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Guitarist Nguyên Lê, born in Paris to Vietnamese parents, embodies the exotic multi-cultural mosaic fueling the vibrant jazz and world music scenes flourishing in the French capital... A self-taught musician, majored in Philosophy & Visual Arts, Lê has developed a distinctive sound that draws upon rock, funk and jazz as well as traditional Algerian, Indian and Vietnamese styles.
His recording career began in 1985, with the group Ultramarine, which incorporated Jazz with elements of African & Caribbean, & which 2nd album, DE was considered 1989 "Best World Music Album" in the French press. After being part of the French National Jazz Orchestra, Le released his first solo album, MIRACLES recorded with American jazz stalwarts Peter Erskine, Marc Johnson and Art Lande.
Since 1995 Lê released seven albums, including : TALES FROM VIET NAM (96) on which he explores and celebrates his roots, the North African flavored MAGHREB & FRIENDS (98), BAKIDA on which he augments the trio format of guitar, bass and drums, with guest soloists Chris Potter, Kudsi Erguner and Carles Benavente, & « PURPLE » (2002), a CD about Jimi Hendrix, which sold 20 000 copies today. In 2005 he produces the more acoustic CD "WALKING ON THE TIGER'S TAIL", with his great friends Art Lande, Paul McCandless & Jamey Haddad. « HOMESCAPE », a mystical & electronic album (2006) was recorded at home in duo with tunisian Dhafer Youssef & italian trumpet player Paolo Fresu.
Le collaborated with leading musicians in Europe and the U.S., including Michel Portal, Miroslav Vitous, Vince Mendoza, Trilok Gurtu, Dave Liebman, Ornette Coleman, Ray Charles, Cheb Mami, Huong Thanh, Uri Caine, Jim Black... He has written scores for two movies : "SHEITAN" by Kim Chapiron & "SAIGON ECLIPSE" by Othello Khanh.
In oct 07 "FRAGILE BEAUTY", a new CD on the 2 names of Huong Thanh & Nguyên Lê was released. Le recorded on "The Othello Syndrome" next Uri Caine's album & "Blauklang", last Vince Mendoza's album. In april 08 "DREAM FLIGHT" the new ELB album, with Peter Erskine, Michel Benita & guest Stéphane Guillaume !
"SAIYUKI", a new asian trio is just released, with Mieko Miyazaki (koto & voc) & Prabhu Edouard (tablas & voc), with special guest appearence of great Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute bansuri).
Check my new website at www.nguyen-le.com: mp3s ,photos, concerts schedule, downloadable music scores, etc...
Nguyên Lê endorses EMG pickups & DR Strings
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