VietNamNet Bridge – Saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan will hold a concert with the Viet Nam National Symphony and Orchestra on November 26 and 27 at 8pm at the Ha Noi Opera House.

Sax appeal: Saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan will hold his first concert with the Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra. — Photo tranmanhtuan.com

This is the first time Tuan, one of the leading saxophonists in the country, has collaborated with the Viet Nam National Symphony and Orchestra (VNSO).

The concert will feature popular ballads arranged by Tuan, such as Gui Gio Cho May Ngan Bay (Send the Wind to the Flying Clouds) by Doan Chuan and Tu Linh, Em Oi Ha Noi Pho (Darling, Ha Noi Streets) by Phu Quang and Ha Trang (White Summer) by Trinh Cong Son.

Tuan will also perform some compositions of his own, which mix jazz and Vietnamese folk music.

The pieces are titled: Mua Roi (Falling Rain), Buom Mo (Butterfly Dream), Trang Non (New Moon), Thang Cuoi (Fellow Cuoi), Ngay Mua (Harvest), Ru Rung (Jungle Lullaby) and Sen (Lotus).

Tuan will share the stage with his daughter An Tran, also a saxophonist; conductor Honna Tetsuji; Australian pianist Allan Zavod; dan tranh (zither) performer Kieu Anh; and a number of folk musicians.

Born in Ha Noi into a family of cai luong (reformed opera) performers, Tuan began playing the saxophone when he was 7, and has played for more than 30 years.

He was the first Vietnamese musician to receive a scholarship from the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Tuan formed a group called the Orient Band in 1991. It won first prize in a national music competition, earning Tuan the title of Best Saxophonist in Viet Nam.

In 1993, he performed his first solo concert at the Opera House in Ha Noi.

In 2002, Tuan and his family moved to HCM City, where he taught at the HCM City Conservatory of Music.

Tuan has released eight solo albums, and collaborated with many well-know Vietnamese singers. His tours have taken him to Europe, Russia, China, Thailand, Singapore, and the US.

He has performed with numerous international musicians – most recently with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Derek Nash.

VNS/VNN