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BV Concert Association presents Montreal’s Huu Bac Quintet

The Huu Bac Quintet play the Della Herman Theatre Nov. 24.
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The Huu Bac Quintet play the Della Herman Theatre Nov. 24. Contributed photo

The Huu Bac Quintet will grace the stage of the Della Herman Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24.

Huu Bac Quach’s personal journey began in the rice paddies of Vietnam, coming to the suburbs of Montreal at the age of two with his parents as “boat people” refugees fleeing the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

His musical journey began at McGill University with a sound foundation in jazz guitar. In 2002, he discovered the beauty of the Vietnamese monochord, the dan bau, under the guidance of master Pham Duc Thanh. His curiosity for ancient stringed instruments then led him to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music where he learned the Chinese fiddle, the erhu.

Returning to Montreal in 2006, he encountered renowned Peruvian composer Lucho Quequezana who invited him to a musical journey in Peru with the group Sonidos Vivos, where the intimate contact with Afro-Peruvian music and music from the Andes added the Andean bamboo flute, the quena, to his artistic itinerary.

He has collaborated twice with Cirque du Soleil, recording for the shows Totem and Toruk. As a composer he took part in the festival Africa-Asia Encounters, in Paris. Nourished by his travels and encounters, he dedicates himself to the composition and performance of a present day jazz music blending eastern and western flavours.

In November 2013, he founded the Huu Bac Quintet who have since toured Canada and garnered various awards.

Backed by a solid team of some of the most prominent musicians on the up and coming Montreal jazz scene, Huu Bac performs his compositions inspired by his travels in Asia, Europe and South America. He is accompanied by Guillaume Martineau on piano, Sara Jasmin on violin, Jean-Félix Mailloux on upright bass and Etienne Mason on drums, outstanding musicians with their own solo careers.

You will be charmed by the beauty and intensity of his ethereal music as well as his impressive mastery of the dan bau, erhu, quena and the jazz guitar.The Huu Bac Quintet delivers a true dialogue between Asian, North and South American cultures in a contemporary, original and unique way.

Huu Bac’s first album as a composer/performer, On the Steps of St-Paul’s, will be released just three days before his Smithers appearance and will be available for purchase at the concert. Watch the title track on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bAlH1CpGR8.

“Huu Bac’s music defies the jazz label or any other limiting genre classification. It has the power to transfix and transport you. This is a musical journey not to be missed!” said BVCA’s Lynnda McDougall.

Tickets are on sale now at Mountain Eagle Books: Adults $25, Seniors (60 plus) $20, Youth (under 18) $16.

– Submitted by the BVCA.