Huu Bac Quintet

Cool World Jazz

Huu Bac was born in Vietnam to parents of Chinese/Vietnamese descent. His musical journey started in Montreal, at McGill University, with a sound foundation in jazz guitar. In 2002, he discovered the beauty of the Vietnamese monochord, the Dan Bau, under the guidance of master Pham Duc Thanh. In 2003, an international study grant led him to the Shanghai Conservatory where he learned the Chinese fiddle, the Erhu, which he later perfected at Beijing Central Conservatory.

Back in Montreal in 2006, an encounter with renowned Peruvian composer Lucho Quequezana led him to perform in Peru with the group Sonidos Vivos. Huu Bac’s intimate contact with afro-peruvian music and music from the Andes became a source of inspiration in his artistic journey, and led him to learn the Andean bamboo flute, the Quena.

From 2009 to 2015, he collaborated twice with the Cirque du Soleil, recording for the shows “Totem” and “Toruk”. He also recorded for “Canotgraphie”, a show by artistic director Robert Lepage.

Nourished by his travels and encounters, he dedicates himself to the composition and performance of a present day jazz music blending eastern and western colors, expressing his Asian cultural heritage in the North American backdrop.

In 2013, he founded the Huu Bac Quintet, which garnered various awards : “RIDEAU/ROSEQ Award 2014”, “Entrées en Scène Loto-Québec 2015-16”, “Stingray Rising Stars Award 2015”, “MUZ Public Choice Award 2016”, and a nomination for “Montreal International Jazz Festival TD Grand Jazz Award 2017”.

Backed by a solid team of some of the most prominent musicians on the up and coming Montreal jazz scene, Huu Bac performs his compositions inspired by his numerous travels in Asia, Europe and South America. He is accompanied by Emie Rioux-Roussel on piano, Geneviève Morasse on violin, Sébastien Pellerin on upright bass and Patrick Simard on drums.

In concert, he charms a large public through the beauty and intensity of his musical pieces as well as through his impressive mastery of the dan bau (vietnamese monochord), the erhu (chinese fiddle), the quena (andean flute) and the jazz guitar.

The Huu Bac Quintet delivers a true dialogue between Asian, North and South American cultures in a contemporary, original and unique way!

“Huu Bac Quintet, a group lead by an original and audacious composer-performer,…, a musical journey where originality flirts with eclecticism.”

Éric Dumais – La Bible Urbaine

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