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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 rotation takes listeners deeper into the inner emotional layer, discovering the beauty of sound and improvisation - the soul of jazz.
On the evening of November 15, 2025, the audience will be immersed in an international jazz space through the concert "Jazz - IMMERSED" by knight Niels Lan Doky.
Jazz - music of creativity and free spirit
Jazz is a musical genre of improvisation, where each artist is free to create and improvise on stage, creating completely different performances at every moment. The characteristics of jazz lie in the swinging rhythm, syncopation technique and complex chord systems. Thanks to that, jazz is both clearly structured and full of improvisation, bringing a unique and energetic experience.
For listeners, jazz is not only music but also a journey of contemplation. In the silence of the space, each scratch on the instrument, each breath of the artist resonates like a whispering dialogue between emotions and soul. That is what makes jazz a stream for people with delicate musical taste - where they find relaxation, inspiration and new creativity in life.
Legendary Niels Lan Doky and his journey "back to the source"
The centerpiece of the show 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: Do Ky Lan) is considered one of the representative faces of modern European jazz, having conquered prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall (USA), Royal Albert Hall (UK) or Blue Note (Tokyo).
Portrait of Vietnamese-American 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 past half-century".
Returning to Vietnam after nearly two decades, Niels Lan Doky and two of the world's leading jazz artists, Felix Pastorius (bass) and Jonas Johansen (drums), will bring the audience a journey "back to the roots" through three performances: from personal musical portraits to the fusion of international jazz and Vietnamese folk.
Music night brings together veteran artists
The special highlight is the collaboration between Sir Niels Lan Doky and leading Vietnamese artists such as People's Artist Thanh Lam, singer Ha Tran, saxophone artist Quyen Thien Dac, and a number of other artists - names that have made a clear mark in both preserving the beauty of Vietnamese music identity and exploring, creating and innovating to integrate into the world music flow. This meeting creates a multidimensional musical space, where the spirit of international Jazz meets the breath of contemporary Vietnamese folk music in a top-notch, harmonious and spontaneous musical dialogue.
Designer Tom Trandt, Ms. Luu Bao Huong - Chairman of GG Corporation, head of the organizing committee, People's Artist Thanh Lam, Mr. Pham Hoang Nam - General Director of the program shared at the press conference on the morning of October 10.
Sharing at the press conference held on the morning of October 10, director Pham Hoang Nam said: “For me, the stage is not only a place to perform, but also a place to tell stories. Jazz Concert - IMMERSED is a meeting point between international musical thinking and 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 Quoc Trung's introduction, he invited her to sing on the CD Asian Sessions. Thanh Lam covered a number of songs, including Mot Glimpse Tay Ho (composed by musician Pho Duc Phuong). They also recorded Against All Odds - a classic by Phil Collins - with the monochord, zither, and moon lute. Impressed by Thanh Lam's voice, Niels Lan Doky invited her to join a tour in Denmark.
People's Artist Thanh Lam
Director Pham Hoang Nam
More than just a sound feast, IMMERSED also focuses on visual elements and sustainable messages. The entire performance costumes were designed by designer 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 7:00 p.m. on November 15, 2025 at GEM Center, Ho Chi Minh City. By participating in the music night, the audience will not only enjoy a night of international-class music, but also become a part of Living Heritage, where each person contributes to spreading the spirit of living quintessence, humanity and sustainability of modern Vietnamese people.
