All that Jazz

All that jazz

If the Vietnamese stereotype of a Christian is an elderly woman from the south, clutching her rosary beads as she totters to prayers every afternoon – then what would they make of Tuan Hung? Aged 30, he is arguably the best jazz musician in Vietnam, a graduate of the Hanoi Conservatory and of schools in Sweden and USA; he’s in demand as a lecturer, and has become a celebrity figure, leading a team on Vietnam TV’s popular Music Game show, as well as being an actor and MC.

The compilation album of his worship songs, Giac mo nhiem mau (Magic Dream), can be described as a blend of easy pop and jazz, with expertly mixed vocals, piano, organ and synth. It is the first Christian CD to be licensed for release on the Vietnamese market, with 5000 copies on sale last June.

Tuan Hung came to faith while studying in USA, and spoke openly about his beliefs at a recent live concert in Vietnam. He credits Christianity and the songs of praise that he encountered, with giving him a new peace and humility – rather than the arrogant rooster he once was.

Think and pray

• Think of some celebrities (rock stars, actors, sporting personalities) who have claimed to become ‘born-again Christians’. How many are still active in Christian life and witness? What are the unique challenges to their faith faced by celebrities?
• Celebrity lifestyles are often notable for their glamour. What could a Christian celebrity’s life and testimony portray instead?
• Stereotypes of Jesus (as a mythological, good man) hinder people from accepting Him as Saviour. Likewise, how can stereotypes of Christians hinder people from wanting to find out more? We pray that Vietnamese from all walks of life will come to faith – let’s also remember those in the entertainment industry and other popular figures.
• Imagine you’re about to write a praise song. Would your biggest influence be the contemporary praise and worship culture around you, or a deep and personal experience of God and the power of His Word? Pray for the coming generation of Christian Vietnamese songwriters.

Tuan Hung would probably appreciate this thought:

“I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn’t resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.
After that I liked jazz music.

Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.

I used to not like God because God didn’t resolve. But that was before any of this happened.”

From Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller