Hwan Yoo is a Seoul-born drummer and composer who now calls New York City his creative home. He moved to New York in 2017 to pursue his studies at The New School, where he had the privilege of studying under the guidance of esteemed mentors Reggie Workman, Andrew Cyrille, Kenny Washington, Matt Wilson, Kendrick Scott, Craig Weinrib, Ari Hoenig, and Amir Ziv.
Hwan’s music is a fusion of cultures and experiences, offering a unique voice in the world of contemporary jazz. Throughout his career, Hwan has shared his original compositions and played for others at various venues in the NYC area, such as Smalls Jazz Club, Tishman Auditorium, Public Records, Tomi Jazz, Julian's NYC, and many more. His music transcends borders, taking him to international stages, including the Bern Jazz Festival in Bern, Switzerland in 2021, and the Keep An Eye Jazz Award at BIMHUIS in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 2022.
Currently, Hwan Yoo is fulfilling his military service commitment in South Korea following the completion of his BFA degree at The New School, where he was honored with the John Coltrane Award. Hwan has set his sights on an exciting future, with plans to release his own album in 2024 with Tidebloom Records. After serving his country he aspires to continue his educational journey by pursuing a master's degree in New York City.