Helen Sung, Jazz Pianist and Composer
helen
sung
Pianist/Composer
helen@helensung.com
As Leader:
Helen Sung - Sungbird (after Albeniz) - click to enlarge
Purchase online:
CD BABY
Helen Sung - Sungbird
Helen Sung - Sungbird (after Albeniz)
Sunnyside

Personnel: w/Marcus Strickland, tenor & soprano saxophone; Reuben Rogers, bass; Nasheet Waits, drums; Samuel Torres, percussion

Acknowledging her classical roots in her 3rd album (her debut on Sunnyside Records!), pianist Helen Sung produces a fusion of jazz and classical music that is uncompromisingly unique, "a real winner," "leaving the listener wanting more." Read Sunnyside's press release about Sungbird (after Albeniz)!







Helen Sung - Helenistique (2006)
Fresh Sound New Talent

Personnel: Helen Sung, piano; Derrick Hodge, bass; Lewis Nash, drums
Cover photo by misterarmando design

Helenistique, Helen's remarkable follow-up to PUSH, finds her in a trio setting with the amazing drummer Lewis Nash and young bass phenom Derrick Hodge.

Piano great Benny Green writes of the recording—"I am certain that anyone... will readily appreciate the life-affirming joy, the unmistakable intelligence, and most significantly, the love and dedication which helen, derrick, and lewis have put into this beautiful set of music."

Read More Reviews »

Helen Sung - PUSH (2003)
Fresh Sound New Talent
Personnel: Helen Sung, piano; Richie Goods, bass; Brian Blade, drums; Marcus Strickland, saxophone; Jeffrey Haynes, percussion
Cover by Robert Morrison

Helen's debut CD as leader released by Fresh Sound New Talent Records. The original heavy album introduces a highly original artist in the making.






Online Only Recordings:

Blue Note
Live at the Blue Note:

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Willow Weep For Me (arr.'d by H.Sung)
Fast Forward

Personnel: Helen Sung, piano; Steve Wilson, alto/soprano saxophones; Dwayne Burno, bass; Donald Edwards, drums.




As a Support Player:

Metta Quintet
Subway Songs (2006)
Greg Tardy
The Truth (2005)
Clark Terry & The Young Titans of Jazz
Live at Marian's Jazzroom (2005)
Ester Andujar - Celebrating Cole Porter
Ester Andujar
Celebrating Cole Porter (2005)
Tom McIntosh - With Malice Toward None
Tom McIntosh
With Malice Toward None
IPO Recordings (2004)
Lonnie Plaxico - Melange
Lonnie Plaxico
Melange
Blue Note Records (2001)
Kristin Lomholt
To Bring Him Here
(Pianist & Co-producer, 2000)
Patrice Williamson - My Shining Hour
Patrice Williamson
My Shining Hour
(Pianist & Arranger, 1999)
Thelonious Monk Institute
Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at NEC
Volume One (1997)


» design by Ben Azzara | top-left photo by Jason A. Cina © 2004-2008

Press Quotes:

Helen Sung's Sungbird (after Albeniz)
"WOW! Very rarely has the combination of jazz and classical genres worked out...Pianist Helen Sung has done it right, intertwining solo piano works in the Romantic vein with mixtures of band pieces that imbibe influences from Coltrane to Jamal...I personally guarantee you will be as fascinated by this disc on the 20th listening as on the first. Find it now!
-George W. Harris, AAJLA/Jazzweekly
Helen Sung's Sungbird (after Albeniz)
"...On the quintet tracks, her supporting band, including Marcus Strickland (tenor and soprano saxophones), bassist Reuben Rogers, drummer Nasheet Waits and percussionist Samuel Torres, follow her muse and bring out the full potential of her catchy tunes. Clocking just under 43 minutes, Sung actually leaves the listener wanting more."
-Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Helen Sung's Helenistique
"Helenistique is among the year’s most exciting listens."
-Steve Greenlee, JazzTimes
Helen Sung's Helenistique
"...pianist tackles the standards and writes one herself."
-Tom Hull, Village Voice
Helen Sung's PUSH
"'Vivacity' is the word that keeps coming to mind as I listen to Ms. Sung's music. Her approach brims with life, solid compositions and fine playing... Sung has a way of keeping the listener on her/his toes..." (Read More »)
-Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
Helen Sung's PUSH
"On the impressive PUSH she's got a syncopated trio track that messes with the blues while flashing off in all sorts of directions. The pianist is makiing a name for herself by offering broad vistas while still accentuating particulars."
-Jim MacNie, Village Voice
Metta Quintet's Subway Songs
"...Helen Sung's piano skills have never been captured so vividly."
-Jim MacNie, Village Voice
Metta Quintet's Subway Songs
"Helen Sung is a strong, affirmative musician..."
-Robert R. Calder, All About Jazz
Greg Tardy's The Truth
" ...the striking Tardy ballad "Who Has Believed Our Message," a perfect for Sung's deft piano"
-Matthew Miller, All About Jazz
Greg Tardy's The Truth
"Sung shines strongly"
-Derek Taylor, Bagatallen.com
Tom McIntosh's With Malice Toward None
McIntosh: "I think she is the real find on this album -- the real essence of something new."
-Peter Keepnews, liner notes
Lonnie Plaxico's Melange
"Jazz fans who like to pick up 'the first recorded performance of...' will want to know about one Helen Sung...who is known for her fine playing..."
-Gerard Cox, All About Jazz
Lonnie Plaxico's Melange
"...newcomer Helen Sung (piano/electric piano) makes a contribution that will have you waiting eagerly for her first album. Sung displays her dexterity and tonal skills..."
-Maurice Bottomley, Pop Matters
Patrice Williamson's My Shining Hour
"...the true discovery here is (Helen) Sung."
-Jack Bower, All About Jazz
For Booking/Press Kit:
helen@helensung.com
Download Presskit.zip
Related Links:
Lewis Nash
Derrick Hodge
Brian Blade
Marcus Strickland
Lonnie Plaxico
Patrice Williamson
Steve Wilson