VN folk, US jazz hits just the right note with fans
by Duc Ngoc
HCM CITY — HCM City’s Dong Dao music club was lit with the spirit of jazz and Vietnamese music on Thursday as American pianist John Alex Ferguson and his group American Voices joined local stars in a one-night show.
The repertoire of Vietnamese love songs and American jazz pieces had the audience spellbound. Hong Nhung performed Trinh Cong Son’s Ru Tinh (Lullaby to Love) beautifully and CamVan, with piano accompaniment by Ferguson, sang musician Kim Tuan’s Bien Can (Ocean Drying Up).
A highlight for the home audience was the performance of Vietnamese folk song Beo Giat May Troi (Floating Water Hyacinth and Drifting Cloud) in which Ferguson joined local saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan and the music club’s band.
"Vietnamese folk songs are fascinating. This night with local artists is wonderful," Ferguson said.
Ferguson, who resides alternately in the US and the Netherlands, is pianist for the group American Voices and its artistic director. Each year, he organises more than 100 concerts, broadcasts, and master classes in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and Asia.
Dedicated to promoting quality American music around the world, the musicians of American Voices since 1992 have been heard by millions through concerts, workshops, master classes, and radio and television broadcasts.
This was Ferguson’s third visit to HCM City. In May of this year and in another performance two years ago, his group played with the choir of the HCM City Conservatory of Music. — VNS
