Chris Minh Doky

Chris Minh Doky was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on February 7, 1969 in to a musical family. His Danish mother is a former successful pop singer, his Vietnamese father is a medical doctor and an accomplished classical guitarist and Chris' brother set out to be a musician at a very early age.

Although growing up in a musical household Chris never intended to become a musician. Just for the pure fun of it he started playing the classical piano at age six. In the next few years to come he received three awards at the Royal Danish Conservatory for Classical Music. At 15, Chris picked up the electric bass by coincidence. Two years later, at 17, he would pick up the upright bass after hearing Ron Carter on the Miles Davis album My Funny Valentine. The following year Chris received the Gold Medal price (this time around, on upright bass) at the Royal Danish Conservatory for Contemporary Music.

At age 18, Chris realized he had to be a musician and let go of his medical plans. Chris had already become a much sought after and even influential bassist in the Copenhagen jazz and funk scene. Indeed, he was to become as influential on the international scene in the years to come....

In August of 1989, Chris moved to New York City and it wasn't before long he started to get noticed. Early on, he performed around town with other young musicians, whom would later also become major artists (Joey Calderazzo, Kevin Heyes, Larry Goldings, Curtis Stigers, Ben Perowsky and others). But also the already established artists had an eye on the young bass player from Denmark. At 21, Chris became the bassist for Mike Stern and soon other great music legends would also choose him as their choice bassist (David Sanborn, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bill Evans, Trilok Gurtu, Randy Brecker, David Sylvian, Kirk Whalum and many others).

In 1989 Chris got his first recording contract with the Storyville label, and would over the following 3 years release three acclaimed albums (Appreciation, The Sequel, Letters). Later, in 1995, Chris was signed to the famed Blue Note records and have now released three successful and acclaimed albums on that label that all drew praise from critics, musicians and audiences alike (Doky Brothers, Doky Brothers 2, Minh).

The present

Chris Minh Doky is today one of the hottest and most sought after jazz bassists/-soloists there is. He has with great success, continually toured the globe performing and recording as a leader and with the top artists of the world (Al Jarreau, Michael & Randy Brecker, John Scofield, Toots Thielemanns, Dianne Reeves, Kenny Garrett, Jack DeJohnette, Ryuichi Sakamoto and numerous others).

Words like impressive and awe-inspiring come immediately into any conversation when people are talking about Chris. The young bassist has been headhunted for years by some of the world's biggest music legends. Not only in jazz but also in funk, pop, rock and beyond. Chris is a jazz musician that travels the spectrum of styles without loosing one bit of his personality and jazz roots. And you can always hear it's him.

Chris' style and sound is often described as warm, lyrical, distinctive and personal.
Italy's JAZZ magazine calls him: "... a virtuoso ...."
Ken Franckling of Down Beat magazine wrote: "... there is a softness and crisp clarity that is very different from the sound other derive from the acoustic instrument".
His homeland's Politiken describes him like this: "... the only other bassist that in regards to his relationship with his instrument, comes close to that of Niels Henning Orsted Petersen", mentioning the other famous Danish bassist.

His ability to groove in any setting, being it jazz, funk, pop or beyond has made Chris very popular outside the jazz world as well. Not often seen by a mainly acoustic bassist.

When asked to describe his own playing, Chris says: "Melody is extremely important to me. I grew up in Denmark where the traditional songbook was and still very much is a big influence on me, so when I solo I actually try to "sing" those songs. At the same time I've also been equally drawn to grooves characteristic of the East Coast. In essence you can say that my playing is a result of my deep love for the Danish/Scandinavian musical tradition and for the American sense of groove."

As a composer, bandleader, producer and recording artist he is not less gifted. He is one of the very few jazz artists who has Platinum Awarded CD sales and having his recordings being among the top five on even the pop charts. He has been voted among the top ten bassists of 1999 in Japan's Ad Lib Magazine and has received Artist of the Year awards in his homeland. Even US President Bill Clinton has noticed Chris and invited him to perform for the President at the White House.

While living in New York City, performing and recording internationally, Chris still keeps a close tie with his homeland. He has produced Danish artists (Sanne Salomonsen, Alex Riel, Caroline Henderson and others) and written music for several TV films and symphony orchestras.

An original and gifted artist, Chris' works have been released internationally on several solo albums. The 7th and most recent being Listen Up! which explores the funky side of jazz with some of the greatest players today.