Open Sound: Akiko Pavolka AND Jeong Lim Yang
About this event
About Open Sound | Open Sound 2026 Lineup | Open Sound Calendar | RSVP! When: Wednesday, July 22nd, 7PM Where: Open Source Gallery, 306 17th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 Akiko Pavolka Tokyo born Akiko Pavolka is a New York-based musician, composer and educator whose strikingly original music blends pop and jazz with the music and sensibilities of her native Japan. Her performances take you on a journey away from your everyday life and into a realm of wandering migrants. From Mongolian nomads to bus riders in Sunset Park to a dog shot into space, they seek out the truths that we all share, and are given voice in her unforgettable songs. Akiko Pavolka – voice and keys Ollie Hirvonen – guitar Matt Pavolka – bass Bill Campbell – drums Jeong Lim Yang Native South Korean bassist Jeong Lim Yang has been a powerhouse in New York City’s music scene since 2011, collaborating with icons like Jason Palmer and Kenny Wollesen. Her debut as a leader, Déjà Vu (2017), was honored as NPR’s “Best Debut Album of the Year.” Since then, she has gained international acclaim through the experimental collective Mute and her 2022 reimagining of Mary Lou Williams’s work, Zodiac Suite: Reassured, performed at venues like Lincoln Center and SF Jazz. In 2025, Yang released Synchronicity, a quartet album featuring Mat Maneri and Jacob Sacks that showcases her sophisticated original compositions. Beyond the jazz world, she leads the multicultural sensation project Miss Ambivalent. This singer-songwriter venture bridges her avant-garde roots with global pop, highlighted by the standout 2024 single “half moon” from miss ambivalent vol. 2. By blending K-pop energy, rock grit, and jazz fluidity, she creates a sound that is as diverse as the city she calls home. Often being compared to the legends of rock n roll band “the Shaggs” Her lyrical and melodic approach remains highly sought after across contemporary and improvised music. Beyond her jazz roots, South Korean bassist Jeong Lim Yang leads the multicultural sensation Rock Band under the moniker Miss Ambivalent. This singer-songwriter project bridges avant-garde foundations with global pop, and the most unique sounding music. By blending K-pop energy, rock grit, and jazz fluidity, Yang creates a sound as diverse as her New York home. Often compared to the legendary rock band The Shaggs, her lyrical and melodic approach remains highly sought after.
