Helenistique
© Copyright-Fresh Sound Records
(758661478828)
Record Label: Fresh Sound New Talent
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Pianist Helen Sung is establishing herself as a remarkable young artist. Her playing has been called "marvelously imaginative," "astonishing"; and 'Helenistique' (her 2nd CD on Fresh Sound Records) is sure to build on the success of her debut CD 'PUSH' (2003).
A graduate of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at New England Conservatory, Sung studied with the jazz greats - Ron Carter, Clark Terry, Barry Harris, Kenny Barron, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, Jackie McLean...to name a few!
Presently based in New York City, Helen maintains a busy schedule of performing, touring, and recording, and has worked with such jazz luminaries as Clark Terry, Regina Carter, Steve Turre, and legendary saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter.
"Helenistique" finds her in the timeless jazz piano trio setting, and the selections are mostly jazz standards (except for the cheeky original H*Town), but that's just the beginning of the story! Sung writes in the liner notes:
"I've always wanted to record a CD of jazz standards - I enjoy the challenge of making a standard "mine" and here are
some of my favorites...now it is a joy to share it with you - we hope you enjoy our story, we hope you enjoy our song."
Join Helen, the great drummer Lewis Nash, and young phenom bassist Derrick Hodge as they perform "refreshingly original" takes on some of jazz's most beloved songs - Rodgers & Hart's "Lover" and "Where or When"; Ann Ronell's "Willow Weep for Me"; Duke Ellington's "Cottontail"; and many more.
And visit www.helensung.com for more stories!
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Yummy
author: Anne Ehrlich
Helen Sung has amazing talent; this CD is proof.
author: Chris Kidwell
Helenistique is an impressive second effort. All the innovation and finesse of Push, but with refreshing new creativity.
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"...excellent, high octane release."
author: Owen McNally - Hartford Courant
Helen Sung, a pianist with classical chops and jazz street smarts, is on a roll this year, completing her first international tour as a band leader and now riding the wave of this excellent, high-octane release.
Although Sung was a semifinalist in the 1999 Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano competition and has worked for such renowned band leaders as Clark Terry, T.S. Monk and Regina Carter, she hasn't yet received the recognition she merits for her dazzling playing.
Right from the first track - an original dedicated to her hometown of Houston - Sung's singing lines and bright, crisp sound come shining through as fleet and fine as Phineas Newborn.
Whatever tune she plays, whether Thelonious Monk's "Bye Ya" or Joe Henderson's "Black Narcissus," becomes her own thing. Rodgers and Hart's "Lover" glides as elegantly as a classic Fred and Ginger waltz before rocketing into 4/4. Prince's "Alphabet Street" dances to a funky backbeat, then surges into hard-swinging jazz.
Sung's bouquet of evergreens ranges from a lover's heartfelt reading of "Sweet and Lovely" to a finger-popping, foot-stomping romp through "Carolina Shout," the venerable James P. Johnson's rollicking tour de force.
Sung's sidemen, Lewis Nash, a brilliant, empathetic drummer; and Derrick Hodge, a phenomenal young bassist, are totally in sync with their leader's imaginative improvisations and arrangements.
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"...once this...is heard for the first time, she will convert the listener to an
author: Dick Bogle - Skanner Newspapers
This young pianist studied with some of the masters, including Ron Carter, Clark Terry, Barry Harris and Jackie McLean.
Helen Sung, heard on this release with bassist Derrick Hodge and drummer Lewis Nash, is creative and has a unique sound. Because of her sheer artistry, once this relative unknown is heard for the first time, she will convert the listener to an unabashed fan.
Her individualistic style is captured on tunes like "Lover," "Sweet and Lovely," "Cotton Tail," "Bye Ya," "Willow Weep for Me" and more.
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