thùy linh ~ aka TL

jazz vocalist, Composer, and Producer in San Francisco, California

thùy linh ~ aka TL

jazz vocalist, Composer, and Producer in San Francisco, California

thank you for swinging by!

i am the first vietnamese american Jazz vocalist/ composer of the greater san francisco bay area. singing jazz since age 20, I am self-taught, drawn to Jazz in college by the classic iconic voices of american songbook. my repertoire has since expanded to latin boleros, pop/ R&B for dancing, and originals. i sing in multiple languages: english, vietnamese, french, spanish, and portugese.

standing a petite 4 feet 11 inches, i feel much taller when my strong, smooth voice raises eyebrows & smiles across the room. surprisingly low and richly pitched, my voice can glide warmly between lyrical sensuality & pensive nostalgia. my love of singing has evolved from the melodious songs heard growing up in my homeland Viet Nam. my unique style has been described as an exotic sound woven from alluring vocals and vivacious stage charm.

beginning with American Jazz standards, my repertoire has evolved to include original music, dance tunes, blues, latin bossas & boleros, and pop r&b. since 2011 i have begun creating original compositions in collaboration with my dear friend, bay area poet Bashou. three major series:

1. Lotus Child: Survivors of Human Trafficking Rise!, honors survivors of human trafficking supported by Pacific Links Foundation.

2. Lady Moon: Poems to Song. celebrating Hồ Xuân Hương – 18th Century Vietnamese Feminist Poet, whose politically astute & erotic poetry reveals the untamed spirit of female-hood.

3. Jazzing Viet Classics: an Experiment in Sound. a re-creation of well-loved viet folk, classic and pop songs into Jazz.

in november 2013, inspired by San Francisco's Jazz in the Neighborhood https://jazzintheneighborhood.org/, composer Nguyễn Dự and I created Jazz is You! Jazz Là Em! JiY ~ a multi-purpose project with the mission to:

1. bring this great American art form into ethnic communities; 2. increase exposure & improving access for diverse new audiences;3. provide a stage for musicians at all levels to hone their craft;4. create more opportunities & jobs for local musicians to play & network; and5. help promote local businesses that are committed to growing the local music scene.

our programs feature current & up-and-coming talents throughout greater Bay Area. venues include diverse ethnic hubs where the community regularly gathers: Jade Leaf Eatery & Lounge, Coffee Lovers, Viet TET New Year Festivals, Blue Note Lounge and Tessora's Barra di Vino.

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  • Work
    • Jazz is You! Jaz
  • Education
    • MA, intnl relations, university of WA, seattle
    • BA, social science, uc berkeley