Sophie Min

Sophie Min is a Brisbane based pianist, composer and improvising artist who expands on the proficiencies of the varied small ensembles by her unique pianism and explosive improvisation. She is an active composer whose work shows a distinctive personal aesthetic and who has become one of the most outstanding young jazz artists in Australia.

Since completing her M Mus (2016), she recorded and produced an album, Min/Svoboda/ Hawkins, this recording investigates a wide range of practices and techniques in the jazz improvisational form showing strong interactions between each instrument. She also co- leaded, composed and arranged From All Sides Nimble (2018) and Hectic Moon Sprout (2018). She also has significantly contributed as a main pianist to Solace’ Kayleigh Pincott Quintet (2017) and Move to the Bleat Forage (2018).

Her accolades include winning a position with the JM Jazz World Orchestra performing at 6 European jazz festivals and receiving a scholarship from the Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music. As a performer, she has performed or toured with Kristin Berardi, John Hoffman, James Sherlock, Elly Hoyt, Rafael Karlen, Aaron McCoullough, Michael Pignéguy, Enthusiatic Musicians Orchestra, Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Wind Orchestra and Kayleigh Pincott Quintet. She has led her band enjoying performing highlights such as the Melbourne Womens Jazz Festival, Brisbane International Jazz Festival, JMI, QPAC, Brisbane Jazz Club, Doo-Bop Jazz Bar, Jazzlab, Paris Cats and Brisbane City Council Projects.

She recently engaged as a sessional instructor in jazz piano at the Queensland Conservatorium and she also teaches at the Young Conservatorium and her own music studio.

Discography

‘Min/Svoboda/Hawkins’ Min/Svoboda/Hawkins Trio (2018), Independent Release ‘From All Sides’ Nimble (2018), Real Production
‘Move to the Bleat’ Forage (2018), Supersonic Production
‘Solace’ Kayleigh Pincott Quintet (2017), Independent Release

‘Hectic Moon’ Sprout (2018) Supersonic Production

Reference

“She as been an integral part of vocalist Kayleigh Pincott’s ensemble since its inception; their CD Solace was nominated this year for an Australian Jazz Bell Award in the Best Jazz Vocal album category. Given that these are national competitive awards with no limiting age or experience criteria, it is quite an extraordinary achievement to be part of a nominated project so early in one’s career.”

Louise Denson, Senior Lecturor in Jazz, Queensland Conservatorium, June 2018.

“The title track “Solace” is also a stand out that again features the beautiful work of Min on piano, her sensitivity and musicianship are crucial to the success of not only this track but to the entire album. Min opens the title track with solo piano that leads into Pincott’s expressive vocal, the duet continues until the band enters one at a time layering sound and tension on top of an arrangement that takes many twists and turns.”

David Galea, Queensland Jazz Review on Kayleigh Pincott Quintet Solace, July 2017.