lisa Parrott | Baritone Saxophone

Australian-born, New York-based Lisa Parrott is an acclaimed baritone and alto saxophonist, composer, and educator known for her highly original voice. She has performed with artists and ensembles including Dave Brubeck, Nancy Wilson, Cindy Blackman, Jimmy Heath's Big Band, and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, earning recognition in the DownBeat Critics Poll for baritone saxophone.

Allyn Johnson | Piano

A native Washingtonian, Allyn Johnson is a distinguished pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator known for his soulful and versatile artistry. He serves as Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of the District of Columbia, where he plays a leading role in shaping the next generation of jazz musicians.

Amy Shook | Bass

Amy Shook is one of the Mid-Atlantic's most sought-after acoustic bassists, celebrated for her powerful sound, driving groove, and versatility. An accomplished composer and multi-instrumentalist, she co-leads the 3D Jazz Trio and the Shook/Russo Quartet and has performed with prominent artists at major venues and festivals worldwide.

Billy Williams | Drums

A native of Virginia Beach, Billy Williams is an internationally acclaimed drummer, recording artist, and educator known for his musicianship and versatility. He has toured worldwide and performed with artists including Benny Golson, Cyrus Chestnut, Gary Bartz, Christian McBride, and Ellis Marsalis. A SONOR artist, Williams has contributed to more than 50 recordings.

About The Empress

The Empress is a New York-based jazz ensemble built around a frontline of four female saxophonists, each bringing a strong individual voice to a unified group sound. Founded and led by Korean-born saxophonist Pureum Jin, the ensemble draws from the bebop tradition through refined horn writing, strong collective interplay, and expressive improvisation. Their debut album, Square One (Cellar Music Group), was recorded at the legendary Rudy Van Gelder Studio and received strong recognition on U.S. jazz radio charts, establishing the group's growing presence on the contemporary jazz scene. The group is distinguished by its clarity, precision, and momentum, as well as its balance between a cohesive ensemble sound and distinct individual voices. On stage, The Empress delivers a confident and engaging performance grounded in swing, interaction, and expressive improvisation.

Pureum Jin