Nguyen Le Quartet

[Guest che]

Hi.

I have just been given a copy of the latest album by the Paris based Vietnamese guitarist.

This is a very good album and it seems that much of the music has a Taoist influence. I will listen to it more and let you know what I think. Anyone familier with this album or his music in general?

Che.

[Guest che]

Hi.

Here is some info for those not familier with Nguyen and his music.

Born in Paris from vietnamese parents, he began to play drums at the age of 15, then took up guitar & electric bass. After graduating in Visual Arts, he majored in Philosophy, writing a thesis on Exoticism. Then he devoted to music, creating "ULTRAMARINE" (1983), a multi-ethnic band whose CD " DÉ " has been considered "1989' s best World Music album" Philippe Conrath, Libération.

Nguyên LE is a self-taught musician, with a wide scope of interests : Rock & Funk (Jim Cuomo, Madagascar tour 84), Jazz standards & contemporary Jazz (bass player with Marc Ducret, guitar player with Eric Barret), Improvised Music (Yves Robert), Singers (Ray Charles), Contemporary Music (André Almuro, Tona Scherchen, Marius Constant, Mauricio Kagel), Ethnic Music : African & Caribbean with ULTRAMARINE , Algerian with Safy Boutella & Cheb Mami, Indian with Kakoli, Turkish with Kudsi Erguner, Vietnamese with his "Dan Bau" (traditional one-stringed instrument) teacher Truong Tang.

In sept. 87 he was chosen by director Antoine Hervé to play with the O. N. J. (French National Jazz Orchestra). Within this big band, he played with such musicians as Johnny Griffin, Louis Sclavis, Didier Lockwood, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Randy Brecker, Toots Thielemans, Courtney Pine, Steve Lacy, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gil Evans, Quincy Jones. Nguyên LE' s work also deals with programming synthetizers, effects & computers as well as writing orchestral pieces : "PROCESSOR" composed, arranged & recorded on CD "O.N.J. 87" & "LUNIK II" co-arranged with Dominique Borker & performed by the O.N.J. 1989.

In sept. 89 he records ULTRAMARINE's 2nd album "DÉ" &, in may 90, his first album as a leader : " MIRACLES " recorded in the U.S.A. with Art LANDE, Marc JOHNSON & Peter ERSKINE. At the same time he works with such musicians as Michel Portal, Miroslav Vitous, Trilok Gurtu, J. F. Jenny Clarke, Aldo Romano, Daniel Humair, Dewey Redman, Andy Emler, Jon Christensen, Nana Vasconcelos, Glenn Ferris, Christof Lauer, Paolo Fresu, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor ...

In may 92, after a month tour with Paul McCANDLESS on winds, Art Lande (p), Dean Johnson (b) & Joël Allouche (d), he records his 2nd album ZANZIBAR, which gets the « ffff » award by Télérama. In Jan. 93 he records "INIT", a trio with André Ceccarelli, François Moutin & guest Bob Berg, while setting up a new band on the music of Jimi Hendrix, w/ Corin Curschellas (voc), Steve Argüelles (d), Richard Bona (b). Since Jan. 93 he's been a frequent guest soloist of Köln's WDR Big band, especially with composer/director Vince MENDOZA. Nguyên Lê plays on three of his projects : "Jazzpaña", "Sketches" w/ Dave LIEBMAN, Charlie MARIANO, Peter Erskine, & "Downtown", w/ Russell Ferrante. In April 94 he’s the guest soloist of "The New Yorker", a suite by Bob BROOKMEYER, with Dieter Ilg (b) & Danny Gottlieb (d). With these two musicians he set his first trio, & recorded "MILLION WAVES" in dec. 94 . About this CD, Télérama writes : "This trio brings him to some musical spaces which he had not even imagined, & which are pure poetry".

