Hương Thanh

Hương Thanh is a Vietnamese singer of various genres, including Cai Luong and jazz fusion. In 2007, France Musique honored her with the Musique du monde award. Her early discography includes Chuyện ba người (1995), Moon and Wind (ACT Music, 1999), and Tales from Vietnam, de Nguyên Lê (ACT Music, 1996).

Early years and education
Hương Thanh was born in Saigon to a family of South Vietnamese musicians. Her father, Hữu Phước (died 1997), was a master of Cải lương singing. She has at least one sibling, a sister, Hương Lan. From the age of 10, Hương was trained in Cải Lương and in traditional singing. At the age of 14, she studied at various schools of music and theater, and at 16 she gave her stage debut. In 1977, as a result of the political events in Vietnam, she emigrated to Paris at age 17.

Career
In 1995, she met the Vietnamese guitarist Nguyên Lê, who was her first contact with jazz and world music. In 1996, she sang at the invitation of UNESCO to celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights. With her sister, Hương Lan, she recorded in Los Angeles, California, US in 1997. In the following years, she worked alongside Nguyên Lê with Michel Alibo, Paolo Fresu, Paul McCandless, and Dhafer Youssef. The CD, Fragile Beauty, which was recorded in the duo with Nguyên Lê in 2007, which was finished in the spring of 2008 in the World Music Charts Europe (April 2nd place, May 4th place). In 2007, she received the Prix Musique des Musiques du Monde for her interpretation of the traditional music of Vietnam. This prize is connected with studio recordings and in 2008 the CD Viet Nam was released: Musique Du Théâtre Cai Luong. Here Hương, in collaboration with traditional musicians, interprets some of the most popular pieces of Cải lương and the traditional music of the three regions of Vietnam. With this repertoire, she toured with her Hương Thanh Trio.

Vietnam music and traditional music

 * Chuyện ba người, 1995
 * Chuyện phim buồn, 1996
 * Duyên ta như mây, 1996
 * Tơ duyên, 1996
 * Sao em nỡ vội lấy chồng, 1998
 * Viet Nam: Musique du théâtre Cai Luong, Ocora, 2008
 * L'Arbre au Rêves, Buda Musique / Universal Music France, 2011

Jazz and world music

 * Moon and Wind, ACT Music, 1999
 * Dragonfly, ACT Music, 2001
 * Mangustao, ACT Music, 2004
 * Fragile Beauty, ACT Music, 2007
 * Camkytiwa: Les fleurs du levant, Buda Musique / Universal Music France, 2013

Collaboration

 * Tales from Vietnam, de Nguyên Lê, ACT Music, 1996
 * Magreb and Friends, Nguyên Lê, ACT Music, 1998
 * Saigon Inspiring,Limborg, Terra Humana, 2006
 * Charles Darwin, XII Alfonso, 2012
 * A Million Stars, Geir Lysne, ACT Music, 2014
 * Vinasounds Vol.1 EP, Nodey/Modulor, 2016

Compilation

 * More Magic In A Noisy World, ACT Music, 1997
 * Magic Moments: The Ultimate ACT World Jazz Anthology, Volume IV, ACT Music, 2000
 * fRoots N°14, Folk Roots, 2000
 * Arôme: Barbara Bui Cafe, Wagram Music, 2001
 * Global Magic: The Ultimate ACT World Jazz Anthology, Volume V, ACT Music, 2001
 * World 2001, Virgin, 2001
 * East Asia Travelogue, Travelogue, 2002
 * Man Ray, Volume 2, Universal Licensing Music (ULM), Milan Records, 2002
 * Little Buddha Cafe (DJ Sam-Popat), George V Records, 2002
 * La Planète Bleue, Volume 2, Wagram Music, 2003
 * Magic Voices, ACT Music, 2003
 * FIP Selection Musiques du Monde Vol.1, FIP, 2003
 * Magic Moments 2: The Ultimate ACT World Jazz Anthology, Volume VI, ACT Music, 2004
 * GEO [World], EMI Music, 2004
 * Asian Garden: The World of Asian Grooves, Soulstar, 2004
 * Harem's Secret, Volume 1, Soulstar, 2004
 * The Very Best of The Far East, Nascente, 2004
 * Magic Moments: 3 CD Box, ACT Music, 2005
 * Jet Lag Inspiring Saigon, Believe, 2006
 * ACT: 15 Magic Years 1992-2007, ACT Music, 2007
 * The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam, World Music Network, 2007
 * Songlines: Top of the World 48, Songlines, 2007
 * Chill Out in Paris 7: Kings of Lounge, the Secret Garden, Stefano Cecchi Records, 2008
 * Divas du monde, RCA Victor, 2008
 * Songlines: Great Moments in World Music, Songlines, 2008
 * Supperclub Presents Nomads 6, United Recordings, 2009

Honors

 * 2007, Musique du monde award, France Musique