26/07/2025
Lele Music Productions is honored to release a two song EP "Hawaiʻi Nostalgia" by ʻukulele virtuoso Minseok Choi. It will only be available on all digital platforms this coming Monday July 28th. CHECK IT OUT!
About Minseok:
Minseok Choi is a pioneering ʻukulele jazz musician, recognized for his deep musicality and innovative approach to the instrument. His journey with the ʻukulele began in 2009 at the age of 21, when he stumbled upon a photo of the instrument online. At the time, the ʻukulele was relatively unknown in Korea, but its charm captivated him instantly. Initially a hobby, his passion soon evolved into a serious musical pursuit. With limited access to ʻukulele instruction in Korea, he turned to YouTube, studying performances by Hawaiian virtuosos such as Herb Ohta, Lyle Ritz, Benny Chong, and Byron Yasui, whose jazz-infused styles greatly influenced his playing.
From 2010 to 2012, Minseok served as a trombonist in the military band, gaining invaluable musical experience. During this time, he was introduced to a broader spectrum of music, including classical and jazz, which deepened his appreciation for complex harmonies and improvisation.
In 2014, he spent seven months in Hawaii, studying under ʻukulele masters including Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, Dr. Trey, Herb Ohta Jr., and Kalei Gamiao. Upon returning to Korea, he became actively involved in ʻukulele performance and education. However, his passion for jazz extended beyond the ʻukulele, drawing him toward the works of great jazz musicians such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis.
Driven by an increasing desire to learn jazz improvisation, he sought formal education in the genre. Since jazz schools in Korea did not accept ʻukulele as a primary instrument, he applied to Berklee College of Music in Boston. In a groundbreaking achievement, he became the first student in Berklee’s history to be admitted with the ʻukulele as his principal instrument.
From 2018 to 2021, Minseok majored in Performance at Berklee, honing his improvisational skills and solidifying his identity as a jazz musician. Since graduating, he has been actively performing in jazz clubs in Korea and Japan, proving that the ʻukulele has a rightful place in the jazz scene.
Currently, Minseok leads two major projects: Minseok Choi Pacific Project, an octet that explores Hawaiian jazz with vocals, and Woodtone Jazz Trio, a group featuring ʻukulele, guitar, and double bass. In 2024, he recorded the single Hawai'i Nostalgia in Hawaii, produced by the renowned Herb Ohta Jr., marking another milestone in his career.
With his deep-rooted passion for jazz and the ʻukulele, Minseok Choi continues to push boundaries, bridging cultures and redefining the possibilities of his instrument on the global jazz stage.
