A boost for Vietnam’s jazz scene

The first international jazz festival recently organized in Nha Trang City left a deep impression on the participating artists. Many people considered this festival a boost for Vietnam’s jazz scene.

Attractive music playground for artists

Jazz is not easy for music listeners to relate to. This is a common comment about this genre of music. It can be one of the reasons why jazz is not so popular in Vietnam compared to other genres of music. Many singers and artists like to sing and perform jazz, but they often choose small stages with audience who love, understand and enjoy jazz. The first international jazz festival jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee created an attractive playground for jazz artists and singers of Vietnam. Vietnam when they have the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience, as well as watch and learn from world-famous artists, singers, and bands.

Impromptu collaboration between jazz legend Chico Freeman and the band with artist Tran Manh Tuan (seated) in a Vietnam folk song

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Provincial People's Committee to organize the 1st International Jazz Program in Nha Trang has recently opened an attractive playground for Vietnamese jazz artists and singers to perform in front of a big audience as well as learn from world-famous artists, singers, and bands. 

The first international jazz festival in Vietnam featured famous domestic singers such as Thu Minh, My Linh, Tung Duong, Phuong Vy, My Anh; the artists and musicians, who have been associated with jazz for a long time namely Tran Manh Tuan, Nguyen Hai Phong; and top jazz bands in Vietnam such as Saigon Winds, Brothers, Glory, Hong Kien Band, Metronome, etc. Especially, the festival featured the world's leading jazz artists, who were Chico Freeman and a band from the US, Amanda Lee and a band from Singapore; Lisa Sung and a band from South Korea.

Musician Nguyen Hai Phong was positively impressed by and highly appreciated the art quality of this international jazz festival. That was the first time Phong had performed with the world’s well-known jazz artists. Phong and his crew had delicately prepared for the festival. Jazz is not the favorite music genre of many people; therefore, it requires responsibilities and dedication to compose jazz music. 

Expecting new development

According to experts, Vietnam excels in jazz with international level jazz bands and artists. Many heads of states and foreign tourists coming to Vietnam enjoyed jazz performances at jazz shows. Jazz legend Chico Freeman said, “I am honored to be invited to perform at the jazz festival in Nha Trang City. My first impression of this place is that the city is wonderful and beautiful with the harmony of mountains, sea and cool weather.” He is also impressed by the hospitality of Nha Trang people and especially the creativeness of Vietnamese artists in creating and composing traditional music and songs with jazz.

Singer Thu Minh and Lavender dance troupe perform in the first international jazz festival

The first international jazz festival with the participation of many famous Vietnamese and international artists was a bridge between jazz artists in the country and around the world. Through the festival, Vietnam’s jazz will have new development, according to Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Reportedly, many positive remarks regarding the jazz festival were shared within the groups of jazz lovers on various social media platforms. As said by Carla Gussen (Brazilian), in her country, big music events, especially jazz ones, often receive great attention from the public, especially tourists. “If you can maintain the regular organization of jazz events, it will contribute to the growth of tourism industry," added Carla Gussen.
The 1st international jazz festival in Nha Trang City was a meaningful and significant activity in the period when the locality is trying to attract tourists, especially international tourists, as well as build the image of Khanh Hoa as a destination for national and international events. With the success of the festival, Khanh Hoa Province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue cooperating to make it an annual music event in Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa, according to Dinh Van Thieu, Deputy Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee.

Giang Dinh
Translated by H.N