In the meantime, he's playing in trio with Michel Benita(b) & Peter Erskine, recording on Michel Portal's new album with Ralph TOWNER (g), & working with Ornette COLEMAN on one of his contemporary music pieces, "Freedom Statue". In June 95 he's invited by WDR BigBand in "Azure Moon", with the YELLOWJACKETS & Vince Mendoza. In July 95, in Stuttgart Festival, he's one of the guest guitar players to celebrate the "Universe of Jimi Hendrix", besides Trilok Gurtu, Terry BOZZIO, Cassandra WILSON, Jack BRUCE, Vernon REID, David TORN, Victor BAILEY, Pharoah SANDERS... Recently he has been playing with John McLaughlin, Michel Petrucianni, Markus Stockhausen, Enrico Rava, Ray Anderson, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Dave Douglas, Wolfgang Pushnig...

In April 96, Nguyên Lê creates "Tales from Viêt-Nam", a project on Vietnamese music, with a 8-piece band blending jazz & traditional musicians. With stage director P. J. San Bartolomé, he starts " Of the Moon & the Wind ", a complete show where traditional & contemporary vietnamese dancers are integrated to the "Tales from Viêt-Nam" orchestra. The CD has received a great welcoming from international critics : Diapason d'Or, Choc du Monde de la Musique, Choc of Year 1996 Jazzman, 2nd best CD 96 for JAZZTHING (Germany), Best CD 96 on radio TRS 2 (CH), "a minor masterpiece" JAZZTIMES (USA).

On 4/97 Nguyên Lê releases his 5th CD, " 3 Trios", with Marc Johnson/ Peter Erskine, Dieter Ilg/ Danny Gottlieb & Renaud Garçia Fons/ Mino Cinelu. JAZZIZ Magazine USA says : « At times, jazz guitar can sound staid - but not in the case of N. Lê. He’s forever breaking boundaries for our benefit ». He has recorded 2 Cds with Paolo Fresu’s quartet : « Angel » (2/98) & « Metamorfosi » (4/99). On 5/98, 6th N. Lê record : « Maghreb & Friends », an exploration of Maghreb musical traditions & a deep collaboration with Algerian musicians. « Far from a false world music, N. Lê simply touches, with force & intensity, to universality » F. Medioni. N. Lê produced the 1rst CD of Huong Thanh, « Moon & Wind », entirely done in his home studio. He also has been nominated for the « Victoires de la Musique 1999 » award. His last CD, « BAKIDA », based on his regular trio with Renaud Garçia Fons (b) & Tino di Geraldo (perc, dr) plus guests from all over the world like Kudsi Erguner, Chris Potter, Carlos Benavent... This CD has been voted "best jazz album of the year" by "CD Compact" (Spain). ELB, a new trio CD has just been recorded in Rainbow studios, Oslo, with Peter Erskine & Michel Benita. He's touring with Terri Lyne Carrington's band, with Geri Allen, Matt Garrison & Gary Thomas & plays with Maria Schneider. Sept 2002 : 2nd CD of Huong Thanh « Dragonfly ». In june 2002 he's invited by the Metropole Orchestra (NL) to play his music arranged by Vince Mendoza. « Purple », an album celebrating Jimi Hendrix is released in sept 2002. In sept 2002 it's n° 1 on the charts of UK magazine "Jazzwise". Today it's N. Lê's most successful album, with 18 000 CD sales & non stop touring all over the world. "Mangustao", Huong Thanh's 3rd album, released in jan. 2004, is awarded as "Choc de la Musique" by french magazine "Le Monde de la Musique".In March 2005 release of "Walking on the Tiger's Tail", new album with his great friends Art Lande, Paul McCandless & Jamey Haddad. Several projects are in preparation : a very electronic & improvised recording in duo with Paolo Fresu, a 4th opus for Huong Thanh & the score writing of "Le Sheitan", a movie by Kim Chapiron with Vincent Cassel...

Wow impressive.

Che.

[A Lark Ascending]

I've not heard this yet but dearly love:

Some of his recordings can mix the multi-ethnic musical influence pot a bit too much, ending up a bit bland (a problem I've found with Trilok Gurtu's more recent music).

