An Tran, a Gen Z saxophonist from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is making waves in the music scene with her debut EP, “AGAIN,” released on June 6.
As a rising fourth-year music production and engineering major at Berklee College of Music, Tran has infused her latest work with her global personality and identity.
The album features six tracks, with the title song, “AGAIN,” composed in 2023 amidst an emotionally charged period in her life, while the other songs were created in May 2024.
Throughout her two-year journey of writing and producing the EP, Tran has channeled her experiences of sorrow and relief, aiming to connect her audience to her recurring emotions.
Recognized with the Lamond GenNext Award, Tran transcends geographical boundaries in her music, effortlessly navigating between the advanced music scene in Boston and her deep Vietnamese roots.
Her international recognition has been further highlighted by her nomination for Rising Artist of the Year at the 2023 WeChoice Awards, an annual Vietnamese cultural event.
In a recent interview with The Huntington News, Tran shed light on her musical journey, emphasizing the importance of cultural legacy as she envisions her future as a multi-talented saxophonist.
Tran began her saxophone journey at the age of nine, despite facing initial resistance from her father, a prominent saxophonist in Vietnam.
He believed the instrument was unsuitable for girls, which only fueled her determination to play.
“When anyone stops you from doing something, it makes you want to do it more,” Tran shared, reflecting on her persistence.
Navigating through a male-dominated field, Tran has developed insights into femininity in music, asserting that any instrument can be played by anyone, regardless of gender.
“We should not define gender for the instrument that we play,” she stated, stressing that her passion for the saxophone stems from its sound rather than societal stereotypes surrounding players.
When it comes to expressing her personality on stage, Tran believes music is a unique language that varies from person to person.
She has her distinct voice through the saxophone, drawing from her father’s teachings, but ultimately interpreting music in her own emotional language.
Among her musical signatures, Tran gravitates towards soft and melodic pieces filled with emotion.
She acknowledges the technical skills of many fellow saxophonists but emphasizes that conveying emotion and storytelling through music matters most to her.
Incorporating her Vietnamese heritage into her sound, Tran often utilizes the pentatonic scale—a hallmark of Vietnamese music.
“This sound belongs to Vietnam, and it is deeply embedded in my music,” she explained.
Since relocating to the United States at 14, Tran has consistently celebrated her Vietnamese identity.
At 21, she is proud to share her story and culture with others in her new home, viewing herself as a bilingual Vietnamese artist who learns and adapts from diverse experiences.
Boston’s vibrant music landscape has been instrumental in her growth.
Tran appreciates the diverse community at Berklee, filled mainly with international students, which has exposed her to music styles she has never encountered before.
“It amazes me in so many ways and inspires me a lot,” she remarked about her experience in the city.
As she builds her career, dialogue among international students, particularly those from Vietnam, impacts her journey positively, leading her to foster local connections.
Initially surrounded mainly by fellow Vietnamese students, Tran later discovered a substantial Vietnamese community in Boston.
“Repping Vietnam is something I have always tried to do,” she affirmed, acknowledging her father’s groundbreaking presence as the first Vietnamese student at Berklee on a full scholarship.
Despite the common perceptions of Vietnam often tied to the war and cuisine like pho and bánh mì, Tran is determined to highlight the country’s rich cultural tapestry.
She enthusiastically shares her homeland’s beauty, successfully encouraging friends to explore Vietnam after they’ve seen her journey.
Tran’s musical legacy is a blend of her experiences in both Vietnam and the U.S., creating a unique identity as an artist.
While her current EP is in English, she plans to release her next work in Vietnamese, signifying her commitment to showcasing her dual heritage.
“Living in two worlds influences my art significantly,” Tran concluded, looking forward to her continued evolution as a saxophonist and musician.
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