Seungyoung Hong, DMA
Electronic Press Kit
Hong has a compelling vision to infuse his soul and ethos into the very essence of jazz idiom. This endeavor transcends musicality; it encompasses a global circulation and exchange. This approach, reinforced by robust music theory knowledge, bears scholarly significance—a nexus where tradition and innovation converge.
“Bassist and composer Seungyoung Hong belongs to a particular pedigree of jazz bassist, musicians like Charles Mingus, John Clayton, Steve Swallow, and Dave Holland who are deeply immersed in the study of the music’s architecture in DNA as they are with exploring its frontiers. His new album “Lost at Sea” expresses its artistic philosophy with perceptivity and explored spirit inviting the listener to discover new musical landscapes. ”
— Jazz 90.1 Radio, Past, Present, and Future
“Hong brings both a profound exploration of jazz and a practical transformation to his music. His debut album is a tapestry of his own making, weaving jazz at the intersection of multiple identities. The title track, Lost at Sea, is a lament for remembering the Sewol tragedy, slowly unraveling a mournful heart through a descending bass line. This approach is his unique take on the Baroque “lament bass," which can be described as the art of mourning, lament technique. In The Boat Song, the Korean folk song arrangement uses a 12+12 structure where modal and pentatonic melody seamlessly blend with folk influences. For jazz listeners, the piece brilliantly integrates the familiar melody and modal jazz idiom, which exist at different places, creating a sense of déjàvu for a familiar newness. Rhythm’s Chair, in contrast, is a contrafact composition of Hoagy Carmichael's piece and showcases a traditional performance. The players together build a palette of rich expressions,, each bringing their own insight into Hong’s depth and range. He has created this album in a way that equally honors the accumulation of time (history) and the heritage of music. ” - Jazz People Album Review (★★★★), Album of the Year
— Jazz People, October 2024
“It was a treat to listen to his wonderful recording. I truly enjoyed his compositions, especially “Lost at Sea” which tells a story beautifully. The sound and feel he produces on the bass are a pleasure to listen to. This venture demonstrates his unquestionable talent, not only as a bassist-composer but also as a band leader. ”
— Steve LaSpina, Jazz Bassist and Composer
“Seungyoung’s music is thoughtful and thoroughly engaging and displays his creativity as a very talented performer and composer. He has developed into a very strong bassist, and it is truly rewarding to witness his growth.”
— Marcus Mclaurine, Jazz Bassist and Composer (Bassist of Native Soul)
SELECTED STUDIES
(Peer-Reviewed) Unique Notes in Common Scores: Developing improvisational Fluency in Jazz Standards through historical approaches
Jazz Education in Research and Practice, vol. 7 (Feb 2026), Indiana University Press
Presented at CMS Northeast chapter conference, chatham university, pittsburgh, PA (mar 2026)