Below you’ll see songs that represent much of the range of musical genres and styles in which I have performed, composed, and produced over the years.
I have sounds that I especially adore, but I’m also adaptable and a fan of all kinds of music!
Music for Films, Documentaries, & Podcasts
I have been commissioned to apply my signature style to music in a variety of productions. Here are a few demos ranging from cinematic instrumental demos to pop-tinged tunes.
“Threads I” and “Threads II” were two instrumental themes I produced for the Nam Phong Dialogues, a Vietnamese history podcast by Kevin Phan and Yen Vu. “Tâm” was one of four pieces I wrote for the soundtrack of the documentary The Resting Place (Tina Huynh, 2022). Uniquely, all the sounds on that soundtrack come from đàn bầu with effects processing.
Live Performances
As a musician and scholar, I’m comfortable in both entertainment and educational contexts. I especially like it when I can do a little bit of both. My TEDxCincinnati experience a few years ago was especially memorable, as was my recent collaboration with the artist Trương Công Tùng at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles (ICA-LA).
The last clip is from a recent performance at a fundraiser by the non-profit organization VìTÂM. Leadr and I closed out the show with an impromptu rendition of their song “Stay.”
TEDxCincinnati: Đàn Bầu Presentation
Artist POV Tour & Performance at ICA-LA
Dust Child: Conversation & Performance
Jason & Leadr - "Stay" (Live at VìTÂM)
Collaborations
I’ve had the great fortune to work with many artists over the years. That includes recordings with artists like King Kimbit, Leadr, Melione, and ultmt. Those are linked in the embedded Spotify playlist.
Featured Videos
The Poem I Can't Yet Name
Túy Âm - Cover
MẸ ƠI ! XUÂN NÀY CON KHÔNG NHÀ
Personal Projects: Đàn Bầu Freestyle
This is a showcase of my producing skills merging innovative recording and music production technology with an improvised đàn bầu jam. I usually produce the entire track first, then play the đàn bầu over it as if I was a rapper freestyling over a track.
Freestyle #2 - "Weekend in Vegas"
Freestyle #3 - "Flaming Winnebago of Love"
Freestyle #4 - Cigar Box Đàn Bầu
Freestyle #5 - "Joyride In Place" (MIDI Controller)
Personal Projects: Đàn Bầu Remix
This is a series of videos I started in 2014 as a fun way to introduce the đàn bầu to younger audiences. It features cover versions of both mainstream English-language pop songs as well as classic Vietnamese songs.
The pop covers are all rewritten from scratch, often with elements of Vietnamese and Asian music embedded.