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Inspired by the concept of Organic Flow, the Jazz - IMMERSED concert is designed as a circular journey of life, where each turn takes the listener deeper into inner emotional layers, exploring the beauty of sound and improvisation - the soul of jazz.
On the evening of November 15, 2025, audiences will be immersed in world-class jazz with the concert "Jazz - IMMERSED" by the renowned Niels Lan Doky.
Jazz - a genre of creativity and freedom.
Jazz is a genre of improvisational music, where each artist is free to create and improvise on stage, resulting in completely different performances in each moment. The defining characteristics of jazz lie in its swaying swing rhythm, syncopation techniques, and complex chord systems. As a result, jazz has both a clear structure and a high degree of improvisation, offering a unique and energetic experience.
For listeners, jazz is not just music, but a journey of contemplation. In the stillness of the space, each scratch on the instrument, each breath of the artist, resonates like a whispered dialogue between emotions and soul. This is what makes jazz a favorite among those with refined musical tastes – a place where they find relaxation, inspiration, and even new creative sparks in life.
The legend Niels Lan Doky and his journey "back to his roots".
The centerpiece of the evening was the appearance of "Jazz Knight" Niels Lan Doky, a Vietnamese-Danish pianist of international stature. Born in 1963 in Copenhagen, Niels Lan Doky (Vietnamese name: Đỗ Kỳ Lân) is considered one of the leading figures of modern European jazz, having conquered prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall (USA), Royal Albert Hall (UK), and Blue Note (Tokyo).
Portrait of Vietnamese-born jazz artist Niels Lan Doky - knighted by the Queen of Denmark.
In 2010, he was knighted by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in recognition of his exceptional contributions to international music. Niels Lan Doky's music was described by The New York Times as "fresh and provocative," while the Spanish newspaper El Diario called him "one of the most important pianists of the last half-century."
Returning to Vietnam after nearly two decades, Niels Lan Doky, along with two leading jazz artists from around the world, Felix Pastorius (bass) and Jonas Johansen (drums), will take the audience on a journey "back to their roots" through three performances: from personal musical portraits to the blend of international jazz and Vietnamese folk music.
The concert brought together veteran artists.
A special highlight is the collaboration between Sir Niels Lan Doky and leading Vietnamese artists such as People's Artist Thanh Lam, singer Ha Tran, saxophonist Quyen Thien Dac, and several others – names with a clear mark in both preserving the beauty and identity of Vietnamese music while exploring, creating, and innovating to integrate into the global music scene. This convergence creates a multi-dimensional musical space where the spirit of international jazz meets the breath of contemporary Vietnamese folk music in a high-level musical dialogue, blending and full of improvisation.
Designer Tom Trandt, Ms. Luu Bao Huong - President of GG Corporation and head of the organizing committee, People's Artist Thanh Lam, and Mr. Pham Hoang Nam - General Director of the program, shared their thoughts at the press conference on the morning of October 10th.
Speaking at a press conference on the morning of October 10th, director Pham Hoang Nam said: “For me, the stage is not just a place for performance, but a place for storytelling. Jazz Concert - IMMERSED is the point of contact between international musical thinking and the local soul, where each melody becomes a bridge between two creative worlds.”
Artist Thanh Lam expressed her excitement at the opportunity to reunite with Niels Lan Doky. In 1999, through an introduction by Quoc Trung, he invited her to sing on the CD "Asian Sessions." Thanh Lam covered several songs, including "A Glimpse of Tay Ho" (composed by Pho Duc Phuong). They also recorded "Against All Odds" - a classic piece by Phil Collins - with the accompaniment of the bầu, tranh, and nguyệt zithers. Impressed with Thanh Lam's voice, Niels Lan Doky once invited her to join his tour in Denmark.
People's Artist Thanh Lam
Director Pham Hoang Nam
More than just an audio spectacle, IMMERSED also focuses on visual elements and a sustainable message. All the performance costumes were designed by Tom Trandt, a designer who studied at Parsons School of Design (New York) and is known for his eco-friendly fashion philosophy.
Jazz Concert - IMMERSED will take place at 7 PM on November 15, 2025, at GEM Center, Ho Chi Minh City. By attending this concert, audiences will not only enjoy a world-class musical experience but also become part of Living Heritage, where each person contributes to spreading the refined, humane, and sustainable spirit of modern Vietnamese living.
