Biography
Posted on 05/09/2007 02:24 pm by Yoon
Yoon Sun Choi appeared on the New York City's jazz scene in 2000 and since then has received high acclaim for her performances and projects from the press and her musical peers. Yoon's currently involved with numerous projects that are united by a focus on improvisation, but in their diversity also reflect her taste for variety and challenge. Her latest recording "Imagination: The Music of Joe Raposo" with long time duo partner, pianist Jacob Sacks was chosen as one of All About Jazz-New York's best vocal release and best tribute release of 2008. The duo's original interpretations of the American composer Joe Raposo demonstrate the many sides of Yoon's musical personality from free improvisation to bluesy ballads to traditional swing with an avant garde flare.
Currently one of Yoon's main focuses is her E-String Band which she has just completed recording a live record which will be release in the up coming year.
One of the highlights for the E-String Band was performing at the 2007 New York City's Ukefest, the annual ukulele festival.
Yoon has performed all over New York City, the U.S. and Canada. Her New York credits include, The Blue Note, Birdland, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola (Jazz at Lincoln Center), The Jazz Gallery, The 55 Bar and Cornelia Street Cafe. She has performed at the Guelph Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival and the Vancouver Jazz Society. She has played with nationally and internationally recognized musicians such as Cameron Brown, Steve Coleman, Mark Dresser, Mat Maneri, Ben Monder, D.D. Jackson, Deidre Rodman, Jacob Sacks, Dan Weiss, Kenny Werner, Kenny Wheeler and Matt Wilson.
Raised just outside of Toronto, Yoon Choi studied classical piano and composition at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where she received her first degree. Yoon spent a semester at the Berklee College of Music before deciding to make the leap into jazz. She went on to receive her second degree in jazz performance in voice at the University of Toronto.
In 1999 Yoon was awarded an Ontario Arts Council grant to participate at the Banff Centre for the Arts Jazz Workshop with Kenny Werner. In 2000 Yoon was once again awarded an Ontario Arts Council grants and in 2004 Yoon was awarded a Canada Council for the Arts Professional Musicians Grant to continue her work in New York City.
In 2002, Yoon recorded her debut CD with duo partner Jacob Sacks. Yoon’s second recording was with the collective quintet 4inObjects. Both these recordings received wonderful reviews. Yoon and Jacob will be releasing their new CD this coming fall.
One of Yoon’s unique performance experiences was being a principle performer in D.D. Jackson’s Jazz Opera, Quebecite which debuted at the 10th anniversary of the Guelph Jazz Festival in 2003.
In January 2004, Yoon was selected by the JZVOC organization to perform at New York City’s Birdland with pianist Jacob Sacks, bassist Cameron Brown and drummer Billy Drummond as part of “An Evening of Solo Vocal Jazz” at the IAJE 2004 confererence.
Yoon is a performer, composer and educator.