Friends in Jazz
Our music reviewer recently caught up with two musicians making a difference in Vietnamese jazz.
If there’s one person and one institution that has played a significant part in the ongoing Vietnamese jazz revival it’s Håkan Rydin and the Malmö Music Academy in Sweden where he’s professor of jazz piano. And if there’s one excellent example of the kind of player/teacher who’s leading this new wave it’s Håkan’s first Vietnamese student, pianist Nguyen Manh. Håkan was in town last week and played a sublime gig at the Academy of Music in Hanoi last Monday. Like the long diplomatic relations between the two countries, Håkan and Manh are carrying on that tradition of friendship. In their company you can feel the mutual respect that comes out of a student/teacher relationship that has matured over the years.
Reflecting on the development of Vietnamese jazz over the last decade, the Swedish pianist recognised that when he first started teaching Vietnamese jazz musicians in 2006 they all wanted to copy their greats. But over time outlooks have evolved and more pride, recognition and integration in Vietnam’s own rich musical heritage have emerged. This is leading to some interesting developments in composition and harmonic explorations from some of the younger players capably led by the example of the teachers at the Hanoi Music Academy’s Jazz Department. This evolution of Vietnamese jazz is set to make some big jumps now the strategic pieces are all in place – a group of forward-looking teachers in the Jazz Department, cultural institutions in Vietnam regularly supporting jazz and bringing over quality performers, some quality young musical role models such as Manh, Bao Long and Quyen Dac and scholarships and learning opportunities in Sweden and elsewhere all in the mix. Now we are starting to see all the stars in this complex musical constellation shine together these are exciting times indeed for jazz lovers.
With young Vietnamese jazz players regularly going to Sweden to study, around one per year since 2006, a new confidence is emerging in technical ability and performing craft. And with Håkan, their teacher, a thoughtful, quiet man with a pure teacher’s heart, his ability to make friends here and lead by example in his clear, assured playing is part of this dream formula.
Words and photographs by Paul Zetter
| Paul Zetter is an accomplished jazz musician, knowledgable fan and enthusiastic writer and reviewer. He also writes his own blog dedicated to reviews of jazz piano trios. Read more of his writing and listen to him perform some of his own original music on the piano. |
