Cuong Vu (Vietnamese: Cường Vũ; born 19 September 1969) is a Vietnamese-American jazz trumpeter. In addition to his own work as a bandleader, Vu was a member of the Pat Metheny Group. He is the first American person of Vietnamese descent to win a Grammy Award. He won the Best Contemporary Jazz Album award twice through his work with the band. He is currently associate professor and chair of jazz studies at the University of Washington.
Biography Born in Saigon on September 19, 1969, Vu immigrated to Seattle with his family when he was six. At 11, he began to play the trumpet. He received a scholarship from the New England Conservatory of Music.
After graduation, Vu moved to New York City in 1994 and formed the group Ragged Jack with Jamie Saft, Andrew D'Angelo, and Jim Black. Vu has worked with Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, Dave Douglas, Myra Melford, Gerry Hemingway, and Mitchell Froom.
While a member of the Pat Metheny Group, Vu won two Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album: Speaking of Now, The Way Up; and one nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the song "As It Is." He worked with Metheny mainly as a trumpeter, but also contributed vocals, guitar and various small percussion.
Vu's trio consists of bassist Stomu Takeishi and drummer Ted Poor. He also serves as chair and professor in the jazz studies department of the University of Washington's School of Music.
In 2018, Vu returned to Vietnam to perform his series of concerts Jazz Through Time in Ho Chi Minh City.
Discography
As leader Ragged Jack (Avant, 1997) Bound (Omnitone, 2000) Pure (Knitting Factory, 2000) Come Play with Me (Knitting Factory, 2001) It's Mostly Residual (ArtistShare/EMI, 2005) Vu-Tet (ArtistShare, 2007) Leaps of Faith (Origin, 2011) Holy Abyss (Cuneiform / E1, 2012) Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny (Nonesuch, 2016) Ballet (The Music of Michael Gibbs) (RareNoiseRecords, 2017) Change In The Air (RareNoiseRecords, 2018)
As sideman 1993 – While You Were Out – Orange Then Blue 1996 – Too Close to the Pole – Bobby Previte 1997 – Sanctuary – Dave Douglas 1997 – Interpretations of Lessness – Andy Laster 1997 – Other Pocket – Jeff Song 1997 – Rules of Engagement – Jeff Song 1997 – Yeah/No – Chris Speed 1999 – Chamber Works – Gerry Hemingway 1999 – Deviantics – Chris Speed 1999 – Hold the Elevator: Live in Europe & Other Haunts – Orange Then Blue 2000 – Emit – Chris Speed 2000 – Luciano's Dream – Oscar Noriega 2000 – The Hollow World – Assif Tsahar & the Brass Reeds Ensemble 2001 – "Your Turn to Drive" – David Bowie (single) 2001 – Life on a String – Laurie Anderson 2002 – Speaking of Now – Pat Metheny Group 2002 – Window Silver Bright – Andy Laster 2003 – Speaking of Now (DVD) – Pat Metheny Group 2004 – Transition Sonic – Matthias Lupri 2004 – Where the Two Worlds Touch – Myra Melford 2005 – The Way Up – Pat Metheny Group 2005 – Swell Henry – Chris Speed 2006 – Grill Music – Jesper Løvdal 2006 – The Image of Your Body – Myra Melford 2006 – The Way Up (DVD) – Pat Metheny Group 2008 – Coziness Kills – Jesper Løvdal 2008 – Incendio – Los Dorados 2009 – The Whole Tree Gone – Myra Melford 2010 – Closer – Wasabi Trio meet Cuong Vu 2010 – Gagarin – Mickey Finn + Cuong Vu 2010 – Speak 2014 – Alastor: Book of Angels Volume 21 – Eyvind Kang 2019 – Overseas – Nguyên Lê
Awards Year Nominees Category Nominated for Result2003 Cuong Vu (As a member of Pat Metheny Group) Best Pop Instrumental Performance "As It Is" Best Contemporary Jazz Album Speaking of Now 2005 The Way Up
See also Asian Americans in arts and entertainment List of Grammy Award winners and nominees by country
References
External links Cuong Vu official site audio sample Interview
Review of Naked Truth album Vu is on Cuong Vu at Dutch television show 'Vrije Geluiden' with Bob van Luijt and Yonga Sun