Na Yoon-sun
Na Yoon-sun | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Na Yoon-sun (나윤선) |
Born |
Seoul, South Korea | August 28, 1969
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels | ACT |
Website |
www |
Na Yoon-sun | |
Hangul | 나윤선 |
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Revised Romanization | Na Yun-seon |
McCune–Reischauer | Na Yunsŏn |
Na Yoon-sun, also Youn Sun Nah (Korean: 나윤선; born August 28, 1969) is a South Korean jazz singer.[1]
Biography
Na Yoon-sun was born in August 28, 1969, in Seoul. She was born to musical parents: her father, Na Young-soo (나영수), is a conductor in Korea and her mother, Kim Mi-jung (김미정), is a musical actress. She studied French literature at Konkuk University in Korea. While she was working for a fashion company, she was scouted by Kim Min-gi (김민기), who was the president of the Hakchon Theater Company (극단 학전). There, she made her debut in a musical called Subway Line 1 (지하철 1호선).
In 1995, she decided to go to Paris to study Jazz and chanson. There, she went to some of the oldest jazz schools, including CIM Jazz School, National Music Institute of Beauvais, Nadia and Lili Boulanger Conservatory at the same time. After graduating, she taught students at CIM Jazz School from 2000 to 2001. She formed her own quintet, called YSN 5tet, and performed at various jazz clubs, theaters, festivals, and bars in France. Also in 2001 she released her debut album Reflet. But her mostly self-composed 2002 album Light for the people was her introduction to wide distribution. She recorded the follow-up Down by love with guitarist Olivier Ode. With her 2004 release So I am, she gained wide popularity in Europe.
In 2007, she ventured more into pop with Memory Lane. In 2008, she signed a contract with German label ACT, and in 2009, was acknowledged for her musical contributions in France, by receiving Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Her 2010 album Same Girl was considered by many critics to be her best. In 2011, she gave about 180 performances in more than thirteen countries. In 2011, this rose to about 200 performances in more than twenty-five countries in 2012. [2] [3] [4] [5] In 2013 she released Lento. Her albums are currently released in various countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Swiss, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia, simultaneously.
Influence
Having been exposed to many kinds of music by her parents, Na decided to study and sing jazz after she performed as an actress in the Korean comedy musical Subway Line 1 (지하철 1호선). While she was seeking more ways to express herself musically, one of her musician friends suggested she study jazz.
Vocal style
Unlike other jazz vocalists, she was not influenced by any historical jazz musicians, because she did not have any knowledge of jazz music until her late start as a singer. Even though she began studying jazz history in Paris, it was already after she had created her own vocal style. Rather, she sang various genres of music from classical music to rock music by herself before she headed to Paris to study jazz. This is why her vocal style does not resemble or belong to any particular jazz musicians. She is able to digest any kind of music into her unique vocal style. Having a very wide range of pitch, she has a clear, refreshing, yet deep tone. She is best known for sensitive, sentimental and rich expression as well.
Discography
Albums
Album title and details | Peak chart positions [6] |
Tracks |
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Reflet
|
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Light For The People
|
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Down By Love
|
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So I Am...
Date released: October 19, 2004 |
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Memory Lane
|
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Voyage
|
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Same Girl
|
FR #38 BEL (Wa) #89 |
|
Lento
|
FR #14 BEL (Vl) #145 BEL (Wa) 47 SUI #70 |
|
Singles
- "My Favorite Things" (August 10, 2010)
Other contributions
Buddha Bar Volume 5 features a song named "Road" created by Refractory (a French music group) and sung by Na Yoon-sun, under the name "Youn Sun Nah".
She appears on multiple songs of the 2011 release "Songs of Freedom" by French guitarist Nguyên Lê.
Venues
- Jazz at Lincoln Center (New York)
- International Pori Jazz Festival (Finland)
- Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada)
- TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Canada)
- Parc Floral de Paris (France)
- Marciac Jazz Festival (France)
- Mai Jazz Festival (Norway)
- Cully Jazz Festival (Switzerland)
- Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia)
- Penang Island Jazz Festival (Malaysia)
- Jarasum International Jazz Festival (South Korea)
- Theatre du Chatelet
Awards
- Chanson competition (French Cultural Center, South Korea), Winner (1989)
- Festival de Jazz de Montmartre (France), Second prize (1998)
- France St-Maur Jazz (France), Winner (1998)
- Concours national de jazz de la Défense (France), Special Jury Prize (1999)
- This year's jazz singer award (South Korea), Winner (2000)
- The 1st Korea Pop Music Awards for Best Crossover (2004)
- Antibes ‘Jazz a Juan’, Winner (2005)
- Today's popular music Awards Young Artist Award, Winner (2005)
- The 5th Korea Pop Music Awards for Best Jass&Crossover
- 6th Korea Best Pop Music Jazz Album Award (2009)
- Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2009)
- BMW Welt Jazz Award, Second prize (2010)
- The 8th Korea Best Pop Music Jazz Crossover Jazz Album, Winner (2011)
- Eco-Jazz foreign female artists of the year, Winner (2011)
- The 3rd Pop Culture Awards Prime Minister's commendation (2012)
References
- ↑ Nate People Information
- ↑ http://people.search.naver.com/search.naver?sm=tab_txc&where=people_profile&ie=utf8&query=%EB%82%98%EC%9C%A4%EC%84%A0&os=161066
- ↑ http://storyadict.blog.me/50165888462
- ↑ http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=262&aid=0000006488
- ↑ http://neoissue5.blog.me/110102311002
- ↑ Lescharts.com Youn Sun Nah discography
- ↑ A. http://leyjun.tistory.com/48
- ↑ B. http://music.naver.com/promotion/specialContent.nhn?articleId=900