Enjoy groovy tunes at Seoul Jazz Fest
By Han Sang-hee
Staff reporter
Groove to jazz tunes at the fourth Seoul Jazz Festival running from May 11 to 15.
The festival is in its fourth year, and continues to offer Seoulites sophisticated melodies by top artists from both here and abroad.
The event will be held at two different venues ― the Grand Theater at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul and the Olympic Hall at Olympic Park, southern Seoul.
The festival begins with ``Lyrical & Romantic Night’’ on May 11, with singer-songwriter and film music producer Jung Jae-hyung and Dutch singer-songwriter Wouter Hamel performing. The two artists will not only play their signature music, but also introduce some
new tunes.
Jung, who is planning to release his new album soon, will return to the stage to present his new numbers prior to their official release. According to organizers, the 38-year-old singer is expected to deliver beautiful tunes featuring love, life and sorrow.
Hamel, who visited Korea for the first time last year, is expected to wow fans once more with his romantic tunes and charming voice. The 32-year-old singer, also known as one of the hottest ``it’’ guys in the jazz world, will offer a special treat for the local audience, as he is planning to release some of his new songs in his upcoming album for the first time here in Seoul. Sweet Sorrow will appear as his special guest.
The following day will be a treat for R&B
lovers, for singer-songwriter Eric Benet will grace the stage at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts under the theme ``New Soul Night.’’ Last year was also the first time the 39-year-old performed in Korea and organizers explained that Benet decided to return and participate in the festival despite his busy schedule and preparing for his new album.
May 14 will be the night of ``Stylish Jazz,’’ with performers including United Kingdom’s bossa nova band Matt Bianco and Norwegian band D’Sound, taking the stage at Olympic Park.
Matt Bianco started performing in 1982 with the album ``Whose Side Are You On?’’ and has been performing around Europe participating in various events and jazz festivals ever since. Although this is the first
time for the band to appear at the Seoul Jazz Festival, both organizers and fans alike are expecting a breath of fresh air.
D’Sound already has a firm fan base here, thanks to its funky and sophisticated sounds and stage presence, and the duo is back to surprise fans with a bit more. Formed in 1997 with debut album ``Spice of Life,’’ they have worked on various genres, such as acid jazz and pop, creating their own distinctive melodies.
The final day of the festival, May 15, will highlight Latin Jazz as Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes will wrap up the festival with some of his famous works. The legendary Latin musician, who has released 35 albums and worked with pop stars including Black Eyed Peas and Justin Timberlake, will perform with three vocalists, a rapper and a seven member band. In 2005, he released ``Timeless’’ successfully fusing Brazil music and hip hop and is planning to release a new album this May.
Lucid Fall, a popular Korean singer-songwriter, will also participate by adding some of his works to the ``Latin Jazz Night.’’ A big fan of Brazilian music, the 34-year-old tasted success with his album ``Les Miserables’’ late last year. He returns to the stage with his delicate ballads and Latin tunes.
Along with Mendes and Lucid Fall, pop/jazz band Pudditorium and guitar prodigy Jung Sung-ha will also join artists and the audience can relish jazzy nights to finally welcome spring.
Tickets for the performances range from 55,000 won to 99,000 won. For more information, visit www.privatecurve.com or call (02) 563-0595. For English service, email info@privatecurve.com.