Trumpeter-composer Cuong Vu has established himself as a distinctive voice on the new music/improvising scene for his adventurous work over the past 20 years with the likes of guitarist Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny and Laurie Anderson as well as his body of works as leader.
Cuong Vu‘s collaboration with RareNoise dates back to the release of Naked Truth‘s Shizaru, in collaboration with Lorenzo Feliciati (on whose Frequent Flyer, KOI and forthcoming Antikythera he guested).
His first RareNoise release, That The Days Go By And Never Come Again, is a collaboration with pianist, composer and electronic music experimenter Richard Karpen, under the name Indigo Mist. Joined by their faculty colleagues at the University of Washington, innovative bassist Luke Bergman and Vu’s longstanding bandmate, drummer Ted Poor, these two kindred spirits push the envelope in a myriad of provocative ways in this extended suite that pays tribute to the indelible composing team of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.
Vu‘s second RareNoise release Ballet (The Music of Michael Gibbs), sees him join forces again with Luke Bergman Ted Poor and guitarist extraordinaire Bill Frisell, in a celebration of the music of renowned composer/arranger Michael Gibbs.
Vu‘s most recent RareNoise release, Change In The Air, sees him picking up where he left off with Bill Frisell, bassist Luke Bergman and drummer Ted Poor. With all the members of the quartet contributing compositions, this one finds the four participants on equal footing on ten adventurous originals.
