Biography
Helen Sung is an acclaimed American jazz pianist and composer, born and raised in Houston, Texas, to Chinese immigrant parents[1][2][5]. She began classical piano and violin lessons at age five, studying rigorously through her formative years and attending Houston’s prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts[2][4][9]. Initially intent on a career as a classical concert pianist, Sung pursued undergraduate and master’s degrees in classical piano performance at the University of Texas at Austin[1][3][4]. Her musical trajectory shifted dramatically during her final undergraduate year when a friend took her to a Harry Connick, Jr. concert; the experience of hearing jazz piano live was transformative, leading her to immerse herself in jazz studies alongside her classical training[3][4][8].
Sung’s dedication to jazz culminated in her acceptance to the inaugural class of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory, where she studied with and performed alongside jazz legends such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter[1][2][4]. Since then, she has established herself as a leading figure in contemporary jazz, known for her technical mastery, inventive compositions, and ability to bridge classical and jazz traditions[1][5]. Sung has released several albums as a leader, including PUSH (2003), Helenistique (2006), Sungbird (After Albeniz) (2007), and Anthem for a New Day (2014), the latter of which topped jazz radio charts and appeared on international best-of lists[4]. Beyond performing, Sung is an educator, holding faculty positions at Berklee College of Music and serving as a jazz coach at The Juilliard School[1][3]. She is also recognized for her advocacy and outreach, developing programs for underserved students and leading workshops worldwide[1][2].
Fun Facts
- Helen Sung’s first encounter with jazz was at a Harry Connick, Jr. concert during college, which completely changed her musical path[3][4][8].
- She was the pianist for Clark Terry’s last big band and played on his final two recordings, a significant honor in the jazz community[4].
- Sung’s album Anthem for a New Day (2014) not only topped jazz radio charts but also made the UK’s Best of 2014 Jazz Albums list and reached the top quadrant of Billboard’s Jazz Album chart[4].
- Despite growing up across the hall from the jazz department at her high school, she had no exposure to jazz until college due to her strict classical training[5].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Herbie Hancock - mentor during Thelonious Monk Institute residency (performances and tours) [late 1990s]
- Wayne Shorter - mentor during Thelonious Monk Institute residency (performances and tours) [late 1990s]
- Clark Terry - mentor and collaborator (pianist in Terry's last big band and on his final recordings) [2000s]
Key Collaborators
- Ron Carter - frequent collaborator in live performances and recordings (various concerts and projects) [2000s–present]
- Regina Carter - collaborator in live performances and recordings (various concerts and projects) [2000s–present]
- Terri Lyne Carrington - collaborator in Grammy-winning Mosaic Project (The Mosaic Project) [2010s]
- Slide Hampton - collaborator in live performances (various concerts) [2000s]
- Jon Faddis - collaborator in live performances (various concerts) [2000s]
- T.S. Monk - collaborator in live performances (various concerts) [2000s]
Artists Influenced
- Students at Berklee College of Music - taught as Associate Piano Professor (educational programs) [2011–present]
- Students at The Juilliard School - serves as jazz coach (educational programs) [2010s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Top Tracks
- Be Like You (This Sunrise Is Brutal)
- The Break Up Song (This Sunrise Is Brutal)
- big proverb (big proverb)
External Links
Tags: #jazz
Heard on WWOZ
Helen Sung has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 2025 | 08:52 | Armando`s Rhumbafrom Anthem For A New Day | The Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall |