​​​​

Performing across Korea, Europe, and the United States, Brandon Jinwoo Choi is a pioneering saxophonist who has brought a new wave to the classical saxophone on the global stage. He graduated from the prestigious Conservatory of Lyon in France with a top performance diploma and later earned both his master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a full scholarship recipient, becoming the youngest Korean to do so.

Brandon Choi has gained widespread recognition through numerous national and international competitions, including first prize at both the Cincinnati Competition and the Korea Music Association Competition, and second prize at the MTNA Competition. He also garnered attention on the international stage by premiering the classical saxophone concerto composed by Susan Botti, a Guggenheim Fellow and professor at the Manhattan School of Music, with the Cincinnati Orchestra. This was the world premiere of the work. Furthermore, Choi became the first Korean classical saxophonist to hold a recital at Lincoln Center in New York. His international reach extends to performances at Blagoje Bersa Hall in Croatia, Debussy Concert Hall in Lyon, France, Tower Records in Japan, and the National Theater of Taiwan, where he has conducted both recitals and masterclasses, solidifying his global reputation.

He has performed with renowned orchestras such as the Cincinnati Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra,  Korea National Symphony Orchestra, Suwon Philharmonic, Incheon Philharmonic, Gwangju Symphony Orchestra, Changwon Philharmonic, Cheonan Philharmonic, Cheongju Philharmonic, Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, and the Hankyung Arte Philharmonic, introducing new possibilities for classical saxophone concertos on Korean stages.

In 2024, Brandon Choi released the Beethoven album, which was met with critical acclaim, with one reviewer praising it as "sailing through a sea of breath" for its profound interpretation and rich tone. His 2023 album Rachmaninoff, a collaboration with Russian pianist Ilya Rashkovskiy, reinterpreted Rachmaninoff’s compositions for the saxophone, earning wide praise. Additionally, Choi continues to expand the boundaries of classical saxophone through albums such as Saxophone Sonatas, Through Adam's Fall, and Dreaming.

Through his concert tour with world-renowned soprano Jo Sumi, Choi created innovative performances blending the saxophone with soprano vocals, significantly enhancing the public’s appreciation of classical saxophone. He also delivered a successful recital at the Daejeon Grand Festival in collaboration with conductor Jang Hanna.

Brandon Choi has been instrumental in popularizing classical saxophone through various media appearances, including EBS Space Gonggam (Yunchan Lim and Brandon Choi), SBS (Kim Chang-wan’s Morning Show and Newsroom), KBS Classic FM, TBS, and YTN, and he further engages with the public through his personal YouTube channel, contributing to the wider appreciation of classical music.

​​​

​

​

Equipment:

Soprano Saxophone:

YSS-875 EXHG GP

 

Alto Saxophone:

YAS-875EX GP

V1-GP neck 

 

Tenor Saxophone

YTS- 875 EX

V1-GP neck 

​

Baritone Saxophone 

YBS- 62

V1-GP neck