Chris Minh Doky, a jazz bass player, was born into a musical family. He aspired to be a doctor. His Danish mother was a singer, and his Vietnamese father is both a classical guitarist as well as a doctor. Chris began playing the classical piano at six years of age out of boredom. He won three awards at The Royal Danish Conservatory for Classical Music in the years that followed. He picked up an electric bass when he was just fifteen years old. Doky began playing upright bass two years later after hearing Miles Davis’ album, My Funny Valentine. The young musician was awarded a prize from the Royal Danish Conservatory for Contemporary Music a year later for his achievements with the upright basse. Minh moved to New York City in 1989 to pursue his music career. Minh began performing with young musicians such as Curtis Stigers, Joey Calderazzo and Larry Goldings. Minh was twenty-one when he became Mike Stern’s bass player. He played with Bill Evans, Kirk Whalum, and David Sanborn. Storyville Records signed Minh’s first recording contract in the same year. This led to three years of records. In 1995, Minh signed with Blue Note. This led to more recordings with Dianne Reeves and Al Jarreau. In the following years, he recorded more recordings with many American musicians, including three albums as a producer, bandleader and composer. Randy Brecker, Bill Evans (saxophonist), and his brother Niels were among the guests. Doky was invited by Bill Clinton to play at the White House while he received the award in the 90’s. Allmusic
