Chi Tai

Chi Tai (1958-    ) is a famous Vietnamese musician, comedian and actor.  He had first risen to prominence in the Vietnamese-American community in the 1980s as the lead guitarist of the popular band, Chi Tai Brothers.

Nguyen Chi Tai was born on August 15, 1958 in Saigon, South Vietnam.  At the age of 23, he left Vietnam to resettle in the United States.  A few years later, he and his brother, Chi Thien, along with four other band members formed Chi Tai Brothers which initially played at weddings and parties.  As their popularity grew, Chi Tai Brothers landed a steady weekly gig at Au Baccara Nightclub in Fountain Valley, California and also toured throughout the United States, Canada and Europe playing at live shows for Vietnamese audiences.  In 1987, Chi Tai wrote the lyrics to the song, Nguoi Yeu Dau, which became a big hit for singer Ngoc Lan.

In the 1990s, Chi Tai owned and operated Chi Tai Recording Studio in Santa Ana, California.  He did music arrangements and recorded for some of the biggest names among overseas Vietnamese singers.  In 1992, Chi Tai began collaborating with Thuy Nga and made his debut appearance on Paris By Night Volume 18 as the lead guitarist accompanying his wife, singer Phuong Loan.  He would make many more appearances on Paris By Night as a musician.

Hoai Linh and Chi Tai

During a live show performance in 1997, Chi Tai filled in at the last minute as Hoai Linh's sidekick in a comedy sketch.  The overwhelming positive response of his performance that night paved the way for a new career for Chi Tai as a comedic actor.  Since 2000, Chi Tai has performed in numerous comedy sketches on Paris By Night alongside Hoai Linh, Hong Dao, Quang Minh, Trang Thanh Lan, My Huyen, Bang Kieu, Viet Huong, Thuy Nga, Kieu Oanh and Huong Thuy.  He has also performed in comedy sketches on video for Van Son Entertainment and Tinh Productions.  In recent years, Chi Tai has appeared in many Vietnamese feature comedy films and television serials such as Cong Chua Teen va Ngu Ho Tuong (2010) starring Bao Thy, Yen Trang and Khong Tu Quynh, Oan Gia Dai Chien (2011) starring Miu Le and the late Kieu Linh, Gia Su Nu Quai (2012) starring Bao Thy and Tran Thanh, Nha Co 5 Nang Tien (2013) starring Hoai Linh, Viet Huong and Ngan Khanh, Nam Sau Con Lai Ve (2014) and Trung So (2015) starring Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc and Dustin Nguyen.

Happily married to wife, Phuong Loan, former lead singer of Chi Tai Brothers, since 1997, Chi Tai divides his time between homes in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Orange County, California.  They have no children.