Helen Sung Trio

Fri Feb 6 at 7:00pm

New York, NY

Event Info

Helen Sung is an acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, and a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow. A native of Houston, Texas, and graduate of its High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), she eschewed her classical piano upbringing after a jazz epiphany during undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Helen went on to become part of the inaugural class of the Thelonious Monk Institute (now the Herbie Hancock Institute) at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her newest album Quartet+ (Sunnyside Records), garnered a 4.5 star DownBeat review and inclusion in its Best of 2021 Albums list, and a JazzTimes cover story (January 2022 issue), while previous releases Sung With Words (Stricker Street), a collaborative project with renowned poet Dana Gioia, and Anthem For A New Day (Concord Jazz) topped the jazz charts. In addition to her own band, Helen has performed with such luminaries as the late Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Regina Carter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cecile McLorin Salvant, and the Mingus Big Band. Recent activities of note include Re-Orientation: Asian American Artists Out Loud (made possible by a Chamber Music America Digital Residency grant): provoked by anti-Asian violence, Helen teamed her quartet with a poet, a hip-hop artist/rapper, and an installation artist in a series of interdisciplinary events to celebrate the range and diversity of Asian American artistry. Helens 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship is being applied toward a mutli-movement composition for big band; one of the movements, Waynes World, won the 2022 BMI Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize. Helen has served on the jazz faculties of the Berklee College of Music and the Juilliard School. She is currently visiting faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and an Associate Professor at Columbia University, where she also was the inaugural jazz artist-in-residence at its Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute exploring the intersection of jazz and neuroscience. Helen is a Steinway Artist.

Fri - February 6, 2026 • 7:00 PMTickets

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About Helen Sung

Helen Sung is an American jazz pianist. She is a native of Houston, Texas. Her musical life began with classical piano and violin. She attended Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and went on to receive undergraduate and master's degrees in classical piano performance at the University of Texas at Austin. She first heard jazz music during that time and eventually switched her focus. She went on to graduate from Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance. Read more on Last.fm

Venue

315 West 44th Street, New York, NY

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Helen Sung

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Frequently Asked Questions

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When did Birdland close?: Birdland has a storied history with periods of closure and reopening. The original Birdland Jazz Club closed its doors in 1965 due to declining attendance and financial challenges. However, it was revived in 1986 in a new location and has operated ever since. Today, Birdland and its sister venue, Birdland Theater, are thriving establishments dedicated to live music and entertainment. So, while the original location closed decades ago, Birdland as a concept and venue is very much alive in New York City.
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How long are shows at Birdland, NYC?: Shows at Birdland Theater in New York City typically last between 75 to 90 minutes, although the exact duration may vary depending on the artist or event. The venue offers both early and late shows, giving guests flexibility in planning their evening. Doors usually open 30-60 minutes before showtime, allowing patrons to settle in, order food or drinks, and enjoy the club's welcoming atmosphere. Birdland's schedule is designed to deliver a high-quality, uninterrupted musical experience, making it easy for visitors to fit a world-class jazz performance into their NYC itinerary.
What was the name of the most famous nightclub in New York City where many jazz artists would perform?: The most famous nightclub in New York City where many jazz artists performed is Birdland. Since its original opening in 1949, Birdland has hosted some of the greatest names in jazz, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis. Nicknamed “The Jazz Corner of the World,” Birdland quickly became the epicenter of New York's jazz scene, drawing both legendary musicians and devoted fans. Its reputation endures today, with both the Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater continuing to celebrate and showcase the best in jazz and live music.