About
"On the new ükya album, Michael Lee Sørenmo plays his drums like a lead instrument, a rhythmical engine, a sound source and a connective tissue all at once. At times, it feels almost like he's tapped into the outlet of an invisible, electrically-charged generator of creative energy". (Fifteen questions, https://15questions.net/interview/michael-lee-sorenmo-ukya-about-improvisation/page-1/
Michael Lee Sørenmo is a Norwegian drummer whose musical expression is defined by curiosity, cultural exploration, and creative works. Drawing inspiration from improvisational music, jazz, and East Asian traditional music, he has developed a distinctive sound and performance style. His drum set blends the sound of the modern jazz kit with Korean drums and other percussive instruments, resulting in a unique and deeply personal playing. Through his work, he continuously seeks new sounds and textures in his drums, in combination with a focused rhythmical playing. A central goal of his work is to push the boundaries of contemporary music through the practice of improvisation and continuous discovery.
His development as an artist shows an ongoing commitment to innovation, cultural re-connection, and the creation of music that presents openness and thoughtful intention.
In recent years, Michael has toured extensively across Europe with his projects Wooli Duo and ükya, both of which remain active with new concerts and recordings planned. Other than that he has played with several projects in Scandinavia and released numerous records within the jazz, contemporary folk and improvisational music field.
During his studies in jazz and improvised music at the University of Stavanger, Michael began composing original material that was performed with his ensembles Jafs Trio, RØSK, and others. His compositions draw from modern jazz and diverse traditional music, with an emphasis on experimenting and creating new forms of expression and improvisational approach.
This work led him to pursue master’s studies at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg, where he deepened his exploration of global music traditions. He focused particularly on Korean traditional music, studying Korean rhythms and Korean drums, and searched for how to use this study and inspiration into his music. His research included several study trips to Seoul, including participation in the National Gugak Workshop at the National Gugak Center in the summer of 2023.