DongHwa was born on April 30, 1970 in Seoul, Korea. After earning a B.A. in Theology, he studied composing and arranging at the Seoul Jazz Academy. DongHwa came to the United States to attend Berklee College of Music, where he majored in Performance (Electric Bass) and, for four years, received the highest scholarship. During that time, he held many concerts of his own compositions and performed the challenging music of the Yellow Jackets and Pat Metheny in ensemble concerts at David Friend Hall in Boston.
DongHwa often returned to Korea, where he appeared on cable television shows that are famous stages for jazz performers. In 2000, he played with the fusion group Buddy at the Korea National Theater. He continued his studies at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts, majoring in Performance (Double Bass/Electric Bass), and once again received the highest scholarship; he earned his master's degree in Modern American Music in 2005.
DongHwa has studied with such legendary performers as Oscar Stagnaro, Hal Crook, Charlie Banacos, John Lockwood and Pascal Delachte. He has recorded more than 10 CDs as a member of various jazz, fusion and R&B bands. In 2004, DongHwa collaborated with such great musicians as George Garzone, Kenwood Dennard, Larry Finn, David Limina and Ben Schwendener. He regularly plays with jazz pianist Nobert Kail in Boston and New York. Since 2004, DongHwa has participated in more than 400 concerts and recording sessions in Boston and Korea.
DongHwa is going to teach as a music faculty in World Mission University in LA from January 2006.
His first CD of his own compositions - "White Day" - was released on the mFUSE label. World famous saxophonist George Garzone plays on all the songs. DongHwa has composed various tunes of fusion jazz, traditional jazz, ballad and funk. He pursues a genre between fusion jazz and pop that is easy for listeners to understand.
In 2001, DongHwa composed "22 Hours," which was inspired by the experience of driving to Chicago. Reflecting the emotions and ideas he encountered on the journey, "22 Hours" is an exciting and vigorous composition that blends changing rhythms, tempos and meters.
Next year, DongHwa's "Eternal Love," a sweet ballad played as a duo with piano and double bass, will be featured on a Korean soap opera.
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