Cuong Vu, a Vietnamese- American trumpet player and two-time Grammy winner, is scheduled to attend a series of musical events and programs in Vietnam this week.

Born in Saigon on September 19, 1969, Vu immigrated to Seattle with his family when he was six and began playing the trumpet at age 11.

As a member of the Pat Metheny Group, a renowned jazz band, Cuong won two Grammy awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for Speaking of Now in 2003 and The Way Up in 2006.

In 2006, Cuong was recognized as one of the world’s 50 leading jazz musicians.

His album ‘Come and Plant with Me’ is also listed among the 100 greatest jazz albums of all time by Amazon.com.

The Vietnamese-American musician has performed alongside internationally famous musicians including Pat Metheny, Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, Dave Douglas, Myra Melford, Cibo Matto, and Mitchell Froom.

Cuong Vu during a musical performance

Currently, Cuong serves as an associate professor and chair of Jazz Studies at the University of Washington.

During his stay in Vietnam this week, Cuong will hold his Soul Connects: Be CreARTive workshop with Vietnamese youths to discuss creativity and the journey toward personal inspiration.

The SOUL Connects program is a series of inspirational speeches and performances by accomplished musicians and artists.

The workshop is scheduled to take place at the SOUL Live Project performance venue (214 - 216 Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) at 7:00 pm on Friday, September 15.

Tickets cost VND200,000 (US$8.77) each.

A 20 percent discount will be applied to students and groups of four and above.

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