Huu Bac Quintet - Cultural Fusion Performance - Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall

Demonstrating dexterous use of varying musical instruments, infused with narratives and humor, the Huu Bac Quintet delivers a true dialogue between Asian, North and South American cultures in a contemporary, original and unique way. A captivating performance! Composer and multi-instrumentalist Huu Bac Quach founded his quintet in Montreal in 2013, skillfully combining his Sino-Vietnamese and Chinese heritages to North-American jazz music. Backed by a solid team of some of the most prominent musicians from the Montreal jazz scene, Huu Bac performs his compositions, inspired by his numerous travels in Asia, Europe and South America. Huu Bac was born in Vietnam to parents of Chinese descent. His family moved to Canada when he was two years old. In 2002, he discovered the beauty of the Vietnamese monochord, the Dan Bau, under the guidance of master Pham Duc Thanh. In 2003, an international study grant lead him to the Shanghai Conservatory where he learned the Chinese fiddle, the Erhu, which he later perfected at Beijing Central Conservatory with professor Yang Xue and additional private lessons from master Chen Yaoxing. Back in Montreal in 2006, an encounter with renowned Peruvian composer Lucho Quequezana lead Huu Bac to perform in Peru with the group Sonidos Vivos. Huu Bac's intimate contact with afro-Peruvian music and music from the Andes became a source of inspiration in his artistic journey, and lead him to learn the Andean bamboo flute, the Quena. From 2009 to 2015, he collaborated twice with Cirque du Soleil, recording for the shows "Totem" and "Toruk". He also recorded for "Canotgraphie", a show by artistic director Robert Lepage.