Born in South Korea in 1986, Daseul Kim began his musical journey thousands of miles from his current home in Chicago. A gifted pianist from a young age, he won the grand prize in Korea’s National Students Piano Contest at just six years old. But it wasn’t until high school—when he picked up the bass guitar and joined the school band—that he discovered his true passion for music and the groove-driven heart of jazz.

Immersing himself in jazz, Daseul studied at Korea’s Jazz Arts School & Studies and later at the Paekche Institute of the Arts, where he trained under the great South Korean bassist Changhyun Kim. Yet his desire to understand the roots of jazz led him across the globe. After completing his military service, he moved to the United States in 2010 to attend William Paterson University, where he studied with legendary musicians including Christian McBride, Mulgrew Miller, Rufus Reid, Steve Laspina, and Marcus McLaurine.

Daseul quickly established himself on the New York jazz scene, sharing the stage with artists such as Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, Scott Robinson, Lauren Sevian, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jimmy Heath, Steve Nelson, and the George Gee Jazz Orchestra. He performed at premier venues and festivals, including Central Park Jazz and Color Festival, and participated internationally as a performer and educator — teaching at a 2014 jazz camp in Colombia and presenting at ISME in Brazil. In 2014 and again in 2023, he toured South Korea as a member of the Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring Quintet.

In 2024, Daseul relocated to Chicago and is now an active part of the city’s vibrant jazz community as the leader of the Daseul Kim Quintet, performing at renowned venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club and Fulton Street Collective, bringing high-energy, hard bop–driven performances that blend tradition and modern edge.

His debut album as a bandleader, Relationship, features an explosive trio with Oscar Williams (piano) and Ryan Palermo (drums), and includes special appearances by Vincent Herring and Marcus McLaurine. The album showcases Daseul’s range—from fiery interplay reminiscent of the Coltrane Quartet to delicate moments of lyrical depth.

Today, Daseul continues to carve out a unique voice in jazz—blending deep tradition with fresh perspective, and delivering emotionally rich performances to audiences across the U.S. and beyond.