Cuong Vu

The Profile

Cuong Vu is a Vietnamese-American jazz trumpeter and composer known for his innovative, genre-blurring approach. He has led acclaimed ensembles, collaborated widely (notably with Bill Frisell), and was a member of the Pat Metheny Group.

Born in 1969 in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and raised in Seattle; member of the Pat Metheny Group on the Grammy-winning albums Speaking of Now and The Way Up; professor and Chair of Jazz Studies at the University of Washington.

One glowing review dives into Cuong Vu’s It’s Mostly Residual, praising his open-minded, genre-blurring jazz and the synergy with Bill Frisell and Stomu Takeishi. The write-up highlights pop, rock, and classical influences, noiserock edges, and post-rock atmospheres. Track callouts include Expression Of A Neurotic Impulse, Brittle, Like Twigs, and Blur. Overall verdict: splendid.