SOCK IT TO ME

posted by James Reel

    One of the most striking aspects of violinist Benny Kim is his socks. Although he eschews the traditional musician's formal tails, he does stick to sober black and white wear in concert. But he also seems to have taken the advice of men's fashion maven Alan Flusser: If a gentleman wishes to make a personal statement even in the most formal setting, the best place to do it is in that dull little expanse at the ankle.
    During yesterday's opening Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival concert, Benny clearly was wearing some riotously colorful socks, but not enough material was showing to make the pattern clear. After the concert, at a dinner for musicians and board members, my wife asked Benny to show her his socks. By then, he wasn't wearing any hosiery at all, but he admitted that for the day's concert he had chosen a Scooby-Doo motif. "Wednesday night," he promised, "it'll be the Tasmanian Devil!"