Jazz critic Nam Moo-sung to meet fans at jazz club for 'Seeing Jazz' talk concert

Jazz critic Nam Moo-sung is set to engage with audiences not in a lecture hall, but within the intimate setting of a jazz club. He will host a talk concert, "Seeing Jazz," on July 26 at 5 p.m. at Cotton Club in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

The event is designed to be a departure from traditional lectures, fostering a space where jazz enthusiasts and newcomers can freely exchange questions and opinions. The core theme is to deepen understanding by "seeing" the principles and structure of jazz, rather than just listening.

Nam, who has been active in the jazz scene for over 30 years, noted that he often receives questions like, "Is this music still jazz?" as contemporary jazz evolves. He plans to discuss how jazz has transformed over time and explore the essential elements that define it, such as improvisation, rhythm, and the interaction between musicians.

“

Knowing jazz is not about listening more, but about being able to see it.

Nam is a well-known figure in the Korean jazz community, having founded the first Korean jazz monthly magazine, Monk Monk (now MM Jazz), in 1997. He has also written the jazz primer "Jazz It Up" and directed the documentary "Bravo! Jazz Life." He previously organized a "Jazz Concert with Commentary" series across 13 cities from 2003 to 2004.

Cotton Club organized this event with the intention of creating an informal communication platform, similar to post-screening Q&A sessions with film directors. The aim is to provide an accessible and engaging experience for all attendees, regardless of their prior knowledge of jazz.

“

It will be a meaningful time for both aficionados and beginners.