Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Are they the lemmings]

Here in Japan, there is a strong jazz scene. How about in SK? Is is possible to go see live jazz in the bars of Seoul or Busan or wherever?

[endofthewor1d]

jazz certainly has a presence here. i can't account for the quality, but the locals like to throw the word around. i've been to one big jazz bar in hyehwa, and the only thing i can remember about it was the drinks were incredibly expensive. granted, it was kind of a ritzier (sp?) place than i usually frequent. we caught the tail end of a live performance there which seemed really cool, and i wished i had gotten there earlier. we were too broke at the time to be able to afford another drink, so we left before the band started up again.
another experience i remember was from about five years ago. there was a jazz bar in uijeongbu which is no longer there. the owner was this old korean guy who said he used to tour the states playing jazz. he was a cool old guy and bought us drinks. but i missed out on any of the music.
bottom line, i'm sure there's a really great jazz scene here somewhere, but you're likely to have to sort through a lot of crap to find it.

[Newbie]

Most of the time, "jazz" here mean Norah Jones Michael Buble, re-made Beatles tunes etc.

There is some good stuff out there, but hard to find (un my experience)

[Are they the lemmings]

No jazz bars where you're bound to find some live music on any given night? Not even in Seoul?

[endofthewor1d]

[eamo]

I've been to a few of the Jazz bars in Seoul. The scene here is a bit like it was in the UK in the '80s. Middle-class twits sipping expensive drinks and congratulating themselves on being sophistcated and urbane.

The music varied from Kenny G soundalikes (aaaarrgh!) to decent be-bop. But, unfortunately for me, the chances of hearing some really penetrating free-jazz are next to zero. If there's no honking and squealing I'm outta there!!!

[Are they the lemmings]

[azzwell]

chick corea and gary burton are playing here 10 march, wynton marsallis in September.
When i got my tix for chick it was almost sold out, 2000 seat auditorium. so there is somewhat of a scene here, but not much, and nothing outside seoul and pusan.

[Woland]

pm kitekid. She knows everything about jazz in Korea. Mention I sent ya.

[peppermint]

here you go:
http://www.eslcafe.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=22

Club names, maps and a little insider info on who's who in the jazz scene. the ones listed are in Seoul, for the moment

[freebeerandchicken]

There actually is a VERY small scene that caters to free jazz, experimental, noise, and everything in between.. Keep an eye on www.bulgasari.com although I see there are no shows scheduled right now. I haven't seen much evidence of any kind of thriving jazz scene in Seoul.. But some say that the jazz club "Once In A Blue Moon" in Apgujeong is the place to be. (I tried to get in once but got turned away because my shoes weren't fancy enough!) Also there's a jazz club in Hongdae right above Tool that supposedly has live music every night and it looks like a good place to check out.

[esetters21]

there are plenty of jazz bars where i live in seoul (apgujeong). i can't attest for the quality of music, as i have only been to one. it's not relly my thing.

[fruitcake]

there's also All That Jazz in Itaewon. Very good Korean band named "Wave" usually play there on Saturdays. Music is only 9-11 I believe.

Also, Club Evans in Hongdae has some good bands. That's next to Route 66 above the 7-11.

My impression with most Korean musicians is that they are "textbook players", where there's a "correct" way to play jazz (and any other styles they play). Many go to music school, where their teachers teach them what jazz is (in the very standard sense). Lacking in the soul department in my humble opinion. You won't see much that is terribly innovative.

[betchay]

in Apgujeong, there's a jazz bar called "once in a blue moon"... the place is always packed, even on weekdays...

[eamo]