Yeon 연 by Lee Wonju_Jamon Maple 제이먼메이플 for K-gagok SuperStar

Описание: Submitted for K-Gagok Superstar

Name: Jamon Maple

Nationality: United States of America

Age: 37 yrs old

Motivation for applying: I absolutely love Korean music, and I simply hope to have a chance to showcase my humble talent to the South Korean public as a way to express that music is a universal language. Also, Korean art songs are gorgeous and more people need to hear and perform them around the world, so I'm hoping to have the chance to expose more people to Korean Art Songs.

Connection to Korea: My first connection was through my friend, Sangyoon Lee. I met him in NYC. We became great friends, as we both had such a deep love and passion for music. So, naturally, when he introduced me to "Wildflower" by Park Hyo Shin, I fell in love with Korean music. It reminded me of my roots in music, growing up singing in church and listening to RnB, Gospel and Jazz.

But I also believe that I have a connection to "Han". Han is a Korean term birthed out of pain and struggle, and in my culture (African-American) I can relate to this pain from my ancestors who were enslaved and their descendants, many of whom face injustices to this day, in America and abroad. Han is manifested in our African American Spirituals.

So, I believe my connection to Korea is much deeper than most would imagine, as I carry Han in my voice and musical interpretations. Some say I must have been Korean in a past life… and I tend to agree.

Thank you for creating such a wonderful competition. I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to share my gift and I sincerely hope you enjoy the video.