At the “Jazz concert – IMMERSED”, Vietnamese diva Thanh Lam performed songs she had collaborated on with “Jazz Knight” Niels Lan Doky nearly 30 years ago.

The IMMERSED jazz concert and the Living Heritage – Legacy for the Future exhibition took place in Ho Chi Minh City, presenting an artistic environment where music, performance and heritage elements merge in a multisensory experience.

The highlight of the event was the performance by internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Niels Lan Doky. The show was directed by Pham Hoang Nam with Quoc Trung as Music Director, aiming for an audio–visual dialogue between international jazz and contemporary Vietnamese textures.

The night opened with a contemporary dance piece by Chika Tatsumi (Japan) and Nguyen Duc Hieu – Gold Medalist at the 2024 International Dance Festival. Minimalist movements paved the emotional path for the appearance of Niels Lan Doky.

The “Jazz Knight” shared that he had waited nearly three decades for the chance to return to Vietnam. Joining him were Felix Pastorius (bass) and Jonas Johansen (drums), both seasoned performers who shaped the rhythmic foundation of the trio's presentation.

The opening part featured key compositions such as Journey of a legend, Free at last and Just do it, delivered with jazz’s signature improvisational spirit while maintaining musical structure.

The second half began with the saxophone of Quyen Thien Dac. Despite being their first collaboration, the two artists quickly found common ground through works like Till the end of time and Houellebecq.

The concert grew more vibrant with contributions from leading Vietnamese vocalists. Diva Ha Tran performed Swim good and her hit Thu can, intensifying the emotional arc of the night.

The final segment focused on pieces inspired by Vietnamese cultural motifs, featuring Thanh Lam and musician Ho Hoai Anh.

A defining moment was Thanh Lam’s reunion with Niels Lan Doky after almost 30 years since their collaborative album Asian Sessions (1999). The pieces she performed were also part of their earlier musical projects.

Performances such as Mot thoang Tay Ho, Bien cuoi and Do tinh blended jazz improvisation with traditional Vietnamese melodies, concluding the concert with a rich cultural dialogue.

Source: VTC News