Jazz singer, diplomat’s husband to solo in Seoul

Tim Strong finally gets a chance to prove himself in his own profession, jazz singer. Since he came to Seoul last December with his family, he has been spotlighted more by the Korean media as the husband of New Zealand Ambassador Jane Coombs than as a jazz musician.
Strong had given several small performances at charity events and New Zealand embassy events, but today will be the first time he holds a solo concert in Seoul. The concert starts at 8 p.m. this evening at the Theater Yong of the National Museum of Korea.
Because he has gone to wherever his wife was posted after New York, where they met in 1989, Strong has previously performed in Russia, Australia and New Zealand as a professional jazz singer. He has released three albums since 1993.
Strong, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, worked in New York for 17 years as a jazz vocalist. He has performed with jazz drummer Grady Tate; jazz flutist Herbie Mann; jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan; jazz saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman; and Harold Wheeler, the music conductor for the 76th Academy Awards, to name just a few.
Strong previously told the Joong-Ang Daily that he prefers songs that tell stories, rather than just scatting, so he can take the audience on a journey with him.
American baritone saxophonist Howard Johnson and percussionist Bob Braye, and Korean pianist Bae Jang-eun and bassist Choi Eun-chang will appear with Strong today.

by Park Sung-ha

The nearest subway station to the Theater Yong is Ichon, line No. 4, exit 2. Ticket prices rage from 30,000 won ($32) to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 888-2698 or visit www.ticketlink.co.kr or www.interpark.com.