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Mina Choi: Stories

By Jack Bowers
June 2, 2025
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Who could have guessed that the next wave of world-class big-band composers and arrangers would wash ashore in the U.S. after starting its journey in faraway Asia? In 2024 alone, many composers with roots in the Far East have nourished their credentials with impressive and well- received big-band recordings. Those whose names spring to mind include

Jihye Lee

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Jihye Lee,

Hyeseon Hong

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Hyeseon Hong,

Noel Okimoto

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Noel Okimoto and

Zhengtao Pan

composer / conductor
b.2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Zhengtao Pan, a list that has now grown by one with the addition of pianist and composer

Mina Choi

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Mina Choi, whose intriguing Stories, enlivening the debut album as leader of her southern California-based jazz orchestra, are in the same upper class as those already named.

Four of the album's seven Stories were crafted by Choi, who also arranged every number save

George Cables

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">George Cables' upbeat opener, "Dark Side Light Side." That was arranged by guest pianist

Bill Cunliffe

piano
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Cunliffe who hangs long enough to enrich Choi's colorful "Secret Garden" and

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton's scampering "Bolivia." Cables is the spellbinding pianist on "Dark Side Light Side" and the second of his charming compositions, "Helen's Song," which closes the album. Choi mans the keyboard on a trio of her provocative originals: "Paddle Through the Lake," "You're Still Here" (dedicated to the more than three hundred souls who lost their lives onboard the Sewol ferry, which sank in South Korea in April 2014) and "All About Your Cries and Kisses."

Choi reserves blowing space for a number of the orchestra's sharp and able-bodied soloists including trumpeter

Joe Terry

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Terry, alto saxophonist

Steven Ragsdale

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Steven Ragsdale, tenors

Nick Gomez

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Nick Gomez and

Nathan King

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Nathan King, trombonists

Francisco Torres

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Francisco Torres and

Ryan Dragon

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ryan Dragon, vibraphonist Brian Cannady, guitarist

Zack Caplinger

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Zack Caplinger, bassist

Cole Sainburg

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Sainburg, percussionist

Alex Acuña

percussion
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Acu?a and drummer

Rodolfo Zuniga

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rodolfo Zuniga who anchors the ensemble's steady rhythm section. While their support is indispensable, it is Choi's seductive compositions and arrangements—her Stories—that brighten the landscape and lend the narrative its essence. A handsome and pleasing coming-out party.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Dark Side Light Side; Secret Garden; Bolivia; Paddle Through the Lake; You're Still Here (in memory of Sewol ferry); All About Your Cries and Kisses; Helen's Song.

Personnel

Mina Choi

piano

Bill Cunliffe

piano

Steven Ragsdale

saxophone

Jason Fabus

saxophone

Nathan King

saxophone

Ryan Dragon

trombone

Francisco Torres

trombone

Joe Terry

trumpet

John Reynolds

trumpet

Nate Johnson

trumpet

Ryan DeWeese

trumpet

Glen Turner II

saxophone, baritone

Fred Simmons

trombone

George Cables

piano

Zack Caplinger

guitar

Cole Sainburg

bass

Rodolfo Zuniga

drums

Alex Acu?a

percussion

Brian Cannady

vibraphone

Cody Kleinhans

trombone, bass

Additional Instrumentation

Nicholas Daniel Gomez, Tenor sax.

Album information

Title: Stories | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Self Produced

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