Nguyên Lê
Nguyên Lê
Nguyên Lê Biography
„A deep-minded musician, filled with mystery, whose playing is never meaningless“ (Télérama )
“ Magician guitarist “ (Jazz Mag, Guitare & Claviers)
Like a funambulist, Nguyên Lê skips from rock burning intensity to Asian refinement, from the meticulous search of new sounds to the catching joy of improvisation.
Born in Paris from vietnamese parents, he began to play drums at the age of 15, then took up guitar & electric bass. After graduating in Visual Arts, he majored in Philosophy, writing a thesis on Exoticism. Then he devoted to music, creating „ULTRAMARINE“ (1983), a multi-ethnic band whose CD “ DÉ “ has been considered „1989′ s best World Music album“ Philippe Conrath,
Libération.
Nguyên LE is a self-taught musician, with a wide scope of interests : Rock & Funk (Jim Cuomo, Madagascar tour 84), Jazz standards & contemporary Jazz (bass player with Marc Ducret, guitar player with Eric Barret), Improvised Music (Yves Robert), Singers (Ray Charles), Contemporary Music (André Almuro, Tona Scherchen, Marius Constant, Mauricio Kagel), Ethnic Music :
African & Caribbean with ULTRAMARINE , Algerian with Safy Boutella & Cheb Mami, Indian with Kakoli, Turkish with Kudsi Erguner, Vietnamese with his „Dan Bau“ (traditional one-stringed instrument) teacher Truong Tang. In Sept. 87 he was chosen by director Antoine Hervé to play with the O. N. J. (French National Jazz Orchestra). Within this big band, he played with such musicians as Johnny Griffin, Louis Sclavis, Didier Lockwood, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Randy Brecker, Toots Thielemans, Courtney Pine, Steve Lacy, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gil Evans, Quincy Jones. Nguyên LE‘ s work also deals with programming synthetizers, effects & computers as well as writing orchestral pieces : „PROCESSOR“ composed, arranged & recorded on CD „O.N.J. 87“ & „LUNIK II“ co-arranged with Dominique Borker & performed by the O.N.J. 1989.
In Sept. 89 he records ULTRAMARINE’s 2nd album „DÉ“ and in May 90, his first album as a leader : “ MIRACLES “ recorded in the U.S.A. with Art LANDE, Marc JOHNSON & Peter ERSKINE. At the same time he works with such musicians as Michel Portal, Miroslav Vitous, Trilok Gurtu, J. F. Jenny Clarke, Aldo Romano, Daniel Humair, Dewey Redman, Andy Emler, Jon Christensen, Nana Vasconcelos, Glenn Ferris, Christof Lauer, Paolo Fresu, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor …
In May 92, after a month tour with Paul McCANDLESS on winds, Art Lande (p), Dean Johnson (b) & Joël Allouche (d), he records his 2nd album ZANZIBAR, which gets the « ffff » award by Télérama. In Jan. 93 he records „INIT“, a trio with André Ceccarelli, François Moutin & guest Bob Berg, while setting up a new band on the music of Jimi Hendrix, w/ Corin Curschellas (voc), Steve Argüelles (d), Richard Bona (b).
Since Jan. 93 he’s been a frequent guest soloist of Köln’s WDR Big band, especially with composer/director Vince MENDOZA. Nguyên Lê plays on three of his projects : „Jazzpaña“, „Sketches“ w/ Dave LIEBMAN, Charlie MARIANO, Peter Erskine, & „Downtown“, w/ Russell Ferrante. In April 94 he’s the guest soloist of „The New Yorker“, a suite by Bob BROOKMEYER, with Dieter Ilg (b) & Danny Gottlieb (d). With these two musicians he set his first trio, & recorded MILLION WAVES (ACT 9221-2) in Dec. 94 . About this CD, Télérama writes : „This trio brings him to some musical spaces which he had not even imagined, & which are pure poetry“.
