Min Rager

Min Rager Biography

Min Rager is one of Canada’s premier female jazz pianists and composers. Born in Seoul, Korea, she moved to Montreal in 1997 to pursue a professional music career. She holds her Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the Schulich school of music at McGill University graduating with the distinction of “ Outstanding achievement in Jazz Piano”.

At the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2005 her Quintet was nominated for the “Grand prix de jazz General Motors”. Also that year, Min was the recipient of the “ Best new Artist” award from Montreal’s L’OFF Festival de Jazz.

In 2008, Min received a commission from CBC to compose a jazz suite for 2 pianos. The work, lasting 10 minutes, was submitted to the European Broadcasting Union as a part of “ The Handel Project 2009” to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the composer’s death. Min has also performed on several National Film Board of Canada soundtracks. She is featured on the soundtrack for the internationally acclaimed documentary short film “ Letters from Pyongyang” directed by Jason Lee. Min has released 2 CDs as a leader, “ Bright Road” and “ First Step” on Effendi Records based in Montreal. In 2017, Min independently released her 3rd CD “Train Of Thought”. She has toured extensively in Canada and continues to perform actively with some of the top jazz musicians in North America including Don Thompson, Terry Clarke, Kieran Overs, Donny McCaslin, Joel Frahm, Walt Weiskopf , Kenji Omae, Kevin Dean, Andre White. Min is currently on faculty at the Schulich school of Music of McGill University where she teaches courses and Jazz piano lessons in the jazz department.

Awards

2005. Francois-Marcaurelle award " Best new artist" from L'OFF Jazz Festival

Tags

Album Review

Bright Road by Budd Kopman

Take Five With...

Take Five With Min Rager

Album Review

First Steps by Raul d'Gama Rose

"On the Bright Road, McGill University jazz student Min Rager is more than able to keep up with her profs. A hard-hitting, sophisticated pianist, she leads a powerful, straight-ahead quintet that includes faculty members Kevin Dean (trumpet) and Andre White (drums), as well as bassist Kieran Overs and alto saxophonist Donny Kennedy. Rager writes sumptuous songs with plenty of harmonic meat and built-in swing. The veterans tear through them, and recent McGill grad Kennedy impresses with his assurance and big, tart sound." —Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen

"Pianist Min Rager's debut CD showcases her strong attack on the keyboard and bright world of view. This upbeat outlook is a common thread in these eight original compositions, which she also arranged for this quintet... Trailing and Romanticism are ballades with Trumpeter Kevin Dean where the pianist's lyricism is deeply entrenched." —Irwin Block, The Montreal Gazette

"...reminded me of Bobby Timmons/Joe Zawinul glory days of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet - crackling, exuberant, rich with the essence of the blues... Min Rager, whose affable yet vigorous style fit perfectly. Not to sleight the rest of the band, but she is a talent to watch out for." —Mark Keresman, Prime Time Magazine

"Some Seoul music played and composed by one of the larger talents presently on the Montreal jazz scene. An impressive debut." —Len Dobbin, Montreal Mirror

"She has tremendous spirit and I love her compositions. The band is terrific and well worth paying attention to." —Claire Lawrence, Producer, CBC's Jazz Beat

"Blessed with the gift of melody, Min Rager has created an album of original compositions full of smiles, hope, laughter, and just plain great listening. The Korean native is now completing her master's degree at McGill University in Canada; Bright Road is her debut on record. The sound created by the quintet is huge, which can only be explained by the sharp arranging of the trumpet and alto sax, and how Rager herself comps and solos on piano behind them.

This is jazz from the mainstream that is anything but flabby or shallow. What you hear is what you get, but the music is so uplifting, so right there it inspires and refreshes. There is no listener fatigue, despite the fact that the music is so up. Look not here for quirkiness or out playing, but rather for music making that soothes the soul while simultaneously engaging the mind in many different ways." —Budd Kopman, All About Jazz

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