HÀ NỘI — Internationally-acclaimed jazz guitarist Nguyên Lê and his band will perform at The BandFest 2018 later this month at the Hà Nội Opera House.

Initiated by Việt Nam’s famous composer and music producer Anh Quân and his wife, diva Mỹ Linh, The BandFest is expected to be Việt Nam’s first international indoor music festival dedicating solely to the band and not just singers.

 “Most people are not aware of the importance of a music band. They even keep a ‘default’ thought that the band is supporting the singers or is just secondary. They don’t know that a band can act as a dependent individual,” Quân said at a press conference last week.

The composer said he has witnessed in recent years the births of several bands, which have made strong impressions on music fans with their unique personalities and talents.

“Visible evidence showing the development of those promising bands is the reality show Ban Nhạc Việt (Vietnamese Band) that ended in February. That’s why I really want to create a new professional ‘playground’ for the bands,” Quân said.

Talking to the media through live video link, Vietnamese-rooted artist Nguyên Lê, who has released 16 albums, said: “As a jazz artist, my repertoire definitely will focus on jazz compositions.”

Lê, who was granted the title “Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts & des Lettres” (Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters) for his energetic effort in promoting jazz across the world, will perform together with German pianist Benjamin Schatz and South Korean drummer Hogyu Hwang.

He has also invited 19-year-old drummer Lê Minh Hiếu of the band Jazz Glory to join him on stage after he was amazed by his talents.

The teenager was the only Vietnamese representative at Drum Fest Singapore in 2017.

According to the Paris-based artist, Lê, Hiếu is among a small number of local musicians who have had an impression on him.

Those artists include veteran saxophonists Trần Mạnh Tuấn and Quyền Thiện Đắc, singer Tùng Dương, and diva Mỹ Linh.

Diva Linh, who has worked with her producer husband Quân to launch The BandFest, will also perform with the Nguyên Lê Band.

The BandFest 2018’s repertoire will also include a performance presented by the wife of the Swedish Ambassador to Việt Nam, Anna Hogberg, who is also a singer.

Hogberg, who is a singing teacher and a choir leader in her home country, will perform with Jazz Glory.

Another highlight of The BandFest 2018 will be the performance by the Yellow Star Big Band. The 16-member group won reality show Ban Nhạc Việt in February.

Other bands taking part in the festival on April 30, include PB Nation and Màu Nước (Watercolour). — VNS