Patricia Kaas, an internationally known French pop and jazz fusion singer who has sold more than 16 million records worldwide, is in Korea to perform her tribute to legendary French singer Edith Piaf.

“Kaas Chante Piaf,” meaning “Kaas Sings Piaf,” is the title of her new worldwide tour focusing on some of Piaf’s most iconic titles. The show was created in commemoration of Piaf’s contribution to the history of French popular music.

“Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Piaf’s death, so I wish to honor her memory,” Kaas said at a press conference in Seoul on Friday.

Piaf was famous for singing songs that reflected her life, including heartache, death and her struggles with drug and alcohol abuse. The singer died of liver cancer in 1963, at 47, three years before Kaas was born. However, despite the fact that Kaas did not live during the era of Piaf, her legend as a cultural icon still had a significant impact on Kaas’ life as an artist.

“When I first starting singing, I still recognized the importance and the value of Edith Piaf’s songs because she was considered a national singer of France,” she said. “I believe that people should know the works of Piaf and that they should experience the emotions of her songs first hand.”

The “Kaas Chante Piaf” world tour will take Kass to 45 countries, paying tribute of the legacy of the beloved French chanteuse. Kaas has also released an album featuring her versions of 15 classic Piaf hits, including “La Vie En Rose,” which received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

“This is a huge project,” she said. “I’m not here to copy Piaf. I just want people to become inspired by her work.”

Kaas performed the first show of her two-day Seoul event Sunday night and will perform her final show at 8 p.m., Monday at Sejong Center.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)