Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kaypea]

Hi,

I asked my Dad what he wants for Christmas, and he said "Korean jazz cds". I asked if he meant some kind of Asian/jazz fusion or funky world music, but he just said, Koreans playing jazz. He didn't specify a genre.

Do we have any music snobs (I mean, enthusiasts) in the cafe? What is the jazz scene in Korea? Are there any must-listen to albums?

Stay cool, hepcats.

[Missihippi]

I'm not a jazz snob, but i enjoy the bar at Moonglow in Hongdae. The owner is kind of an older gentleman that speaks decent english and plays the piano there reguraly along with various guest mucisions. They sale CD's at the bar. here is the website: [url]moonglow.co.kr[/url]

[PCRamplified]

Winterplay maybe? They're pretty popular and I like them.

[oni]

Double Rainbow-letter from Rio
Some bossanova style jazz
A Korean friend gave it to me:)

[Ukon]

Second winterplay

[Kaypea]

Thanks, hepcats!

[Louis VI]

There's bossa nova (Sorri 소히), swing (Winterplay) and acid jazz (Roller Coaster) but not much bebop. (I won't even mention the smooth jazz artists even though there are a few supposedly good Koreans because, well, I hate that stuff.)

There is one worthy vocalist, the internationally respected Korean jazz artist, the up and coming Youn Sun Nah. Her Same Girl album is fantastic! (I prefer her French over her English, except for a couple of the jazz standards she does).

And if you can't get a hold of that, then Park Sung Yeon, the longtime owner of the Janus Jazz Club in Seoul, has a couple of albums, and she's pretty good, though more covers than originals.

There are tons of great Japanese jazz bands doing original stuff, like Soil & Pimp. But you want specifically Korean, eh? Beware: Korean jazz is often just pop music with a few token jazz elements (e.g., Clazziquai).

[Steelrails]

Ryu Bok Sung. He's a drummer and I saw him at Club Evan's. Get the DVD if you can because he's all about the live performance

He's in his 60s or 70s. First thing he does is get on stage, slam a beer, announces that he's still single, and then proceeds to tear the club up with some drumming (mostly bongos) and improvised percussion- tables, glasses, silverware, hands, heads, you name it all while interacting with the crowd. Definitely a character.

Other than that Winterplay, Roller Coaster, Bulldog Mansion, and I'm sure there are some others. From what I've heard Korea has a bit of a swing dance scene so you might find something like that.

[mimi belle]

I was going to say that roller coaster is not jazz...but then I saw their bio on last.fm. Acid Jazz?? What the heck?

Anyway, not too much to add to the what the others said, but I'll include some links. I'm actually a jazz fan myself but I prefer classic jazz, both instrumental and vocals.

I think the jazz scene is small, and it seems like most successful jazz artists have ties to other countries, mainly London, Tokyo & Paris. Winterplay for example, just signed with a Japanese company for distribution there and they were in London recently. Nah Youn Sun apparently lives partly in France and has charted there. (Europeans like her.)

Winterplay 윈터플레이
Gypsy Girl from Hot Summerplay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4nvJMzYt5w
Cha Cha from Hot Summerplay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyLep2IvJkA&feature=related
Who Are You? Bossa version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viEp-3DXHtQ&feature=related

Prelude 프렐류드
New album (their 5th) 5th Movement coming out in a few days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xmHVtejhOY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA7CZIG87DQ

Nah Youn Sun 나윤선 New Album is Same Girl
Breakfast in Baghdad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ebLK-l0jc&feature=related
Moondog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAsghOXweo8&feature=related

Woong San 웅산
vocalist - some Japanese songs too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB2eZNzcDqg

And when I put 재즈 (jazz) in the Soribada music search, a group called European Jazz Trio was the top hit that came up. They're not Korean. They're from the Netherlands, but looks like they played in Korea recently.
http://www.soribada.com/#/Music/Album/?TID=PA0095482
http://www.facebook.com/pages/European-Jazz-Trio/5924759970?v=wall