Trần Mạnh Tuấn
Trần Mạnh Tuấn (born May 7, ?? in Hanoi) is one of the two most prominent jazz saxophonists in Vietnam (the other being Quyền Văn Minh, also from Hanoi). In 2002, he moved from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and has taught at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory. He is also a composer, arranger and producer.
He is from a musical family; his father, mother, and sister are all performers of cải lương, a traditional musical theater form of southern Vietnam. He began playing the saxophone in 1979 and is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.[1]
He has released five solo CDs and has performed and recorded with several Vietnamese pop singers. He is also known for his interpretations of the songs of Trịnh Công Sơn.
At various occasions, Trần Mạnh Tuấn has perform with a number of well known musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Derek Nash, Lillian Boutte, Charlie Bisharat, Dave Grusin, Don Grusin, Hans Dulfer, Fulvio Albano, Rob Mullins, Mike Del Frerro, John Ferguson, Stephan Eicher, Co Co York, Jennifer Ryan, Mezcal Jazz Unit, Dana Leong, Denis Mininfield.[2]
In 2005 he opened the Sax n' Art jazz club in Ho Chi Minh City.[3]
Collaboration with Mezcal Jazz Unit
In 2005-2007, Tuấn was involved in Tim Gió, a musical and cultural exchange project between Vietnam and France. The project involved the French jazz band Mezcal Jazz Unit, Trần Mạnh Tuấn as well as other Vietnamese folk musicians like Cao Ho Nga (dân t'rưng, đàn tranh), Nguyen Thu Thy (đàn nhị), Nguyen Anh Tran (đàn bầu, đàn nguyệt, đàn đáy). A CD entitled Tim Gió was released in 2006.[4]
Discography
- Lời Ru Mắt Em
- Biển Khát
- Hạ Trắng
- Về Quê (Returning to the Countryside)
- Bóng Thời Gian (The Shadow Of Time)
- Ru Rừng (Jungle Lullaby)
- Bèo Dạt Mây Trôi (Drifting Blossoms and Floating Clouds)
- Như Cánh Vạc Bay (Wings Of the Flying Crane)
- Angel Eyes
Collaborative albums
- Tim Gió (2006) (Collaboration with the French group Mezcal Jazz Unit)