Trumpeter, Composer and Educator, Cuong Vu joins the conversation for Episode #007. Originally born in Vietnam and having grown up largely in Seattle, WA, Cuong went on to attend the New England Conservatory of Music, and experienced more than a decade on the New York City jazz and avant garde scene.
Now a Professor of Jazz Studies back in his home town of Seattle at the University of Washington, he remains a critically acclaimed musician for his innovative approach to the Trumpet, Timbre, and Improvisation in performance and on recordings.
His longtime collaborators, Bassist, Stomu Takeishi, and, Drummer, Ted Poor, feature prominently in Cuong Vu's works as a trio and quartet. With the expanded palate of musicians such as Bill Frisell, Myra Melford, or Chris Speed, and opportunities to work with boundary pushers such as Laurie Anderson and David Bowie, Cuong has added his signature approach on numerous recordings.
His latest reunites him with, Guitarist, Pat Metheny, having recorded on and performed in support of The Pat Metheny Group's grammy award winning albums, Speaking of Now, and, The Way Up. The Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny is an energetic outing that places the voice of the trio on equal footing with Metheny's meticulous improvisation.
Under a flight path of the SEA/TAC airport, we discuss the new record, Wynton, Charles Ives, Music Industry Secrets, A Cautionary Tale about Smoking Pot, and the Seattle Improvised Music Scene.
cuongvu.com