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Pianist Helen Sung Waxes Poetic with 'Sung with Words,' on Salon Sessions

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Sheila Anderson with pianist Helen Sung, a regular guest on Salon Sessions

Helen Sung is a classically trained pianist who discovered jazz and found her passion for writing music when working with master bassist Ron Carter at the Monk Institute. Every day there, she would embark on writing a new piece of music.

She recently expanded her musical palette in "Sung with Words," a collaboration with poet Dana Gioia. With Gioia's encouragement and input, Sung explored the idea that poetry is meant to be read aloud. In this Salon Session, she expounds on her writing process and discusses her future projects. 

Co-Produced by Sheila Anderson and Anthony Nieves

Sheila E. Anderson—affectionately known as the "Queen of Hang"—is a respected broadcaster, author, producer, moderator, emcee, and cultural advocate whose decades of work have helped shape and sustain the jazz community. While much attention is deservedly focused on the artists themselves, Anderson has dedicated her career to creating platforms that celebrate their stories, preserve jazz history, and connect audiences with the music. A visionary who has consistently created opportunities beyond traditional media, she has become one of jazz's most influential communicators.