Nah Youn Sun: Korea's Jazz Princess in Penang
The Penang Island Jazz Festival 2007 showcases Korea's Nah Youn Sun, who has garnered fame at international jazz competitions. DENNIS CHUA writes of her repute in the music genre.
WHEN South Korea's still-infant jazz scene comes under the spotlight, many a music lover would name soft-spoken Nah Youn Sun as the country's jazz princess.
Nah is widely recognised both in her homeland and in France where she studied, for her passion and dedication to jazz music.
A vocalist, pianist and composer, Nah (who is marking her second appearance in Malaysia), will be performing at the Penang Island Jazz Festival 2007 at the Bayview Beach Resort in Batu Feringghi, George Town, on Saturday and Sunday.
“I've yet to familiarise myself with Malaysia's jazz stars but I've been told there are a few who are world-class. This is my first visit to Penang, and I'm rather excited to explore the beautiful island city," she said.
She first set foot in Malaysia at the Miri Jazz Festival in Miri, Sarawak last year, and is looking forward to meeting more international jazz stars, including those from the host country such as Noryn Aziz and James Boyle.
The elder of classical conductor Nah Young-Soo's two children (she has a younger brother who is a photographer), Nah grew up listening to classical and orchestral music, as well as Korean pop and British and American jazz.
In 1994, she had her first shot at fame acting in the rock musical Subway Line 1, after which she spent three years studying at Paris' CIM Jazz School.
Graduating with a jazz vocal diploma in 1998, she also underwent vocal training at the Beauvais National Music Institute and Nadia And Lili Boulanger Conservatory. She lectured in music for a year, from 1999 to 2000 at the CIM, and released her debut album Reflet in 2001.
As a performer, Nah has her own musical group, the Nah Youn Sun Quintet comprising a pianist, bassist, drummer, vibraphone player and herself as vocalist. The quintet, now in its ninth year, has performed in clubs, festivals and concerts around South Korea, East Asia and Europe and has also recorded songs in French studios.
WHEN South Korea's still-infant jazz scene comes under the spotlight, many a music lover would name soft-spoken Nah Youn Sun as the country's jazz princess.
Nah is widely recognised both in her homeland and in France where she studied, for her passion and dedication to jazz music.
A vocalist, pianist and composer, Nah (who is marking her second appearance in Malaysia), will be performing at the Penang Island Jazz Festival 2007 at the Bayview Beach Resort in Batu Feringghi, George Town, on Saturday and Sunday.
“I've yet to familiarise myself with Malaysia's jazz stars but I've been told there are a few who are world-class. This is my first visit to Penang, and I'm rather excited to explore the beautiful island city," she said.
She first set foot in Malaysia at the Miri Jazz Festival in Miri, Sarawak last year, and is looking forward to meeting more international jazz stars, including those from the host country such as Noryn Aziz and James Boyle.
The elder of classical conductor Nah Young-Soo's two children (she has a younger brother who is a photographer), Nah grew up listening to classical and orchestral music, as well as Korean pop and British and American jazz.
In 1994, she had her first shot at fame acting in the rock musical Subway Line 1, after which she spent three years studying at Paris' CIM Jazz School.
Graduating with a jazz vocal diploma in 1998, she also underwent vocal training at the Beauvais National Music Institute and Nadia And Lili Boulanger Conservatory. She lectured in music for a year, from 1999 to 2000 at the CIM, and released her debut album Reflet in 2001.
As a performer, Nah has her own musical group, the Nah Youn Sun Quintet comprising a pianist, bassist, drummer, vibraphone player and herself as vocalist. The quintet, now in its ninth year, has performed in clubs, festivals and concerts around South Korea, East Asia and Europe and has also recorded songs in French studios.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
