Jazz Stars to Perform in Seoul in September
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
September will be a month to remember for jazz fans, as iconic performers George Benson, Al Jarreau and David Sanborn perform in Seoul.
The Jazz Masters Series kicks off Sept. 2 with Benson and Jarreau's concert at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, southern Seoul. On Sept. 3, Sanborn and S.M.V., a new group composed of bassists Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, take to the stage.
Benson and Jarreau have performed together in concerts in recent years. In 2006, they released an album ``Givin' It Up" which featured collaborations with Paul McCartney, Patti Austin, Herbie Hancock and Chris Botti. They won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, ``God Bless The Child," together with singer Jill Scott in 2007.
65-year-old Benson started his career as a jazz guitarist, playing with organist Jack McDuff. By the time he was 21, he had recorded his first album as a leader on ``The New Boss Guitar."
Critics have praised Benson's strong vocals and silky guitar skills. He is also known for ``scat-lead," wherein he vocalizes along with his guitar lead.
As an R&B singer, Benson has sold millions of albums and scored hit songs like ``Give Me The Night," ``Turn Your Love Around," and ``In Your Eyes." He has won several Grammy Awards including Record of the Year for ``This Masquerade."
Jarreau is a Grammy Award-winning singer known for his ``scat singing" or vocal jazz improvisation. As the son of a vicar, he began singing in a church choir. In 1967, he successfully teamed up with acoustic guitarist Julio Martinez, prompting him to decide to become a professional singer.
Jarreau later released his debut album, ``We Got By," to critical acclaim. In 1981, his album ``Breakin' Away," which includes ``We're in This Love Together," was a commercial and critical success.
Jarreau is also the only artist to have won Grammy Awards in three different categories: pop, jazz and R&B for songs like ``Look to the Rainbow," ``All Fly Home" and ``Heaven And Earth."
Sanborn is a renowned alto saxophonist, whose music combines ``jazz, instrumental pop and R&B." The 62-year-old artist suffered from polio when he was child, and started playing the saxophone upon his doctor's advice to strengthen his chest muscles. He started performing with other blues musicians when he was only 14.
Sanborn released his first solo album ``Taking Off" in 1975. He has performed with numerous artists like Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Billy Joel. He has won Grammy awards for his albums ``Voyeur" ``Double Vision" and ``Close Up."
S.M.V., which stands for the initials of Clarke, Miller and Wooten's first names, are well-known bassists in their own right. The three artists are collaborating on an album ``Thunder," scheduled to be released in August. They are expected to give an exciting showcase of their new tunes in Seoul.
Clarke began his jazz career in 1971, but it was his collaboration with pianist Chick Corea in the jazz-fusion band Return to Forever that propelled him to the forefront of the scene. He is credited with starting the ``bass revolution" in the 1970s, with the crossover hit ``Lopsy Lu."
Miller has worked under jazz legend Miles Davis, and produced three of Davis' albums including ``Tutu." In 2001, he won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz album for ``M2 (M Squared)" in 2001.
Wooten is regarded as an influential bassist in the jazz world, both as a solo artist and member of the Bela Fleck & The Flecktones. He released a solo album ``A Show of Hands" in 1996.
Tickets for Benson and Jarreau's show on Sept. 2 are 70,000 won to 150,000 won. Tickets for Sanborn and S.M.V.'s show on Sept. 3 are 60,000 won to 120,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3444-9969.