Nguyên Lê / guitars, synths, vocals
Chris Jennings / acoustic bass
Rhani Krija percussion / gumbri, vocals
Since guitarist Nguyên Lê became the first exclusive ACT artist thirty years ago, he has established himself as a distinctive voice of his instrument. And as one of the most important representatives of jazz as world music without borders. The 64-year-old is one of the few whose technique, style and composition are unique and recognizable from the first note - a mastery in the true sense of the word. With "Silk and Sand" Lê now returns to the format of the trio with which he once began his career as a leader on "Million Waves".
Lê was self-taught as a musician. He started out on the drums, only switching to guitar later. His academic studies were in fine art and philosophy, and it was only thereafter that he embarked on a career in music. His artistry, therefore, defines itself as being not of any particular school – he has developed very much according to his own precepts – and he also has cultural horizons which extend far beyond music. Another important principle with Lê is that he has always seen himself as a builder of bridges between genres, styles and continents. "I am the fusion of cultures personified," he says. Lê is a world musician in the most authentic sense, in whom European – and especially French – musical culture has always found a meeting-place with his Southeast Asian roots, and he combines these not just with American traditions of jazz and rock, but also with music from other continents. From his first, strongly Afro-Caribbean band, Ultramarine, his journey has taken him through albums like "Zanzibar", "Tales from Vietnam", then involved his participation in the groundbreaking neo-flamenco project "Jazzpaña", his collaboration with the traditional Vietnamese singer Huong Thanh, the trio E_L_B with Peter Erskine, and his multiple-award-winning Jimi Hendrix project.
In the wake of a number of global fusion and rock ventures in recent years with....... więcej