I also enjoyed his Hendrix tribute:

There are a number of recordings with Huong Thanh that follow the Vietnamese folk song link of Tales from Vietnam (the singer on that disc):

Nice playing on this disc by Italian trumpet player Paulo Fresu too:

A great live player too - he did a storming trio concert at Cheltenham a few years back.

Edited March 18, 2005 by Bev Stapleton

[Guest che]

I've not heard this yet but dearly love:

Some of his recordings can mix the multi-ethnic musical influence pot a bit too much, ending up a bit bland (a problem I've found with Trilok Gurtu's more recent music).

I also enjoyed his Hendrix tribute:

There are a number of recordings with Huong Thanh that follow the Vietnamese folk song link of Tales from Vietnam (the singer on that disc).

Nice playing on this disc by Italian trumpet player Paulo Fresu too:

A great live player too - he did a storming trio concert at Cheltenham a few years back.

You are a mine of information and it is usually expensive for me to read your posts

I have one other recording which is " Tales from Veit-Nam", this album also includes Paulo Fresu. Did you read the spread on him in this month Jazzwise?

Che.

[Guest che]

He also has a pretty cool website and you can listen to some clips of his music.

Che.

[A Lark Ascending]

Yes, I saw the Jazzwise piece.

Add to your overdraft with those Huong Thanh discs (you are more likely to see them under 'World Music' in the shops). I'm currently playing the most recent - Mangustao - which also has Fresu. I particularly like the contribution of Paul McCandless (of Oregon fame) - I believe he's on the new Le disc.

Paolo Fresu is worth following in his own right. There's a great quintet disc recorded in Montreal under fellow-trumpeter Enrico Rava's name and including Stefan Bollani on piano (another tremendous player):

Nice long versions of tunes associated with Miles...and not the usual ones!

[WD45]

Hi.

I have just been given a copy of the latest album by the Paris based Vietnamese guitarist.

This is a very good album and it seems that much of the music has a Taoist influence. I will listen to it more and let you know what I think. Anyone familier with this album or his music in general?

Che.

I just saw this on Jazzmatazz and was intrigued.

[Guest che]

Yes, I saw the Jazzwise piece.

Add to your overdraft with those Huong Thanh discs (you are more likely to see them under 'World Music' in the shops). I'm currently playing the most recent - Mangustao - which also has Fresu. I particularly like the contribution of Paul McCandless (of Oregon fame) - I believe he's on the new Le disc.

Paolo Fresu is worth following in his own right. There's a great quintet disc recorded in Montreal under fellow-trumpeter Enrico Rava's name and including Stefan Bollani on piano (another tremendous player):

Nice long versions of tunes associated with Miles...and not the usual ones!

At this rate I will need to see my bank manager

Yes McCandless is on the new CD along with Art Landa on piano and Jamey Haddad on drums and percussion.

Just finished listening to it again.

You will be aware that he has 'survived' cancer and his philosophical beliefs seem to be reflected in the music, he fells that this is one of the things that helped him get through the diagnosis of cancer.

I like this album.

Che.

[Guest che]

Hi.

I have just been given a copy of the latest album by the Paris based Vietnamese guitarist.

This is a very good album and it seems that much of the music has a Taoist influence. I will listen to it more and let you know what I think. Anyone familier with this album or his music in general?

Che.

I just saw this on Jazzmatazz and was intrigued.

I would recommend the album, I am relatively new to his music but this is something special.

Che.

[A Lark Ascending]

Yes, I recall reading about the cancer around the time 'Purple' came out. Good to see he's pulled through.

[Guest che]

Yes, I recall reading about the cancer around the time 'Purple' came out. Good to see he's pulled through.

Yes it is a good end to a story.

Like many people who are diagnosed with cancer, he seemed to draw something from the experience, and turn this into something positive and another one of his projects. The result for me is pretty good.

He says that during the treatment he developed further his interest in Chinese philosophy, and in particular to Taoist thought and this seems to come out in this album.

Che.

[Alon Marcus]

I had a chance of listening to his record called "Miracles". Nice album with Peter Erskine and Marc Johnson. He is a very good guitar player. Looks like this album is really hard to get.

Another album with Fresu and Le I like is Metamorfosi