Hanoi-based folk singers Tan Nhan and Ngo Hong Quang are making theirmarks on the local music scene, with their first CD nominated for the2013 Devotion Prize for Best Album by the Vietnam News Agency's The Thao& Van Hoa (Sports & Culture) newspaper.
After beatingalbums recorded by pop stars like Dam Vinh Hung and Hoang Thuy Linh,Nhan and Quang were nominated for their success in singing jazz andmodern folk music.
The prize will be voted by nearly 100 music critics and reporters from prestigious newspapers and magazines across the country.
Nhan'sYem Dao Xuong Pho (Village Damsel Walking down the Street) includesseven folk songs combining cheo (traditional opera) and jazz. She wasaccompanied by several instruments, including cymbals.
Nhan, 32, worked with musician Tran Manh Hung, who is experienced in jazz, to challenge her vocal range.
"Hunghelped me combine traditional cheo and jazz, making a new style luringyoung audiences," she said. Surprisingly, Quang, a graduate of theNational Music Institute, recorded Song Hanh (Walking Abreast) withDutch musician Onnon Krijin.
His album features eight songs combining modern and traditional styles.
In Song Hanh, Quang and his colleague mixed folk songs in western music. They used electronic music to highlight their idea.
His album received mixed responses from fans and critics.
"Iwanted to sing in a different way to other singers. I hope my musicprovides my fans with a very new taste," said the 34-year-old.
Nhan and Quang will compete with their younger colleague, Nguyen Dinh Thanh Tam, for the prize.
Tam, 26, worked hard to record and release Canh Dieu Lac Pho (The Missing Kite), a production of pop music.
Thealbum includes nine songs such as Loi Toi Ru (My Lullaby) and Len Chua(Visiting the Temple) by veteran composers Duong Thu, Tran Tien and QuocTrung.
The songs are performed by pop stars Tran Thu Ha and Hong Nhung, but they were remixed to highlight Tam's voice.
Tamis also a new face in the race for Singer of the Year. He has beencompared to five-time winner Tung Duong, who has been nominated onceagain this year.
Three other nominees for Album of the Yearinclude Doc Dao (Unique Path) of Tung Duong, Canh Cung 3 (The Bow 3) ofDo Bao and Yeu (Love) of the band 5 Dong Ke.
The Devotion Prize is presented annually to the best show, album and artist in seven categories.
Thetraditional categories include Best Music Production, Best Artist of2013, Best Album, Best Show and Song of the Year. There will also be anaward for the Best Series of Music Performances.
The April 22 awards ceremony takes place at the Hanoi Opera House, with a live broadcast scheduled on Vietnam Television's VTV2.
"Throughour prizes, we hope to support music artists in their work, encouragingthem to contribute more to the country's music industry," said TruongLe Kim Hoa, the newspaper's editor-in-chief.-VNA
After beatingalbums recorded by pop stars like Dam Vinh Hung and Hoang Thuy Linh,Nhan and Quang were nominated for their success in singing jazz andmodern folk music.
The prize will be voted by nearly 100 music critics and reporters from prestigious newspapers and magazines across the country.
Nhan'sYem Dao Xuong Pho (Village Damsel Walking down the Street) includesseven folk songs combining cheo (traditional opera) and jazz. She wasaccompanied by several instruments, including cymbals.
Nhan, 32, worked with musician Tran Manh Hung, who is experienced in jazz, to challenge her vocal range.
"Hunghelped me combine traditional cheo and jazz, making a new style luringyoung audiences," she said. Surprisingly, Quang, a graduate of theNational Music Institute, recorded Song Hanh (Walking Abreast) withDutch musician Onnon Krijin.
His album features eight songs combining modern and traditional styles.
In Song Hanh, Quang and his colleague mixed folk songs in western music. They used electronic music to highlight their idea.
His album received mixed responses from fans and critics.
"Iwanted to sing in a different way to other singers. I hope my musicprovides my fans with a very new taste," said the 34-year-old.
Nhan and Quang will compete with their younger colleague, Nguyen Dinh Thanh Tam, for the prize.
Tam, 26, worked hard to record and release Canh Dieu Lac Pho (The Missing Kite), a production of pop music.
Thealbum includes nine songs such as Loi Toi Ru (My Lullaby) and Len Chua(Visiting the Temple) by veteran composers Duong Thu, Tran Tien and QuocTrung.
The songs are performed by pop stars Tran Thu Ha and Hong Nhung, but they were remixed to highlight Tam's voice.
Tamis also a new face in the race for Singer of the Year. He has beencompared to five-time winner Tung Duong, who has been nominated onceagain this year.
Three other nominees for Album of the Yearinclude Doc Dao (Unique Path) of Tung Duong, Canh Cung 3 (The Bow 3) ofDo Bao and Yeu (Love) of the band 5 Dong Ke.
The Devotion Prize is presented annually to the best show, album and artist in seven categories.
Thetraditional categories include Best Music Production, Best Artist of2013, Best Album, Best Show and Song of the Year. There will also be anaward for the Best Series of Music Performances.
The April 22 awards ceremony takes place at the Hanoi Opera House, with a live broadcast scheduled on Vietnam Television's VTV2.
"Throughour prizes, we hope to support music artists in their work, encouragingthem to contribute more to the country's music industry," said TruongLe Kim Hoa, the newspaper's editor-in-chief.-VNA