In the meantime, he’s playing in trio with Michel Benita(b) & Peter Erskine, recording on Michel Portal’s new album with Ralph TOWNER (g), & working with Ornette COLEMAN on one of his contemporary music pieces, „Freedom Statue“. In June 95 he’s invited by WDR BigBand in „Azure Moon“, with the YELLOWJACKETS & Vince Mendoza. In July 95, in Stuttgart Festival, he’s one of the guest guitar players to celebrate the „Universe of Jimi Hendrix“, besides Trilok Gurtu, Terry BOZZIO, Cassandra WILSON, Jack BRUCE, Vernon REID, David TORN, Victor BAILEY, Pharoah SANDERS… Recently he has been playing with John McLaughlin, Michel Petrucciani, Markus Stockhausen, Enrico Rava, Ray Anderson, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Dave Douglas, Wolfgang Puschnig…
In April 96, Nguyên Lê creates TALES FROM VIÊT-NAM (ACT 9225-2), a project on Vietnamese music, with a 8-piece band blending jazz & traditional musicians. With stage director P. J. San Bartolomé, he starts “ Of the Moon & the Wind „, a complete show where traditional & contemporary vietnamese dancers are integrated to the „Tales from Viêt-Nam“ orchestra. The CD hasc received a great welcoming from international critics : Diapason d’Or, Chocc du Monde de la Musique, Choc of Year 1996 Jazzman, 2nd best CD 96 forc JAZZTHING (Germany), Best CD 96 on radio TRS 2 (CH), „a minor masterpiece“
JAZZTIMES (USA).
On 4/97 Nguyên Lê releases his 5th CD, 3 TRIOS (ACT 9245-2), with Marcc Johnson/ Peter Erskine, Dieter Ilg/ Danny Gottlieb & Renaud Garçia Fons/c Mino Cinelu. JAZZIZ Magazine USA says : « At times, jazz guitar can sound staid – but not in the case of N. Lê. He’s forever breaking boundaries for our benefit ». He has recorded 2 CDs with Paolo Fresu’s quartet : « Angel » (2/98) & « Metamorfosi » (4/99). On 5/98, 6th N. Lê record : MAGHREB & FRIENDS (ACT 9261-2). an exploration of Maghreb musical traditions & a deepb collaboration with Algerian musicians. « Far from a false world music, N. Lê simply touches, with force & intensity, to universality » F. Medioni. N. Lê produced the 1rst CD of Huong Thanh, Moon & Wind (ACT 9269-2), entirely done in his home studio. He also has been nominated for the « Victoires de la Musique 1999 » award. His last CD, BAKIDA (ACT 9275-2), based on his regular trio with Renaud Garçia Fons (b) & Tino di Geraldo (perc, dr) plus guests from all over the world like Kudsi Erguner, Chris Potter, Carlos Benavent… This CD has been voted „best jazz album of the year“ by „CD Compact“ (Spain). ELB, a new trio CD has just been recorded in Rainbow studios, Oslo, with Peter Erskine & Michel Benita. He’s touring with Terri Lyne Carrington’s band, with Geri Allen, Matt Garrison & Gary Thomas & plays with Maria Schneider. Sept 2002 : 2nd CD of Huong Thanh Dragonfly (ACT 9293-2). In June 2002 he’s invited by the Metropole Orchestra (NL) to play his music arranged by Vince Mendoza. PURPLE (ACT 9410-2), an album celebrating Jimi Hendrix is released in sept 2002. In Sept. 2002 it’s n° 1 on the charts of UK magazine „Jazzwise“. Mangustao (ACT 9423-2), Huong Thanh’s 3rd album, released in Jan. 2004, is awarded as „Choc de la Musique“ by french magazine „Le Monde de la Musique“.
With his old friends Art Lande, Paul McCandless & Jamey Haddad he releases in March 2005: “WALKING ON THE TIGER’S TAIL” (ACT 9432-2): “A universe where the alliance between acoustic and electric, improvisation and writing, inner delicacy and virtuosic expressivity reach the ideal balance.” (Le Monde)
For his album HOMESCAPE (ACT 9444-2) he has invited his friends, the trumpet player Paolo Fresu and singer and oud-player Dhafer Youssef to his homestudio. The duos express the multiple musical experiences and influences of the artists and are mixed with electronic sounds created by Nguyên himself.
