The Yoon Sun Choi – Jacob Sacks Duo has been at the exploratory forefront of jazz and improvised voice and piano duet for 25 years. The Duo is excited to announce their newest album, Memory Ghosts, which explores new original material along with interpretations of works by Annette Peacock and Randy Newman. Previous recordings include Soulmates – their first album which features all original material, Imagination – the music of Joe Raposo, and I Should Care – a collection of interpretations of standards from the Great American Songbook.

Yoon Sun Choi

Yoon Sun Choi has been captivating audiences for over two decades with her fearless artistry, intuitive creativity, and expansive musical vision. Her work reflects a deep commitment to exploring the emotional and improvisational depths of music, always with a sense of purpose and curiosity.

Born in Korea, raised in Canada, and now an American, Choi has been based in New York City since 2000, where she has built a vibrant career as an improvising vocalist and pianist. Her primary musical projects include her long-standing duo with pianist Jacob Sacks, her innovative solo voice and piano work, and her dynamic quartet. She is also a regular collaborator in Sarah Weaver’s cross-disciplinary ensemble.

Choi has shared the stage and studio with a remarkable range of artists, including Jane Ira Bloom, Samir Chatterjee, Steve Coleman, Mark Dresser, Gerry Hemingway, Darius Jones, Oliver Lake, Ben Monder, the Tri-Centric Orchestra, Kenny Wheeler, and more. Her performances have brought her to some of the world’s most celebrated music venues, including The Blue Note, Birdland, The Stone, Roulette, Roy Thomson Hall, and Carnegie Hall.

Her musical foundation is built on rigorous training and mentorship. Choi holds degrees in classical piano and composition from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and in voice and jazz performance from the University of Toronto. She studied voice with Thomas Schilling and piano with Sofia Rosoff, whose teachings continue to shape her approach to music.

Choi’s work is a testament to her ability to create moments of profound connection and inspiration. Whether collaborating with other artists or exploring the edges of her solo work, she continues to push boundaries, embracing the joy and mystery of music at every turn.

Jacob Sacks

Jacob Sacks is a pianist, composer, educator who has been a mainstay of NYC’s creative music scene for over 25 years. He has been hailed as “a pianist of exploratory temperament, drawn to open space and shrewd irresolution” by Nate Chinen in the New York Times. Known for his creativity, ingenuity, and musicianship, Mr. Sacks has been heard in a wide variety of settings ranging from the open approach of Paul Motian’s groups to the mainstream jazz traditions of the Mingus Big Band to the eclectic world of the Hank Roberts Sextet.

Originally from Michigan, Mr. Sacks was a 1995 Presidential Scholar In The Arts before he moved to New York City to study with Garry Dial at the Manhattan School Of Music. After graduation in 1998, he was a finalist in the 1999 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition.

In addition to performing solo, Mr. Sacks currently leads a trio with Dan Weiss and Thomas Morgan or Eivind Opsvik; a chamber quartet with Miranda Sielaff, Kristi Helberg, and Mike McGinnis; a two trombone quintet with Jacob Garchik, Ben Gerstein, Dan Weiss, & Thomas Morgan; a two saxophone quintet with Tony Malaby, Ellery Eskelin, Michael Formanek, and Dan Weiss, and co-leads the quartet 2 Miles A Day with Eivind Opsvik, Mat Maneri, and BillyMintz.

Mr. Sacks also collaborates with many different ensembles and artists – the longstanding duo with vocalist Yoon Sun Choi, the collective trio “PLAY” with Vinnie Sperrazza and Masa Kamaguchi, 40Twenty with Jacob Garchik, David Ambrosio, and Vinnie Sperrazza; the collective quartet LandLine with Chet Doxas, Zack Lober, and Vinnie Sperrazza, and with artists such as Eric Wubbels, Ethan Iverson, Karen Ng, Orlando Hernandez, and Liz Kosack.

Mr. Sacks is a current member of ensembles led by Dan Weiss, Eivind Opsvik, Jacob Garchik,Mike McGinnis, Dave Scott, Okkyung Lee, and Hank Roberts.

Universally esteemed as an educator, Jacob has synthesized his experiences as a creative performing musician and artist with his experiences as a student of Sophia Rosoff, Garry Dial, and Mark Kieswetter. His approach to balancing and blending the teaching of musicianship with the development of individual creativity has been acclaimed worldwide.

Jacob has led masterclasses both domestically and internationally at institutions such as Manhattan School Of Music, University of Michigan, University of Toronto, Humber College,Porto Conservatory, Birmingham Convervatoire, and AMR Geneva. In addition to leading masterclasses, Jacob teaches for the New School, and teaches lessons, classes, and ensembles in his private practice in Brooklyn.