Brian McKnight to Return in April
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
R&B singer Brian McKnight will return to Seoul to serenade fans with his romantic ballads such as ``One Last Cry," ``Back at One" and ``Shoulda Woulda Coulda'' in April.
The ``McKnight at Night'' concert will be staged April 1 at the Jamsil Gymnasium, Jamsil, southern Seoul. McKnight is a favorite among Korean fans, having held concerts here in the past few years.
The 40-year-old American singer-songwriter is known for his smooth voice and sophisticated R&B tunes. He has released 11 albums, of which seven have gone platinum, and has sold over 20 million copies around the world. McKnight can also play nine instruments, including the piano, guitar, drums, and tuba.
In 1992, McKnight made his debut with a self-titled album, followed by ``I Remember You'' in 1995. ``Love Is,'' his duet with Vanessa L. Williams, became a hit and was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration at the 1994 Grammys.
McKnight's solo breakthrough came with ``Anytime,'' released in 1997, selling over two million copies and resulting in a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Performance.
McKnight came out with another album, ``Back at One,'' in 1999, selling over three million copies. It was nominated for Best R&B album at the 2000 Grammy Awards. His subsequent albums have also earned him nominations for Grammys, giving him a total of 16 nominations throughout his career. He holds the record for having the most number of Grammy nominations without winning.
McKnight has also collaborated with a diverse array of musicians such as Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, Quincy Jones, Mariah Carey and Josh Groban.
In recent years, McKnight has expanded his resume to include late-night television talk show host, radio show host, ``Celebrity Apprentice'' contestant and Broadway actor (he played Billy Flynn in ``Chicago'' in 2007). He has also received American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAAC Image and Blockbuster Awards, and was the Billboard Songwriter of the Year.
Last October, McKnight released ``Evolution of a Man,'' offering more of the seductive and romantic ballads that has made him popular throughout the years. The album includes the first single ``What I've Been Waiting For,'' plus duets with Stevie Wonder on ``Without You'' and with Jill Scott on ``More Than Just a Thing.''
Tickets for McKnight's concert in Seoul range from 50,000 to 110,000 won. For English bookings, visit ticket.interpark.com/global.