Cuong Vu, jazz studies

Widely recognized by jazz critics as a leader of a new generation of innovative musicians, Cuong Vu has lent his trumpet-playing talents to a diverse range of artists, including Pat Metheny, Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, Dave Douglas, Myra Melford, Cibo Matto, Mitchell Froom, and Chris Speed.

Born in Vietnam, he emigrated to Seattle at age six and began playing the trumpet at age 11. He was awarded a full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, where he received his bachelor of music in Jazz studies degree with a distinction in performance. After moving to New York in 1994, Vu led several groups, most notably his trio with Stomu Takeishi (bass) and Ted Poor (drums), and toured extensively throughout the world, as well as giving clinics and master classes throughout the US and Europe.

Vu has released four recordings -- Bound (OmniTone), Pure (Knitting Factory Records), Come Play With Me (Knitting Factory Records) and It's Mostly Residual (ArtistShare) -- to critical acclaim, each considered among the best recordings of their respective years.

The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Vu was awarded the Colbert Award for Excellence: The Downtown Arts Project Emerging Artist Award. In 2002 and 2006, he received the Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album as a member of the Pat Metheny Group. He was recognized as one of the top 50 young jazz artists in an article on “The New Masters” in the British magazine Classic CD, and in 2006 was named the Best International Jazz Artist by the Italian Jazz Critics’ Society.

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