Press & Reviews
Things Will Pass
Copper Magazine / PS Audio
Frank Doris — October 7, 2024
“This is one of the best records I’ve heard in a very long time. The music is wonderful, and the sound is sublime.”
Doris praises both the music and the recording quality of Things Will Pass, describing the album as warm, spacious, dynamic, and difficult to categorize simply as jazz.
All About Jazz
Jack Bowers — October 29, 2024
“She has a singular voice of her own.”
Bowers highlights Hong’s ability to blend Korean harmonies and rhythms with contemporary American big-band writing, while maintaining a highly personal compositional identity.
Jazz Journal
October 1, 2024
“A big-sounding album, full of lush orchestral arrangements.”
The review emphasizes the wide emotional range of Things Will Pass and the way American big-band writing intersects with Korean musical influences throughout the record.
JW Vibe
Jonathan Widran — September 25, 2024
“True musical visionary.”
Widran calls Hong’s work a distinctive East-meets-West approach to jazz orchestra writing and praises the wide range of moods and styles heard across Things Will Pass.
Musical Memoirs
Dee Dee McNeil — August 1, 2024
“This is the best album I’ve heard by the Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra.”
McNeil praises Hong’s arranging, storytelling, and ability to draw individual character from the musicians throughout the orchestra.
Take Effect Reviews
May 17, 2025 — 8/10
“A very unique East swings West experience.”
The review praises the album’s balance of Korean influence, American jazz tradition, swing, groove, ballad writing, and strong ensemble playing.
MM Jazz — Korea
Best Korean Jazz Albums of 2024 — Critics’ Choice
MM Jazz recognized Things Will Pass among its notable Korean jazz releases of 2024, praising the album’s expanded ensemble dynamics, richer narrative development, strong soloists, and cohesive group sound.
Skope Magazine
July 16, 2024
“A vibrant, beautiful musical realm.”
The review focuses on the orchestra’s blend of traditional jazz language, contemporary textures, Korean influence, and Hong’s cinematic approach to composition.
EE-YA-GI (Stories)
All About Jazz
Jack Bowers — May 19, 2017
“What a delightful surprise.”
Bowers called Hong’s debut a meeting of East and West and praised her melodic writing, command of traditional big-band language, and distinctive orchestral voice.
The New York City Jazz Record
Donald Elfman — October 2017
“Hong brilliantly understands the big band language.”
Elfman praised the album’s dialogue between Korean musical traditions, classical structures, and contemporary jazz orchestra writing.
Cadence Magazine
Robert Rusch
“Fresh, features some exceptional compositions and sounds like no other jazz orchestra that comes to mind.”
Rusch singled out the individuality of Hong’s compositions and the distinctive identity of the orchestra.
JazzTrail
Felipe Freitas — June 26, 2017
“A talented orchestrator and musical thinker.”
JazzTrail praised Hong’s genre-crossing approach and the way Korean melodic ideas, contemporary jazz, rock, and orchestral writing coexist throughout the recording.
The Aquarian Weekly
Mike Greenblatt — June 2017
“A delightful debut, filled with swing, classical flourishes, post-bop.”
Greenblatt highlighted the album’s combination of contemporary jazz writing and traditional Korean melodic elements.
Jazz Music Archives
John Sanders — June 2017
“An infinitely interesting orchestral extravaganza.”
Sanders described EE-YA-GI as complex and adventurous while retaining an energetic, approachable character.