A Soul Draped in Jazz: Jang Sa-ik Colors Late Autumn with ‘Durumagi Wears Jazz’

[Financial News] The renowned vocalist Jang Sa-ik, whose artistry carries the DNA of jazz, delivered an extraordinary synergy as he approached his 80th year, merging his signature style with authentic jazz melodies.
Wearing a durumagi, his rendition of the iconic song ‘Train Goes’ flowed with a jazz rhythm as if it had always belonged to the genre. Meanwhile, dressed in a suit and bow tie, his performance of ‘Daejeon Blues’ instantly transformed the stage into a jazz café.
On the 19th, the ‘Jang Sa-ik & The Toronto Jazz Orchestra: Durumagi Wears Jazz’ concert was held to a full house at Mapo Art Center in Seoul. Marking his 30th anniversary, Jang Sa-ik’s first collaboration with the Canadian 18-piece big band, The Toronto Jazz Orchestra, brought a new dimension to the stage.

The partnership between Jang Sa-ik and The Toronto Jazz Orchestra began with joint recordings in Canada during 2018 and 2019. At that time, 15 of Jang Sa-ik’s signature songs were newly arranged for big band, but the pandemic forced the cancellation of their live performances. After a six-year wait, their dream finally came to fruition on stage.
This collaboration was led by music director and jazz guitarist Jae-Yeol Jung, who has worked with Jang Sa-ik for over 20 years.
Reflecting on the project, Jung previously remarked, “Jang Sa-ik’s music, sung in his own unique rhythm, is inherently jazz. The energy when the powerful sound of brass meets his soulful voice was indescribable. Local staff in Canada even described his voice as ‘epic.’”
For this concert, Jang Sa-ik alternated between a durumagi and a suit, creating a stage that united cultures and languages through music. The Korean melodies of the Haegeum and the depth of his seasoned voice blended with the free-flowing big band sound, producing a rich musical wave.
Cutting through the lush and dynamic sound of the big band, the lyrics from ‘Father’—“Bringing my father home / The night I left / Child! Open the door”—left a powerful impression of Jang Sa-ik’s uniquely Korean sensibility. In his first-ever attempt at an English song, ‘Autumn Leaves,’ even his unpolished pronunciation resonated with soulful emotion, bathing the late autumn afternoon in poignant sentiment.
While previous concerts moved audiences with the drama of Jang Sa-ik’s voice alone, this performance—featuring a Haegeum player, a four-member choir, and an 18-piece big band—showcased a new musical world realized through the ‘harmony of sound.’
Nevertheless, the most enthusiastic audience response came when he performed his signature piece ‘Wild Rose.’ From the very beginning, the crowd gave standing ovations, to which Jang Sa-ik responded with a warm smile, saying, “You don’t have to stand up so soon.”
Speaking about the allure of jazz, Jang Sa-ik shared a new dream: “If I sing one jazz song a year, maybe in ten years, I could become a jazz singer with ten songs.”
Following its Seoul debut, the ‘Durumagi Wears Jazz’ concert will continue on the 21st at Cheonma Art Center in Daegu, the 23rd at Ansan Culture & Arts Center in Gyeonggi, and the 25th at Busan Cinema Center Roof Theater.

jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-a Reporter