Country

:

Vietnam

Birth

:

January 14, 1959 in Paris, France

 

Nguyên Lê is a Vietnamese-French guitarist, composer, and producer who has made a significant impact on the world of jazz and fusion music. Born on January 14, 1959, in Paris, France, Lê grew up in a musical family and was exposed to a wide range of musical styles from an early age. His father was a Vietnamese musician who played traditional instruments, and his mother was a French singer who introduced him to Western music. Lê began playing the guitar at the age of 15 and quickly developed a passion for jazz and fusion music. He studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris and later at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he honed his skills as a guitarist and composer. In the early 1980s, Lê began his professional career as a session musician, playing with a variety of artists in France and the United States. He quickly gained a reputation as a versatile and innovative guitarist, and his unique style drew the attention of jazz and fusion fans around the world. Lê's breakthrough came in 1995 with the release of his album "Tales from Vietnam," which blended traditional Vietnamese music with jazz and rock influences. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it established Lê as a leading figure in the world music scene. Over the years, Lê has collaborated with a wide range of artists from different musical genres, including Dhafer Youssef, Youssou N'Dour, and Carla Bley. He has also released numerous albums as a solo artist, each showcasing his unique blend of jazz, rock, and world music influences. One of Lê's most notable performances was at the 2008 Montreux Jazz Festival, where he performed with his band, Saiyuki. The performance was a tribute to the legendary jazz guitarist Jimi Hendrix, and it featured Lê's innovative arrangements of Hendrix's classic songs. Lê has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Grand Prix du Disque de l'Académie Charles Cros for his album "Maghreb & Friends" in 1999. He was also awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2009 in recognition of his contributions to the arts. In addition to his work as a musician, Lê is also a respected producer and arranger. He has produced albums for a variety of artists, including the French singer Étienne Daho and the Vietnamese musician Trịnh Công Sơn. Today, Nguyên Lê continues to push the boundaries of jazz and fusion music, blending different musical styles and cultures to create a unique and innovative sound. His contributions to the world of music have earned him a place among the most influential and respected musicians of his generation.

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