The South Korean pop-jazz quartet Winterplay will perform at an annual festival hosted by the Thai royal family, the band’s management agency said Thursday.

Winterplay was invited to “The Sky Jazz: A Tribute to King” set to open on Dec. 20 in Bangkok along with several big-name global musicians such as the Count Basie Orchestra, Larry Carlton, John Paul Pizzarelli, Jr. and Diane Schuur, Loud Pigs said.

The Thai royal family has annually hosted the festival in celebration of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday, which falls on Dec. 5. This year’s festival is jazz-themed for the 86-year-old jazz enthusiast.

Except for some Thai artists, Winterplay will be the only Asian band to perform at the festival.

“The musicians invited this year are those who have been remaining at the top posts for years,” an official with the agency said. “The fact that Winterplay is set to stand on the same stage with them proves (the world’s) recognition of its unique musicality and emerging popularity in the Asian region.”

The quartet is comprised of vocalist Haewon and Lee Juhan (trumpet, composition and producer), with bassist So Eunkyu and guitarist Choi Saza-Woojoon as supporting members.

Debuting in 2007 with its first album, “Choco Snowball,” the band quickly became one of the hottest in the Korean music scene. (Yonhap)