Interview: Trumpeter Cuong Vu on His Approach to Jazz Standards

Trumpeter and composer Cuong Vu has cultivated a mysterious and yet warm lyricism over the course of his extensive career. He released Bound (Omnitone), his first album as a leader, in 1999. Since then he has achieved consistent acclaim for his simple, melodic improvisation, and the way he blends classical, rock, jazz, and electronic music in his instantly identifiable compositions.

Vu’s commitment to playing his own compositions seems to be a necessary part of his artistic statement, as his compositions are so deeply connected to his playing style. However, on his newest album, Leaps of Faith (Origin Records, 2011), which features drummer Ted Poor and bassists Stomu Takeishi and Luke Bergman, Vu shows how works by other composers can apply to his own vision as a performer. I spoke with Vu recently about his treatment of standard jazz repertoire on Leaps of Faith:

Douglas Detrick (DD): Your newest album Leaps of Faith is a decisive turn towards the jazz tradition compared to the previous albums you’ve made as a leader. You start with three standards, perhaps some of the most famous ones of all: “Body and Soul,” “All the Things You Are,” and “My Funny Valentine.” “Leaps of Faith” is based onJohn Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” Also, you play tunes by George Harrison and Jackson Browne as well as two of your own compositions. How important is repertoire in finding room for your own sound as a musician? In other words, how important is the tune to you?

Cuong Vu (CV): These tunes are part of the body of work that people consider to be played too many times; to be beaten to death. This body of work is also what I (and just about every other student in college) had to learn in college. I had completely stopped playing standards when I got out of college, but when I got a teaching position at the University of Washington, I had to go back and refresh them so that I could demonstrate for my students and to play with them. As I did that, I started to understand them more deeply and some of them really resonated with me.

Complete on: http://jazz.about.com/od/interviews/a/Interview-Trumpeter-Cuong-Vu-On-His-Approach-To-Jazz-Standards.htm

Live concert with Jesper Lovedale, Jacob Anderskov, Jonas Westergaard, Anders Mogensen and Cuong Vu.