“… Jinjoo Yoo sounds wise beyond her experience when she sits down to play. …”
“… I’m Curious, her debut EP, shows her breadth as a straight-ahead stylist and though there are strong allusions to key elements and players of the mainstream tradition, she doesn’t exactly sound like anyone else. …”
“… the listener is instantly attracted to Yoo’s light but firm touch on the keys, like a Broadway dancer springing across the floor. (…) with light clustered accents and a fine solo built on carefully crafted figures. …”
“… her solo lines, mostly single notes, crisp and clean like a trumpet. …”
– Tom Greenland, <The New York City Jazz Record>
*PDF file is available here: NYCJR Album review
*The New York City Jazz Record March 2019 issue is available here: (http://www.nycjazzrecord.com/issues/tnycjr201903.pdf)
“Irrepressible, Purist Fun From an Important, Individualistic New Voice in Jazz Piano”
“…She’s Monk-ish in her economy of notes, passion for the blues and laserlike sense of a good tune, but she actually doesn’t sound much like Monk. Brubeck is another touchstone – or imagine John Lewis without the booze. …”
“…With its blend of misterioso neoromanticism and the blues, the album’s title track is unselfconsciously Ellingtonian. The way Yoo works this strut from allusively creepy toward a more optimistic direction is just plain classic. ..”
– New York Music Daily
*Full text is available here: (https://newyorkmusicdaily.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/jjy/)
“…Her music is unhackneyed, melodic, welcoming. She spins out long graceful lines that aren’t four-bar modules copied from other pianists. She has her own voice, or I should say, “voices.” The performances often begin with a simple melodic motif set over a clear, swinging rhythmic foundation . . . and they transparently show off her curiosity. …”
“……..the results are gently playful, as if she were turning over brightly-colored bits of melody and harmony in the sunlight to see what reflections they cast on the while wall. She can be tender, ruminative, but she can also create vivid joyous dances: songs that call out for lyrics. …”
“…Her playing is spare but I never felt it to be sparse, the sonic equivalent of a large room with one canvas chair against the wall. No, her single notes seem just right — percussive commentary when needed, lyrical otherwise, and her harmonies are lovely, neither formulaic nor jarring. …”
“…It’s clear that she has steeped herself in the jazz tradition — reaching far and wide to include bebop, Jimmy Rowles, Ellington, Monk, and American popular song at its best — but she is herself. …..”
– Michael Steinman, <JAZZ LIVES>
*Full text is available here: (https://jazzlives.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/ms-yoo-to-you-i-am-curious-jinjoo-yoo-neal-miner-jimmy-wormworth-gut-string-records/)
“……One of the most listenable albums I’ve heard in many a turntable revolution! Although very bop-influenced in her solos, Jinjoo is able to spread her fingers across many genres, Bud Powell or Mel Powell, she takes them all in her stride…..”
“….It’s not just her playing but also her compositions which are almost singable before she takes off down the improvisational road. Of course, good as Jinjoo is, her game is lifted to an even higher level, if that were possible, by the presence of Miner and Wormworth who provide the perfect support. …… Jinjoo studied with Barry Harris and it shows. A late addition to my Album of the Month.”
– Lance Liddle, <Bebop Spoken Here>
– Greek Jazz Pianist Arzimanoglou Yannis, Review of Jinjoo Yoo’s “I’m Curious” CD release concert at Jazz Point Jazz Club (Athens, Greece)
*Arzimanoglou Yannis is a jazz pianist/educator/composer who Gives seminars “ Music for the cinema” at a masters degree level at “University of Balears”(UIB)and at the “Instituto Europeo de la empressa audiovisual” ( IEAA-Madrid ) (1998-2001) and many more.
(Musician Info- https://jazzonline.gr/en/musicians/item/95-arzimanoglou-yannis.html)
“In my opinion, Jinjoo Yoo is one of the most exciting pianists on the scene in New York. I love her thoughtful, graceful style! Her compositions sparkle like champagne, always backed by richness and deep listening. Look no further for a fantastic evening of songs with this trio!!!!”
– Stephanie Fittro
* Stephanie Fittro- Broadway’s “Legally Blonde, ” Jazz credits including jazz club Smoke and “Soul Doctor” at Jazz at Lincoln Center)
Jinjoo Yoo 