ABOUT

Celine (Suh Yeon) Kang is a guitarist, composer, and improviser based in New York. Influenced by European improvised music and Black American music, her work blends dense composed materials, non-traditional improvisations, and textural soundscapes. Celine began her career in music as a recording artist and live performer, primarily performing music in Gospel, R&B, and Rock. Her current work focuses on improvised music and original compositions. 

Her most recent works include multiple bands that perform her original compositions. These groups have performed at The Stone, IBeam Brooklyn, Shapeshifter, Nublu, and various venues in NYC. She recently performed with her quartet that includes Brian Marsella, Colson Jimenez, and Jacob Patrone, and a trio including Nels Cline and Josh Mathews as a part of her residency at the Stone. She also performs as a part of John Zorn's COBRA, and has performed at Roulette Intermedium, The Drawing Center, and Big Ears Festival. 

During her time at The New School’s performing arts college, she studied and worked with artists such as Steve Cardenas, Joe Morris, Brian Marsella, Darius Jones, Mary Halvorson, Anna Webber, Ches Smith, and more - focusing on studies in improvisation and composition. 

Celine’s early musical life was heavily influenced by gospel and soul music and textural music, such as musique concrete and film soundtracks, creating a unique approach to music and sound. Her compositions and improvisational approach reflect these transparently; embracing both atonality and tonality, texture and raw characteristics of sound, and flexibility in form. 

Alongside the music, Celine also works in photography and design. Her photography often delivers a similar perspective and aesthetic to her music, attempting to portray artists in their most focused and natural form.