With just under a year to go until the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the 2017 PyeongChang Winter Music Festival, a combination of jazz, classical and traditional Korean music, was held at the Alpensia Concert Hall in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, alongside some of the test events going on for the Olympics in Pyeongchang and Gangneung.

The music festival on Feb. 17 consisted of two acts. Act 1 was performed by the Woonsan Band, led by jazz vocalist Woongsan. In Act 2, the thick and deep melodies of the MONK'estra jazz band, led by pianist John Beasley, dissolved the winter night of Pyeongchang.

One of the biggest hits in the first act was the song “Beautiful Arirang” by the Woongsan Band, the last track of Woongsan's 20th anniversary album "Jazz Is My Life." The song, beginning with the heavy rhythm of the contrabass, was combined with the unique and sweet tones of Woongsan, which put the Korean traditional rhythm of the song "Arirang" to a jazz melody. In particular, at the end of the song, the beautiful melody of the song "Arirang" led the audience to sing along with her in the chorus, filling the Alpensia Concert Hall in Pyeongchang.





In the second act, U.S. pianist and jazz master John Beasley came to the stage. He played the piano and synthesizer freely and showed off his reinterpretation of Thelonious Monk's music with his MONK'estra band. Also, he was in communion with the audience through his improvisational music that goes beyond regular jazz and classical genres.





John Beasley, who arranged the beautiful version of "Arirang" adapted by Woongsan, said, "I think the Olympics is something where the differences and resemblances are put together consciously,” and that, "The PyeongChang Winter Music Festival will successfully kick off next year because music is a global language, like the Olympics. I would like to participate in this concert again next year, as well." He said that there was great harmony between the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the PyeongChang Winter Music Festival.

The 2017 PyeongChang Winter Music Festival, its second year this year, is scheduled for its third year in Pyeongchang depending on the Olympic schedule next year.

By Son Gina
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: PRM-idealab
ginason@korea.kr