Nguyên Lê “Silk & Sand” Trio
Nguyen Lê git /; Chris Jennings b & Rhani Krija perc (ex Sting)
new ACT CD Spring 2023 !! https://ACTMusic.lnk.to/SilkandSand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD9I30uWDZw&feature=youtu.be
In the thirty years since Nguyên Lê becam e the ACT label’s first exclusive artist, critics have described each one of his albums as a „masterpiece“. This fact is all themore remarkable when one considers quite how eclectic the guitarist has been, quite how determined always to be striving for something new. The latest, „Silk and Sand“ will be no exception. The 63-year-old is one of those rare artists whose personal imprint of sound and technique is instantly recognisable, and whose compositional style is unique. What he achieves is indeed mastery in the truest sense.
Lê was self-taught as a m usician. He started out on the drums, only switching to guitar later. His academic studies were in fine art and philosophy, and it was only thereafter that he embarked on a career in music. His artistry, therefo- re, defines itself as being not of any particular school – he has developed very much according to his own precepts – and he also has cultural horizons which extend far beyond music. Another important principle with Lê is that he has always seen himself as a builder of bridges between gen- res, styles and continents. „I am the fusion of cultures per- sonified,“ he says. Lê is a world musician in the most authentic sense, in whom European – and especially French – musical culture has always found a meeting-place with his Southeast Asian roots, and he combines these not just with American traditions of jazz and rock, but also with music from other continents. From his first, strongly Afro- Caribbean band, Ultramarine, his journey has taken himthrough albums like „Zanzibar“, „Tales from Vietnam“ and Urban Folktales“, then involved his participation in the groundbreaking neo-flamenco project „Jazzpaña“, his colla- boration with the traditional Vietnamese singer Huong Thanh, the funk-oriented trio E_L_B, and his multiple-award-winning Jimi Hendrix project.
In the wake of a num ber of global fusion and rock ventures in recent years with international stars, „Silk and Sand“ marks a return to the roots. Here we find a more refined and quieter kind of music-making, as the title im- plies, and also with more jazz in the mix. Lê also points out the connections with his earlier work: „On my album ‚Three Trios‘ from 1996, I called two of the pieces „Silk“ and „Sand“: silk is precious and yet strong and it weaves the musicians‘ interplay together; the sand of the desert haunts the musician’s dreams of other places. Twenty-six years later, these tracks are like pebbles on the path, and they are still there.“
Lê lays them down over the North African rhythms of percussionist Rhani Krija – he has recently joined the group – and the massive but singing bass sound of Canadian Chris Jennings, who has worked alongside Lê on various projects since 2007. The opening album track „Red City“ is a wild, dynamic ride into the hustle and bustle of Asian or African cities, complete with urgent, clamorous voices. It gets rockier for „Onety-One“ and especially on „Tiger’s Dance“, and then calmer for the hymn-like „Moonstone“ and „The Waters of Ortigia“, with a melody that unfolds slowly and deliciously. „Baraka“ is strongly influenced by funk-infused African rhythms and has a teasing intro from Rhani Krija on the gimbri, and the final „Becoming Water“ brings together the melodies and timbres of the Maghreb and Southeast Asia in an irresistible and touching way.
The core trio with Jennings and Rhani is joined fortwo of the more elegiac pieces by Sylvain Barou on bansuri and duduk flutes, and by Miron Rafajlovic, who plays trumpet and flugelhorn on „Moonstone“. The return to Lê’s beginnings as an inspiration for new ideas is made clear by another of the guests appearing on „Silk and Sand“: Etienne Mbappé delivers a stupendous electric bass solo on „Baraka“. The Cameroonian, who became widely known for his work with Joe Zawinul, John McLaughlin Salif Keïta and others, was already a member of Lê’s first band Ultramarine. Thus, in an irresistible and enjoyable way, Lê’s „Silk and Sand“ doesn’t just – as ever – build bridges between Asia, Africa and Europe, and between jazz, rock and world music….but also between past, present and future. It is, and one can sense it… a masterpiece.
Nguyen Lê & Saiyuki
Nguyen Lê git
Prabhu Edouard tabla
Mieko Miyazaki koto
SAIYUKI is the Japanese name for the « Journey to the West », the renowned Chinese novel written in the 16th century by Wu Cheng’en.
