Cuong Vu (Cường Vũ) (born 19 September 1969) is a Vietnamese-American jazz trumpeter. In addition to his own work as a bandleader, Vu was a member of the Pat Metheny Group. He is the first American person of Vietnamese descent to win a Grammy Award. He won the Best Contemporary Jazz Album award twice through his work with the band. He is currently associate professor and chair of jazz studies at the University of Washington.

Biography

Born in Saigon on September 19, 1969, Vu immigrated to Seattle with his family when he was six. At 11, he began to play the trumpet. He received a scholarship from the New England Conservatory of Music. After graduating Vu moved to New York City in 1994, and formed the group Ragged Jack with Jamie Saft, Andrew D'Angelo, and Jim Black. Vu has worked with Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, Dave Douglas, Myra Melford, Gerry Hemingway, and Mitchell Froom. While a member of the Pat Metheny Group, Vu won two Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album: Speaking of Now, The Way Up; and one nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the song "As It Is." He worked with Metheny mainly as a trumpeter, but also contributed vocals, guitar and various small percussion. Vu's trio consists of bassist Stomu Takeishi and drummer Ted Poor. Vu serves as chair and professor in the jazz studies department of the University of Washington's School of Music.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

Awards