The Jazz Purveyor Presents: Helen Sung | Oracles Quartet

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for The Jazz Purveyor Presents: Helen Sung | Oracles Quartet!

Helen Sung – Piano

Elias Haslanger – Saxophone

James Suter – Bass

Daniel Dufour – Drums

Undeniable… piano playing at a quite unbelievably jaw-dropping level."

– Sebastian Scotney, London Jazz News

“She will be a very important person to hear whenever you get a chance to hear her.”

– Ron Carter, quoted in JazzTimes

When pianist and composer Helen Sung received the opportunity to arrange for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in 2016, it started her on a journey in large ensemble writing that is now culminating with the release of her debut big band album Oracles (Sunnyside Records, June 12, 2026). Paying tribute to the jazz masters who were her mentor-teachers during her studies at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance (now the Herbie Hancock Institute), Sung presents musical portraits dedicated to some of the greatest icons of jazz which will be performed by some of the brightest stars on today's Lone Star jazz scene. Jazz giant Wynton Marsalis writes about the album in his liner notes: “Helen Sung is a shining example of the heroic journey to self-realization through the art of Jazz. As a soloist, arranger, composer and bandleader she [Helen] has developed an expansive vocabulary that encompasses the richness, virtuosity, freedom and humanity that defines the best jazz…the little details that define our music are well represented and attended to with care and intelligence. That’s why this is a great listen… All you have to do is check it out.” Helen Sung's Oracles is created with the support of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation; additional funding comes from the New York State Council on the Arts with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. At Monks she presents Oracles in a small group format.

A Houston native and UT grad living in New York City, Helen is an award-winning artist and Guggenheim fellow. She was mentored by legends like Ron Carter and Clark Terry, graduated from the Thelonious Monk Institute (now the Hancock Institute). She won the Mary Lou Williams Competition, and has performed in major jazz festivals including Newport, Detroit, Monterey, SFJAZZ, and at venues like Ronnie Scott's, London, and Carnegie Hall. She now tours globally as an acclaimed performer and educator, and was recognized with UT's prestigious E. William Doty Distinguished Alumna Award.

“Sung plays with crisp swing and elegant invention, her rhythms drawing from the music’s deepest blues roots – and setting listeners’ heads bobbing – while she explores her own fresh ideas, often inspired from her classical training.” (New York Times)

Presented by The Jazz Purveyor.

Please Note: MONKS JAZZ IS NOW A FULL SERVICE BAR. As part of this transition, Monks Jazz is no longer a BYOB venue. We invite you to enjoy our thoughtfully curated beverage menu and roll with us through the changes! As always, this is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Free parking is available in the area.

Monks is open 6:30 PM for a new Happy Half Hour, featuring $2 off of our Classic and Signature Cocktails, $2 off Glasses of Wine, and $1 off of our Beer Menu between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. Join us for a drink, or come at your scheduled seating time! We'll have a wonderful evening planned ahead!

First Show: Doors at 7:00pm, Show at 7:30pm.

Second Show: Doors at 9:00pm, Show at 9:30pm.