This text relates the expedition to India, during the 8th century, of bonze Xuanzang , a quest for sacred buddhist texts. His main escort in this epic fantasy is Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King. a very mischievous character, obsessed by the secret of immortality. He‚s full of magic, can fly on the clouds or change himself in a genie or a fabulous monster. The Chinese Monkey King has also an Indian brother : Hanouman, one of the most popular gods of Hinduism. In China & Japan, the « Journey to the West » has always been an inspiration for some very diverse adaptations: painting rolls, Peking Opera, a Pop Opera from Damon Albarn, Mangas, TV serials, video games like Dragon Balll.
I would like to use this « Journey to the West » as the image of the journeys, real or imaginary, which bring the musicians of this band to create their music. Like a quest for a secret which has to go through the adventures of Elsewhere, while keeping the most precious treasure : our identity. From Viêt-Nam to India through Japan, we‚ll weave the threads of silk which draw an Asia with no borders. Every one has his own cardinal point – likewise the Western world aimed at by the Chinese novel is in fact India. The Center is plural, Dialogue has started, connections open up : let‚s enjoy !
Each Saiyuki musician is blessed with a double culture, coming from tradition & modernity altogether. Each one is a virtuoso of his very specific instrument. Prabhu & Mieko can be genuinely traditional. One has played with the living god of hindustani flute Hariprasad Chaurasia, whereas the other can a Japanese classical piece from 18th century.
But they are also living ethnic musicians, connoisseurs of styles & techniques of today‚s music, curious about new meetings & open to the potentialities our world can offer. My language is Jazz, but I have chosen to open it & to feed it with other essential cultures that fascinate me & remind me of my origins.
As a jazz musician I have as much fun improvising with them as with other great jazz musicians. The challenge is always there, as well as freedom & inspiration. Improvisation, this instantaneous understanding & creation process, will push away the limits of our cultural encounter. The program will be based on our own compositions, new interpretations of traditional melodies as well as the use of electronic soundscapes.
Mieko Miyazaki started the Koto at 9. She learned Koto & Shamisen at the famous Tokyo National University for Arts & Music. While still a student, she performed for the Emperor & the Empress of Japan. After getting brilliant diplomas, she became a highly demanded performer, mostly for Radio/TV shows & official events. She also started a career of songwriter & composer for TV, Radio, children songs & advertising. Since 1999 she has focused on her own projects, special bands & personal albums (10 on her name since 1995). She has lived in France since 2006 & multiplies cross culture meetings : Koto2Evans, a jazz quartet plying Bill Evans music on Koto, Voce Ventu, a polyphonic choir from Corsica, her own trio with violin & accordion, her regular collaborations with vietnamese singer Huong Thanh & jazz guitarist Nguyên Lê.
Prabhu Edouard is one of the few Tabla specialists in Europe. He was born in 1969 in Trichy (India) & has lived in France since 1975. He won a grant from the Indian government for studying Tablas in Calcutta with master Shankar Gosh between 1993 & 1999. He performed all around the world with several indian music masters like Hariprasad Chaurasia, V.G. Jog, Lakshmi Shankar, Ashish Khan. Open to contemporary encounters, he played with jazz, fusion, classical, world musicians as diverse as David Liebman, Marc Ducret, Magic Malik , Didier Malherbe, Nawal, Kyffiz, Sri Hanuman, Mukta, Hati, Mario Laginha, El Hadj & also Maurice Béjart, Jean-Pierre Drouet, Ragunath Manet, the Chemirami family, & Jordi Savall. Prabhu Edouard is also member of the Band Saiyuki founded by the French Viatnames guitar player Nguyen Le.
