Vietnamese musicians are coming to Ross-shire next month to collaborate with Scottish musicians as part of a partnership between Dingwall-based arts organisation, Fèis Rois and Glasgow International Jazz Festival.
In 2019, the British Council took a Vietnamese delegation to the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, which resulted in a follow-up residency for three Scottish musicians in Vietnam. Then, in October 2023, Fèis Rois Chief Executive Fiona Dalgetty was invited on a trip to Vietnam as part of a British Council delegation to build further connections and potential for exchange and collaboration following the pandemic, and beyond the focus of the 2023 British Council UK – Vietnam season.
Fiona, along with Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow International Jazz Festival, who was also on the trip, met many inspirational musicians, artists and creative facilitators and have worked together to develop an opportunity for Scottish and Vietnamese folk and jazz musicians to come together to share music and ideas in the Highlands before performing together at Glasgow International Jazz Festival.
Supported by the British Council and Creative Scotland, musicians from Vietnam, along with three Scottish musicians, will have a week-long residency in the Highlands, culminating with three special concerts, later this month.
Maryburgh musician, Ali Levack, winner of 2020 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year and former Fèis Rois participant, will be joined by percussionist Tom Bancroft and saxophonist, Sue McKenzie during the residency which will also welcome Vietnamese band, Đàn Đó, and saxophonist Quyền Thiện Đắc.
Đàn Đó is an interdisciplinary creative group from Vietnam inspired by the local Vietnamese materials of bamboo and clay/pottery. Established in 2012, the four members of Đàn Đó explore the expressive nature of bamboo, serving as a musical instrument, a prop and characters guiding the narrative in various performances, musical compositions and stage productions. Quyen Thien Dac was influenced by his family’s traditional musical background and after graduating from the Hanoi Conservatory of Music, he earned a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in the United States, followed by a master’s degree at Malmo University in Sweden. His return to Vietnam brought a foundation of Western musical knowledge along with ambitious thoughts about paving the way for a jazz style with the spirit of Vietnamese soul.
Đàn Đó will work with Levack (whistle and pipes), Bancroft (percussion) and McKenzie (saxophone) during the residency before performing the following concerts:
• Saturday 15th June, 7.30pm – Resolis Hall, Black Isle
• Sunday 16th June, 7.30pm – Macphail Centre, Ullapool
• Wednesday 19th June – Mackintosh Church, Glasgow (as part of Glasgow Jazz Festival)
Fiona Dalgetty, Chief Executive, Fèis Rois, commented: “For many years, Fèis Rois has built partnerships with cultural organisations and musicians around the world. It feels profoundly important to provide opportunities for young people and artists to share and understand their different cultures and languages, particularly in a world that feels so turbulent at the moment.
“This is a very exciting collaboration, and we are delighted that, with support from the British Council and Creative Scotland, we are able to introduce these musicians to each other. I have no doubt that they will create incredible music together that will be enjoyed by a wide audience here in the Highlands. We are also very grateful to local support from Resolis Community Arts and the Macphail Centre in Ullapool.”
Tickets are available for the Black Isle and Ullapool concerts via EventBrite and advance booking is advised. Tickets for the Glasgow performance are available from www.jazzfest.co.uk.
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