This year's Seoul Jazz Festival promises to be an exciting event in May, with a stellar line-up of top foreign and local jazz artists.
American trumpet player Chris Botti, British band Incognito, French bossa nova group Nouvelle Vague, as well as Korean jazz group Prelude and Korean singers Lee Hyun-woo, Woongsan and Lena Park are among the performers. The four-day event will be held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Gwanghwamun from May 21 to 24.
On May 21, the Korean Jazz-Pop Crossover Night will feature performances by jazz pianist Kim Kwang-min, singer Lena Park and actor-singer Lee Hyun-woo.
Kim, who studied in Berkeley and the New England Conservatory of Music, is known for “Koreanizing" jazz music. He has released five albums including “A Letter from the Earth" (1990), “Shadow of the Moon" (1993), and “Time Travel" (2007).
Park, also known as Park Jung-hyun, is considered to have one of the strongest voices in Korean pop. She shot to stardom with the release of her first album, “Piece," in 1998. Her music is not limited to R&B, but also includes elements of jazz, soul, funk and gospel.
Lee made his debut in the Korean music industry in 1991 with his album “Black Rainbow." His 4th album, “Freewill of my Heart," achieved mainstream success in 1997. He is also a popular actor, appearing in TV dramas such as “Attic Cat" and “Dalja's Spring." Romantic Jazz Night is on May 22, with renowned American trumpeter Chris Botti and special guest Woongsan.
Botti has released 10 albums, specializing in smooth and traditional jazz sounds. He has performed with musicians like Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, Andrea Boccelli, Rod Stewart, Sting, Michael Buble and Burt Bacharach. Last year, he released his album “Italia," a nod to his Italian heritage. It was nominated for the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Veteran jazz singer Woongsan, who has performed live for the past 12 years, is better known in Japan. She has released several albums in Japan and Korea, and performed concerts in both countries.
Groove to the beats of American jazz group The Crusaders and popular Korean group Prelude on Funky Groove Night on May 23.
The Crusaders became famous in the 1970's because of their unique mix of jazz, pop and soul. They have released more than 40 albums since forming in 1961. In 2003, founding members pianist Joe Sample, drummer Stix Hooper and saxophonist Wilton Felder revived the group and released their album “Rural Renewal."
Prelude is a popular Korean jazz group composed of Ko Hee-an playing the piano, Charles Lee playing the saxophone, Choi Jin-bae on bass, Richard Rho on the tenor saxophone and Abraham Lagrimas Jr. on drums. Their debut album, “Croissant," was a hit in Korea.
The festival ends on May 24 with Stylish Jazz Night featuring British acid jazz group Incognito and French bossa nova Nouvelle Vague.
Incognito is known as one of the prime movers of the British acid jazz movement. Composer, singer and guitarist Jean-Paul “Bluey" Maunick has led the group since their first album, “Jazz Funk," was released in 1981. Their latest album, “Bees + Things + Flowers," was released in 2006.
Korean fans may know Nouvelle Vague for the song “This is Not a Love Song," which was used in the TV drama “Soul Mates." The group, composed of Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, performs bossa nova versions of punk and new wave songs. Their self-titled album featured cover versions of songs by groups like XTC, The Clash, Joy Division and The Undertones.
Sejong Center is located near Gwanghwamun Subway Station Line 5, Exit 1 or 8. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 90,000 won for the May 21 performance. For the May 22-24 performances, the tickets range from 50,000 won to 120,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.
American trumpet player Chris Botti, British band Incognito, French bossa nova group Nouvelle Vague, as well as Korean jazz group Prelude and Korean singers Lee Hyun-woo, Woongsan and Lena Park are among the performers. The four-day event will be held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Gwanghwamun from May 21 to 24.
On May 21, the Korean Jazz-Pop Crossover Night will feature performances by jazz pianist Kim Kwang-min, singer Lena Park and actor-singer Lee Hyun-woo.
Kim, who studied in Berkeley and the New England Conservatory of Music, is known for “Koreanizing" jazz music. He has released five albums including “A Letter from the Earth" (1990), “Shadow of the Moon" (1993), and “Time Travel" (2007).
Park, also known as Park Jung-hyun, is considered to have one of the strongest voices in Korean pop. She shot to stardom with the release of her first album, “Piece," in 1998. Her music is not limited to R&B, but also includes elements of jazz, soul, funk and gospel.
Lee made his debut in the Korean music industry in 1991 with his album “Black Rainbow." His 4th album, “Freewill of my Heart," achieved mainstream success in 1997. He is also a popular actor, appearing in TV dramas such as “Attic Cat" and “Dalja's Spring." Romantic Jazz Night is on May 22, with renowned American trumpeter Chris Botti and special guest Woongsan.
Botti has released 10 albums, specializing in smooth and traditional jazz sounds. He has performed with musicians like Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, Andrea Boccelli, Rod Stewart, Sting, Michael Buble and Burt Bacharach. Last year, he released his album “Italia," a nod to his Italian heritage. It was nominated for the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Veteran jazz singer Woongsan, who has performed live for the past 12 years, is better known in Japan. She has released several albums in Japan and Korea, and performed concerts in both countries.
Groove to the beats of American jazz group The Crusaders and popular Korean group Prelude on Funky Groove Night on May 23.
The Crusaders became famous in the 1970's because of their unique mix of jazz, pop and soul. They have released more than 40 albums since forming in 1961. In 2003, founding members pianist Joe Sample, drummer Stix Hooper and saxophonist Wilton Felder revived the group and released their album “Rural Renewal."
Prelude is a popular Korean jazz group composed of Ko Hee-an playing the piano, Charles Lee playing the saxophone, Choi Jin-bae on bass, Richard Rho on the tenor saxophone and Abraham Lagrimas Jr. on drums. Their debut album, “Croissant," was a hit in Korea.
The festival ends on May 24 with Stylish Jazz Night featuring British acid jazz group Incognito and French bossa nova Nouvelle Vague.
Incognito is known as one of the prime movers of the British acid jazz movement. Composer, singer and guitarist Jean-Paul “Bluey" Maunick has led the group since their first album, “Jazz Funk," was released in 1981. Their latest album, “Bees + Things + Flowers," was released in 2006.
Korean fans may know Nouvelle Vague for the song “This is Not a Love Song," which was used in the TV drama “Soul Mates." The group, composed of Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, performs bossa nova versions of punk and new wave songs. Their self-titled album featured cover versions of songs by groups like XTC, The Clash, Joy Division and The Undertones.
Sejong Center is located near Gwanghwamun Subway Station Line 5, Exit 1 or 8. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 90,000 won for the May 21 performance. For the May 22-24 performances, the tickets range from 50,000 won to 120,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
