Nguyen Huynh Thai Binh frequently performs with the Brass Orchestra.

Born into a family with no artistic background, Thai Binh harbored a deep love for music from a young age. From the sixth grade, he was exposed to brass instruments and joined the church brass band, initially as a "self-taught" musician. Naturally drawn to hip-hop and the fiery energy of rap, he was strangely captivated by the sounds of brass ensembles and the initial impression of the sacred orchestra. He devoted passionate practice sessions to brass instruments, and during his leisure time, he would play brass instrument pieces and immerse himself in the music.

The first type of harmonica Binh used was the baritone, an easy-to-learn Western-style harmonica that suited his physique. As a self-taught musician, he taught himself music and breath control with his friends. At that time, his family, seeing his passion for the harmonica, still thought he was just playing for fun, as entertainment in his free time, and unlikely to pursue it as a profession. Following his parents' advice, he chose to study tourism to start his career. When COVID-19 appeared, with more free time, he took the opportunity to learn more about Western-style harmonicas. This was also the time when Thai Binh seriously tried his hand at the alto saxophone and was completely captivated. The melodious sound of the saxophone became a sound that he cherished with a youthful, intense love, and it helped him overcome the stormy COVID-19 period.

Graduating right when the pandemic hit and the tourism industry was stagnant, Thai Binh decided to have a serious conversation with his mother – who had always worried about his future as an artist and discouraged him from pursuing a career in music. He asked his mother for two years to prove himself, to see "what he could achieve with this work." His father, a music lover who had sacrificed his passion for the sake of making a living, silently encouraged his wife to accept their son's choice. With his parents' approval, in 2019, Thai Binh enrolled in a music program at the Hue Academy of Music, officially escaping the label of being an amateur by receiving formal training. It was also at this time that, at the invitation of a friend, he joined the Hue Brass Band, performing with musician Le Quang Vu, the band's director, and other brass band enthusiasts in Hue. These performances further honed his brass playing skills and helped him mature.

In 2022, Binh began receiving invitations to perform solo saxophone gigs. Upon receiving payment after his first solo performance, Thai Binh was overjoyed, as he had never imagined he could earn money from playing the saxophone, from his passion for art. This was also the moment Binh proved to his family that he had made the right choice in pursuing music, determined to follow a professional path. At the end of 2022, Nguyen Huynh Thai Binh appeared on the Winter Reunion program, his first major stage performance. But it wasn't until 2023, within the framework of the Academy's Community Music Science project, that his family and friends truly witnessed Thai Binh's passion on stage. He shared: “That day, I used the saxophone my mother gave me to perform, and the performance moved her deeply. From then on, my mother, who initially didn't want me to choose music as a profession, truly believed in and respected my passion.”

In terms of music, Thai Binh has two mentors who guided and helped him: Mr. Tran Quang Yen of the Hue Academy of Music, who taught him specialized skills, and Mr. Le Quang Vu of the Brass Orchestra, who guided him in music theory, foundational knowledge, and core musical knowledge. Speaking about Thai Binh, musician Le Quang Vu shared: “In the beginning, Binh was very shy and timid; his trumpet playing and sight-reading (reading and playing music simultaneously) were weak, but he had the qualities of a performer. He diligently studied on his own through books, websites, and learned from teachers and friends. Whenever he performed with the Brass Orchestra, Binh always respected the exercises and listened to his teacher's instructions to blend in with the orchestra during the performance.” These qualities have helped Thai Binh change significantly, developing his skills, performance style, and trumpet playing. Commenting on Binh's solo performance, teacher Vu said that Thai Binh's sound "expresses passionate enthusiasm, with a sweet, gentle tone, sometimes slightly languid...". The artistic nature of a saxophonist is becoming increasingly evident in the young man's playing.

Having completed his intermediate-level program ahead of schedule, Binh continued his studies at the regular university level. Currently a second-year student at the Hue Academy of Music, he is working on a project to create his own musical works. As a native of Hue, he has always wanted to introduce his hometown to audiences outside the province and internationally. Aiming to complete the project by graduation, Thai Binh is determined to create saxophone solos that capture the beauty and people of the ancient capital of Hue, leaving his musical mark on the city's musical landscape.

Pham Phuoc Chau