The Vietnamese American Cuong Vu came into the picture in the early nineties, when the young talent started associating with a few top avant-garde musicians like Dave Douglas, Mark Helias, Doygie Bowne, Gerry Hemmingway and Bobby Previte. After studying at the conservatory, where he was taught by Joe Maneri, the jazz trumpet player joined the formation Orange Then Blue. In addition, he formed his own groups. In 2000 his first own album Bound came out. In the company of his trio (Japanese bassist Stomu Takeishi and drummer Joe Tom Ino) this North Sea Jazz debutant has developed an own style somewhere on the borderline between jazz and rock. This style did not go unnoticed; last year no less a person than Pat Metheny invited him to tour with his Electric Group. Festival visitors who didn't get to attend that concert in Amsterdam (May 2002), will now have another chance to experience which qualities lie hidden in Vu.
