Helen Sung’s Sung with Words | Dec 5

Sung With Words is a multi-movement work and pianist/composer Helen Sung’s first program of all original compositions using the poems of celebrated poet Dana Gioia as lyrics.

Written collaboratively, “Sung With Words” presents a modern sensibility exploring themes of the human condition – love, betrayal, wonder, melancholy, mystery – bringing together the musical and literary worlds in a thrilling experience. Setting Gioia’s words to music, Sung looks deeper into how words and music connect thru her Lament for Kalief Browder and Convergence, instrumental compositions inspired by words. “Sung With Words” is Sung’s 7th leader release.

Sung currently performs with fine ensembles such as the Mingus Big Band, T.S.Monk Band, and Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project (she performed on Carrington’s Grammy-winning album Mosaic Project).

Sung is an active composer and has received several commissions and grants, including a 2014 Chamber Music America/Doris Duke Foundation New Jazz Works Grant. Inspired by her experience at the Monk Institute, Sung stays involved in music education through residencies/workshops and joined the jazz faculties at the Juilliard School and Columbia University in 2015.