Sunny Kim is a Korea-born vocalist, improviser, composer and educator based in Melbourne, Australia. An award-winning vocalist, Sunny has collaborated with contemporary musicians, dancers, and visual artists ranging from NY-based jazz musicians to Australian indigenous song men to explore meeting points between culture, gender, and artistic disciplines.

After completing her studies in jazz with teachers Bob Moses, Jerry Bergonzi, Dominique Eade, Charlie Banacos and Frank Carlberg at the New England Conservatory, Sunny moved to New York in 2005 and began her career as a vocalist. Since then Sunny has performed and recorded in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia and Australia. Musicians she has collaborated with include Ben Monder, Roswell Rudd, Dave Douglas, Vardan Ovsepian, Trevor Dunn, Ches Smith, Hilmar Jensson, Min Xiao Fen, Pheeroan Aklaff, Ran Blake, Carmen Staaf, Stomu Takeishi, Satoshi Takeishi, Ken Filiano, Darius Jones, Chris Speed, Angelica Sanchez, Brad Jones, Ari Hoenig, Gino Sitson, Youngjoo Song, David Jones, Andrea Keller, Daniel Wilfred, David Wilfred, Chris Hale, Simon Barker and Peter Knight.

Sunny has released four CD’s as a leader, Android Ascension (2008), Painter’s Eye (2012), The Shining Sea [Live at the Olympus Hall] (2014), and The Dream of the Earth (2016), and has released several others as a collaborator with Prana Trio, Roswell Rudd Quartet, and MadLove.

Sunny has published collaborative works with painter Sun Doo Kim, dancer/choreographer Sung Yong Kim, photographer Sung Hyun Sohn, and poet Hong Jo Yoon in various inter-disciplinary projects funded by the Korea Art Council. Her composition “Everywhere” has been featured in film Late Autumn by director Tae Yong Kim.

Sunny was awarded Jazz People Reader’s Poll Award in Best Vocalist category in 2012 and 2013. Two of her duo records with guitarist Ben Monder have been nominated for Best Jazz Record category for Korean Music Award in 2015 and 2017.

Sunny is currently pursuing her PhD studies and lecturing in Jazz and Improvisation at the University of Melbourne.

"That simple but refined flavor is evident throughout Painter's Eye, from the shimmering ripples of "Bloom and Wither" to the hushed, uneasy drones of "Ink Silence." Kim is expressive but controlled, connecting emotionally with a stark sense of constraint.” - Shaun Brady, Jazz Times

“[Sunny Kimʼs] bell-like vocal instrument, clean phrasing, and distinct, confident tone ring true from beginning to end... extremely talented and likable.” - Michael G. Nastos, AllMusic.com

 “A crystalline voice that delivers the lines with controlled passion.” - David Dupont, Cadence Magazine

 “Sunny Kimʼs voice sings, murmurs, cajoles, and whispers with intelligence, clarity, and beauty... she has more than enough chops to run away with the show.” - David Wayne, JazzReview.com

 “Haunting... gorgeous and pliable... Kimʼs vocals are hushed, reminding at times of Rhiannon from the San Francisco womanʼs collective alive of some 25 years ago... Kimʼs vocal is not a scat like Ella, but an open sound, ala Annette Peacock.” - Mark E. Gallo, JazzReview.com

“The collaboration of Kim's Korean lyrics and Ben Monder's moody guitar make Painter's Eye absolutely shine. The entire album is something of a stunning experience, and it might just break a few hearts, too." - Dave Sumner, AllAboutJazz

 "Sunny is a fine and studied singer. With her conservatory background and chops, she is capable of taking on any kind of a challenge. In my music she handles the compositional demands with great eloquence and expertise...very sensitive to the musical and emotional demand of each song. I'm singing on the trombone and Sunny is a great complement to my efforts." - Roswell Rudd, Jazz Trombonist

 "Sunny has rich and beautiful texture, perfect pitch and excellent musicianship. She's an intelligent singer and a true artist. It makes me absolutely delighted to hear the way she approaches Steve's [Lacy] songs." - Irene Aebi, Jazz Singer

 "I have had the pleasure of playing with Sunny a number of times over the last few years, and have always been struck by the depth and originality of her music and her voice. Her musical vision is a bold and beautiful one." -Ben Monder, Jazz Guitarist

 "Sunny's influence range from Bjork to Billie Holiday with lyricism and emotional presence that are all her own." - Dominique Eade, Jazz Vocalist

 "Delivering huanting melody lines... Kim's winding, electronically manipulated vocal recalls early Ursula Dudziak." - Larry Nai, Cadence Magazine

“Her voice travels in bright shards - pellucid even through the tiny speakers of a pair of ear buds. It carries life force, culture, and reaches for connection.” - Peter Knight, Artistic Director of Australian Art Orchestra