DISCOGRAPHY
Programme Jungle – Ultramarine, (1985) Bloomdido BL0001
DÊ – Ultramarine, (1989) Musidisc 500052
Esimala – Ultramarine, (1991) Musidisc 500242
Pierre Louis Garcia – (1988) KPP 26
Wait – I.L.L.O.U.Z., (1988) Flat & Sharp 192422
Make Up – Sylvin Marc, (1990) JMS 052-2
Eurasie – Bruno Heuze, (1993) K Vox KVR 1006
Khora – Thierry David, (1994) K Vox KVR 1009
Strong Love Affair – Ray Charles, (1996) Qwest
Chansongs – Claude Nougaro, (1993) Phonogram 5211172
O.N.J. 88/89 – Orchestre National de Jazz, (1987) Label Bleu LBL 6511
African Dream – Orchestra National de Jazz, (1989) Label Bleu LBL 6521
Megaoctet – Andy Emler, (1990) Label Bleu LBL 6533
Headgames – Andy Emler, (1992) Label Bleu LBL 6553
Mejnoun – Safy Boutella, (1991) Indigo LBLC 2501
Anyway – Michel Portal, (1993) Label Bleu LBLC 6544
Cinemas – Michel Portal, (1995) Label Bleu LBLC 6574
Init – Ceccarelli/N. Lê/Moutin, (1993) Polygram 518265-2
Sketches – Vince Mendoza, (1994) WDR/ACT 892152
Miracles – Nguyên Lê, (1989) Musidisc 500102
Zanzibar – Nguyên Lê, (1992) Musidisc 500352
Million Waves – Nguyên Lê, (1995) ACT 9221-1
Tales from Viet-Nam – Nguyên Lê, (1996) ACT 9225-2
3 Trios – Nguyên Lê. (1997) ACT 9245-2
Maghreb & Friends Nguyên LÊ (1998) ACT 9261-2
MOON AND WIND Huong Thanh & Nguyên Lê (1999) ACT
Nguyên Lê Trio – Bakida – (2000) ACT 9275-2 – LC 07644
PURPLE Nguyên LE (2002) ACT 9410-2
Walking on the Tiger’s Tail Nguyên LE (2005) ACT 9432-2
HOMESCAPE Nguyên LE (2006) ACT 9444-2
FRAGILE BEAUTY Huong Thanh & Nguyên LE (2007) ACT 9451-2
SAIYUKI Nguyên LE (2009) ACT 9483-2
SIGNATURE EDITION Nguyên LE (2010) ACT 6004-2
SONGS OF FREEDOM Nguyên LE (2011) ACT 9506-2
DOC DAO Tung Duong & Nguyên Lê (2013) Dihavina (released only in Vietnam)
Celebrating the Dark Side of the Moon Nguyên LE (2014) ACT 9574-2
Nguyên Lê & Ngô Hông Quang : Hà Nội Duo ACT 9828-2
actual projects
Nguyên Lê “Silk & Sand” Trio
Nguyen Lê git /; Chris Jennings b & Rhani Krija perc (ex Sting)
new ACT CD Spring 2023 !! https://ACTMusic.lnk.to/SilkandSand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD9I30uWDZw&feature=youtu.be
Nguyên Lê & Chris Jennings Duo
Nguyên Lê guitars, Chris Jennings Duo
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqpRa84RH4i1aoNgABBJZ3Z8iUgSofogh
Nguyen Lê „Fire & Water“ Trio
fall 2015
With Nguyen Lê gtr; Chris Jennings ac Bass;Stéphane Edouard perc
New: Nguyên Lê & Ngô Hồng Quang (also with percussionist)
Nguyên Lê, Guitars Synths & Samples; Ngô Hồng Quang, Vocals, fiddle, Tính flute,
Neu: Nguyen Lê plays the music to the Japanes movie
„A Page of Madness“ from Karutta Ippeiji (1926)
Nguyên Lê, el. guitar, electronics & laptop; Mieko Miyazaki, koto & vocals; Nils Petter Molvaer, trumpet & electronics;
Jan Bang, live sampling; Manuel Solans, violin 1; Louise Salmona, violin 2; Emmanuel François, viola; Marie Ythier, cello;
Chris Jennings, double Bass
New: Nguyen Lê Octet: Dark Side of the Moon
With Nguyen Lê gtr, laptop; Claus Stötter tp;
Stéphane Guillaume ts, ss, fl; Antonin-Tri Hoang as, bcl;
DanielZimmermann tb; Illya Amar vibes;
Romain Labaye b; Gerge Borlai dr
Nguyen Lê „Celebrating Jimi Hendrix“
With Nguyen Lê gtr; Himiko Paganotti voc;
Etienne Mbappé e-bass; Gergo Borlai dr
Nguyen Lê & Saiyuki
Nguyen Le git; Prabhu Edouard tabla; Mieko Miyazaki koto also possible bwith guest: Guo Gan (chinese violin) see on youtube
