Dung Nguyen

Composer / Music Director

Dung Nguyen is one of Melbourne’s leading Vietnamese musicians and is also a jazz guitarist. He grew up in Vietnam where he learnt music from his grandfather continuing a tradition of many generations. Since then he has studied jazz at Monash University and has become increasingly interested in combining his two musical passions.

Dung is also a composer-musician onstage and has written music for a production “ Coup D’Etat “ by the Melbourne Theatre Company.

“Musician ‘Dung Nguyen’ plays variety of Asian instruments and provide a welcome variety of atmosphereric accompaniments to the speeches. Without this important musical dimension the arguments could seem rather arid at times’ Helen Thomson. The Age August 22, 2003.

Dung Nguyen’s music leavens the tension as stereotypes are challenged. Thuy On. The Australian, August 25, 2003.

He is also a member of Way Out West band. Way Out West has appeared live-to-air on Radio National’s “The Music Show” with Andrew Ford and on 3PBS FM. Footscray Station has also received widespread national radio play on Lucky Ocean’s The Planet and ABC classic FM’s Jazztrack, Nocturne and Drive programs.

Nominated #7 in top ten CDs of 2003 by the Sunday Herald Sun Arts Magazine

“[Way Out West] has a distinctly Asian flavour, thanks to the bubbling, ethereal sounds of Nguyen's instruments.” Australian Financial Review October 2003

“That these exotic sounds blend so well with jazz ensembles, beautifully harmonised and played, is a mysterious Melbourne alchemy… Jazz that lasts, for the most part integrates improvisation and composition organically; this disc is a very appealing example.” John Clare Sydney Morning Herald October 25th 2003

“A uniquely hybrid form of jazz that makes notable use of Vietnamese traditional instruments... an unusual and beguiling sound.” Nate Doward Cadence Music Review (New York) March 2004