Jazz, a slightly reckless but always honest artist

'If jazz were a person, it would certainly be a wandering artist, free, a bit reckless, mischievous, but always strangely honest. Not noisy, not needing to prove himself, but every time he speaks, he makes people turn to look...'

HOANH performed the first night of The Flow In Jazz project series on the evening of May 16 in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: HO LAM

The inspiration of jazz made HOANH, an independent artist in Saigon, decide to do the first thing in his life.

HOANH builds the art-education project The Flow In Jazz , as a series of interactive performances, exchanges and storytelling programs, to explore the depth of jazz as a cultural, social and historical flow associated with human transformation.

Finding the roots of jazz through every sound

The project series kicked off with a concert held in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of May 16, leading listeners back to the roots of jazz from the historical ups and downs and the cultural foundation of African Americans, thereby seeing the transformation and global influence of this music genre.

These are songs that carry the vitality and stories of the black community.

Like the jingling melody of the hymn Wade In The Water , it was a code that helped slaves escape through the Underground Railroad, a network that helped them escape slavery to the North or Canada.

Or the opening song of the West End Blues show represents an important turning point when Louis Armstrong transformed jazz from a collective music into a place to celebrate individual creative personality, opening up the concept of the modern solo in jazz.

And the nostalgia of freedom and the golden age of youth in Spencer Williams' Basin Street Blues . Basin Street is located in Storyville, the vibrant entertainment center of early 20th century New Orleans, where jazz began to flourish among the black artist community.

The performance of artists Le Toan (saxophone), Trong Nghia (piano), Anh Tuan (drums), Dao Minh Pha (double bass), with the guidance and lead vocals of HOANH, brought many emotions, sometimes calm and thoughtful, sometimes excited and bustling.

HOANH sings the song Summertime, expressing the dreams and hopes of poor workers in the summer - Video: HO LAM

Pursuing jazz is a conscious choice.

While still a student at the Diplomatic Academy, HOANH first came into contact with jazz through covers of Jazz Standard songs on YouTube around 2020. At that time, the memory he remembered most about jazz was the live session series of 8 the Theatre, an arts organization with the orientation of diversifying the music consumption habits of young people.

Along with participating in musical activities during his student years, HOANH was urged to learn more about the Hanoi jazz scene, then attend live sessions at jazz clubs, as well as support jazz-related projects during his time working full-time in the media industry.

From here, HOANH met teachers, friends, and kindred spirits to find artistic freedom in jazz. The two teachers who had the greatest influence on his pursuit of this music genre were jazz singer Thuy Bui and music director Nguyen Dinh Phuc.

Drummer Anh Tuan

Three years ago, on International Jazz Day (April 30), HOANH had the opportunity to stand on a professional jazz stage for the first time. It was the program celebrating International Jazz Day 2022 at Cool Cats Jazz Club - JW Marriott Hanoi.

Confiding in Tuoi Tre Online , HOANH said that a few friends sometimes whispered to him about his "courage" in giving up his job and studies at that time to pursue music. According to HOANH, choosing to pursue jazz was an extremely conscious choice after a long period of thinking.

"How an artist expresses himself in jazz or his understanding of music and life, all are reflected in the way he presents himself with music on stage.

For me, pursuing jazz or music in general is not just a career decision, but a way for me to learn for life. Learn about music, people, the world and about myself" - HOANH confided.

Saxophone Le Toan and Double bass Dao Minh Pha

The Flow In Jazz project, founded by HOANH, is expected to take place over 2 years, with the aim of telling the complete story of jazz's development in the flow of time.

This is to give music lovers a closer look at jazz; artists a more multi-dimensional and complete perspective on the music genre they are practicing; and to motivate the founders themselves to deepen their knowledge and skills within jazz.

LAKE LAM

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/jazz-mot-ga-nghe-si-hoi-bat-can-nhung-luon-thanh-that-20250517025607577.htm