Tri Pham

Member Since: 2026 | Location: San Francisco | Page Views: 109

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About Me

Vietnamese jazz guitarist, composer, and educator currently based in San Francisco, California.

Tri Pham is a Vietnamese jazz guitarist, composer, and educator originally from Saigon, Vietnam, and currently based in San Francisco, California. He began playing guitar at the age of 12 and draws inspiration from jazz legends such as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane, as well as contemporary guitarists Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gilad Hekselman, Jonathan Kreisberg and Julian Lage. Tri is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Roots, Jazz, and American Music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Randy Vincent and Anthony Wilson. He has also studied with respected jazz educators including Mimi Fox, David Becker, and David Valdez. Throughout his career, Tri has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Jeff Denson, Gerald Cleaver, Erik Jekabson, David Sánchez, Matt Brewer, Warren Wolf, Edward Simon, Vince Lateano, and David Schroeder. He has performed at major events including the San Francisco Jazz Festival (2025) and the International Jazz Day Festival (2024). His appearances have taken him to renowned venues throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including SFJAZZ, Paramount Theatre, Black Cat Jazz Supper Club, Bird & Beckett, and The Dawn Club, as well as notable jazz venues in Saigon, including Binh Minh Jazz Club, BOSSA Jazz Spot, and COI Saigon. In addition to performing, Tri has more than a decade of teaching experience. He has taught at leading private music schools in Vietnam and the San Francisco Bay Area and continues to work with students worldwide through online instruction. His students come from across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

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Tri Pham

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because of its freedom of self- expression—its melodies, harmonies, and rhythms—and the way it can blend so naturally with music from other cultures. I was first exposed to jazz when I was around 16, listening to the album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane. I met Larry Koonse on my first visit to the U.S. He is one of my musical heroes. Hearing him perform live completely blew me away, and I admire him not only as a musician but also for how kind and generous he is as a person. The best show I have ever attended was the Melissa Aldana Quartet at SFJAZZ in 2026. The first jazz record I bought was My Song by Keith Jarrett. My advice to new listeners is: keep your ears open! Many jazz traditions were once radical innovations, and innovation itself is one of the strongest traditions in jazz.