Most audiences will know Cuong Vu from his work from the Pat Metheny Group, where he has spent the last few years contributing his richly sonorous and melodic trumpet playing to the guitarist’s signature sound. That’s only one side to the Vietnam-born, Seattle-raised player, however—he’s also sat in with musicians as diverse as Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, and fellow trumpeter Dave Douglas, and with last year’s release of his own It’s Mostly Residual (ArtistShare), Vu seems poised for much greater recognition. The CD displays Vu’s versatility at the edgy improvisations you’d expect from a member of the downtown New York scene, but it also highlights his gift for unexpectedly gorgeous melodies, rolled out over the lush soundscapes laid down by Stomu Takeishi on electric bass and Ted Poor on drums. (Another famous guitarist, Bill Frisell, sits in on the disc as well.) With Vu increasingly recognized as one of the most distinctive voices on his instrument, and with Residual popping up on critics’ “Best of 2005” lists across the country, the trio’s upcoming performance at the new Hallwalls space may offer Buffalo audiences a chance to say they saw him before he became famous.

Thursday, February 23 at 8pm. Hallwalls Cinema, 341 Delaware Ave. (854-1694). $12 general, $8 members, students, seniors.