Cuong Vu - Career in Music

Career in Music

Immediately after graduating NEC with honors, Vu moved to New York City, and quickly established himself as one of the most innovative and versatile young trumpeters in the jazz scene with his first co-led group, Ragged Jack (with Jamie Saft, Andrew D'Angelo and Jim Black) and his sideman work with many of the "Downtown Creative Music" artists whose music scene revolved around clubs such as the Knitting Factory and Tonic. Although often labeled as an avant-garde player, he does not limit himself to this type of playing, preferring to use influences from many forms of contemporary jazz, as well as rock, electronica, groove and ambient musics.

Vu has worked with visionaries including Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, Dave Douglas, Myra Melford, Gerry Hemingway, and Mitchell Froom. He has recorded and toured with Pat Metheny as trumpeter and vocalist.

Cuong has also led various groups, most notably his CV Trio with bassist Stomu Takeishi and drummer Ted Poor, and Vu-Tet (featuring Chris Speed). His recordings display elements from seemingly disparate musical styles, yet blur the boundaries of these genres while showcasing his innovative approach to sound, texture and group improvisation.

Although Vu is shy about considering himself a bona fide composer due to his immense respect and reverence for his heroes in classical composition, Cuong has nonetheless developed his own unique compositional style that concisely sets his bands' improvisational approach and intimately draws from each of the members of his bands. Jazz critics internationally have hailed his writing as brimming with ingenuity and originality.

In 2003 and again in 2006 Cuong received Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, for his work on the Pat Metheny Group's 2002 album Speaking of Now and 2005 album "The Way Up".

Cuong currently resides in Seattle where he’s recognized by the transformation he's brought to the University of Washington’s Jazz Program and its impact on a local group of young, boundary pushing musicians who have formed a burgeoning scene revolving around The Racer Sessions and it's extension, Table and Chairs Records.