James Brown, Welcome to Korea

“We are rooted in Ray Charles, and the source of our music comes from James Brown,” say many successful black musicians, including Mary J. Blige, a female singer who topped the Billboard charts with her seventh album, and R. Kelly, who has sold 10 million albums in the U.S. alone.

The music of the “fathers” of black music, Ray Charles and James Brown, will soon be displayed on the Korean stage in the form of a tour performance in Korea, and a subtle memorial show.

The Soul of a 73 Year-Old, James Brown-

Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker and Billie Jean dance steps took the world by storm, but his favorite dances in childhood were the up tempo steps of James Brown. Another black star Usher, who held the No. 1 spot for 12 weeks with “Yeah” in 2004, also was quoted as saying, “My idol is James Brown.”

Brown, known as the “Godfather of Soul and the Founding Father of Black Funk,” will make his debut performance in Korea at 8:00 p.m. on February 24 in Jamsil Stadium.

One of his hit songs well known in Korea is “I Feel Good,” which was used in a Korean commercial. He made his debut in 1956 with “Please, Please, Please” and made a hit with “Try Me,” and became popular for his scream-out singing style and his dance moves.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and was the recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992, illustrating his position in the U.S. music community.

In his upcoming performance, he is expected to put on a flashy show that includes his songs “Get Up” and “Make It Funky.” This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of his official music career, but the 73- year-old man is still up to the task of performing dance numbers in his signature bell-bottom pants.

For more information, please call 02-3141-4956.

A Tribute to Ray Charles-

Ray Charles, the visually impaired singer, passed away at the age of 73 in June 2004, but his work lives on. John Scofield (55), one of the industry’s top guitarists, along with Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell, will perform in “John Scofield Plays the Music of Ray Charles” at 8:00 p.m. on March 3 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

This show commemorates John Scofield’s Ray Charles tribute album released last June titled, “That’s What I Say: John Scofield Plays the Music of Ray Charles.” He will play Charles’ hit songs, such as “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Hit the Road Jack” on guitar.

The performance will include additional events, such as a performance by harmonica player Jeon Jae-deok and John Scofield’s “guitar clinic.”

For more information, please call 02-563-7110.

bsism@donga.com