Huong Thanh

Hương Thanh is a Vietnamese singer of various genres, including Cai Luong and jazz fusion. In 2007, France Musique honored her with the Musique du monde award. Her early discography includes Chuyện ba người, Moon and Wind (ACT Music, 1999), and Tales from Vietnam, de Nguyên Lê (ACT Music, 1996).

Early years and education Hương Thanh was born in Saigon to a family of South Vietnamese musicians. Her father, Hữu Phước (died 1997), was a master of Cải lương singing. She has at least one sibling, a sister, Hương Lan. From the age of 10, Hương was trained in Cải Lương and in traditional singing. At the age of 14, she studied at various schools of music and theater, and at 16 she gave her stage debut. In 1977, as a result of the political events in Vietnam, she emigrated to Paris at age 17.

Career

In 1995, she met the Vietnamese guitarist Nguyên Lê, who was her first contact with jazz and world music. In 1996, she sang at the invitation of UNESCO to celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights. With her sister, Hương Lan, she recorded in Los Angeles, California, US in 1997. In the following years, she worked alongside Nguyên Lê with Michel Alibo, Paolo Fresu, Paul McCandless, and Dhafer Youssef. The CD, Fragile Beauty, which was recorded in the duo with Nguyên Lê in 2007, which was finished in the spring of 2008 in the World Music Charts Europe (April 2nd place, May 4th place). In 2007, she received the Prix Musique des Musiques du Monde for her interpretation of the traditional music of Vietnam. This prize is connected with studio recordings and in 2008 the CD Viet Nam was released: Musique Du Théâtre Cai Luong. Here Hương, in collaboration with traditional musicians, interprets some of the most popular pieces of Cải lương and the traditional music of the three regions of Vietnam. With this repertoire, she toured with her Hương Thanh Trio.

Discography

Vietnam music and traditional music Chuyện ba người, 1995 Chuyện phim buồn, 1996 Duyên ta như mây, 1996 Tơ duyên, 1996 Sao em nỡ vội lấy chồng, 1998 Viet Nam: Musique du théâtre Cai Luong, Ocora, 2008 L'Arbre au Rêves, Buda Musique / Universal Music France, 2011

Jazz and world music Moon and Wind, ACT Music, 1999 Dragonfly, ACT Music, 2001 Mangustao, ACT Music, 2004 Fragile Beauty, ACT Music, 2007 Camkytiwa: Les fleurs du levant, Buda Musique / Universal Music France, 2013

Collaboration Tales from Vietnam, de Nguyên Lê, ACT Music, 1996 Magreb and Friends, Nguyên Lê, ACT Music, 1998 Saigon Inspiring,Limborg, Terra Humana, 2006 Charles Darwin, XII Alfonso, 2012 A Million Stars, Geir Lysne, ACT Music, 2014 Vinasounds Vol.1 EP, Nodey/Modulor, 2016

Compilation

More Magic In A Noisy World, ACT Music, 1997 Magic Moments: The Ultimate ACT World Jazz Anthology, Volume IV, ACT Music, 2000 fRoots N°14, Folk Roots, 2000 Arôme: Barbara Bui Cafe, Wagram Music, 2001 Global Magic: The Ultimate ACT World Jazz Anthology, Volume V, ACT Music, 2001 World 2001, Virgin, 2001 East Asia Travelogue, Travelogue, 2002 Man Ray, Volume 2, Universal Licensing Music (ULM), Milan Records, 2002 Little Buddha Cafe (DJ Sam-Popat), George V Records, 2002 La Planète Bleue, Volume 2, Wagram Music, 2003 Magic Voices, ACT Music, 2003 FIP Selection Musiques du Monde Vol.1, FIP, 2003 Magic Moments 2: The Ultimate ACT World Jazz Anthology, Volume VI, ACT Music, 2004 GEO [World], EMI Music, 2004 Asian Garden: The World of Asian Grooves, Soulstar, 2004 Harem's Secret, Volume 1, Soulstar, 2004 The Very Best of The Far East, Nascente, 2004 Magic Moments: 3 CD Box, ACT Music, 2005 Jet Lag Inspiring Saigon, Believe, 2006 ACT: 15 Magic Years 1992-2007, ACT Music, 2007 The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam, World Music Network, 2007 Songlines: Top of the World 48, Songlines, 2007 Chill Out in Paris 7: Kings of Lounge, the Secret Garden, Stefano Cecchi Records, 2008 Divas du monde, RCA Victor, 2008 Songlines: Great Moments in World Music, Songlines, 2008 Supperclub Presents Nomads 6, United Recordings, 2009

Honors 2007, Musique du monde award, France Musique