Ever wondered what a traditional Vietnamese instrument sounds like mixed with a bass drop? Or processed through a bunch of guitar effects pedals? Join me as I connect tradition to our modern lives and explore the unexpected, blending Vietnamese music with contemporary pop music and art.
Hello! I’m Jason (Mạc Vũ)
I’ve been playing and performing music since I was six, starting with the violin. Most recently, I earned a Dual-PhD in Folklore & Ethnomusicology, and Communication & Culture from Indiana University.
In high school, I got into hip hop and taught myself pop music recording production. About twenty years ago, I also began studying Vietnamese traditional music with one of the top đàn bầu masters in the world. Now I’m making genre-bending music that’s been featured on TEDx and performed at the UCLA Hammer Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
My Services
- Live Performance: I play for all kinds of crowds, including general audiences (e.g., TEDxCincinnati); scholars (e.g., SoundCheck! Asian American Music Conference); and art museums (e.g., Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles).
- Studio Recording: I’ve been featured on recordings by major producers in the Vietnamese music industry like Trúc Hồ (ASIA Entertainment and SBTN) as well as independent artists like Leadr, King Kimbit, and Melione.
- Commissions: I’ve written and produced soundtracks and background music for the documentary The Resting Place (Tina Huynh), the Nam Phong Dialogues podcast (Kevin Pham and Yen Vu), and the theater show Echo Land (Tuyet Van Huynh).
- Private Lessons: With twenty years of experience in Vietnamese traditional music, I teach private lessons in đàn bầu (single-string instrument) and đàn tranh (16-string zither). Đàn kìm (lute) and đàn nhị (fiddle) lessons are also available.
- Research Consultant: A PhD in ethnomusicology, I’ve consulted for a range of professionals including composers trying to incorporate traditional music theory in their works and scriptwriters exploring war-era Vietnamese rock bands.
Find Inspiration in Tradition
Đàn Bầu Freestyle #2 - “Weekend in Vegas” - Roli Seaboard & Lightpad Blocks & Dan BauThe line between tradition and innovation is pretty blurry. What’s old today was once new, and some things are constantly evolving. Take the đàn bầu, for example. In just over a century, the đàn bầu has gone from a street beggar’s tool to a versatile electric instrument, capable of both soothing melodies and electrifying solos. Let’s make music that breaks boundaries.