Concert Review: Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement at Capitol Theatre

Kamasi Washington is the kind of man who brings jazz into the new age, utilising unusual riffs and instrumentation to add on to his preexisting body of work. Let’s start with a caveat: I’m not a jazz person and can’t recognise the specific technicalities that go into jazz, but if anything, the crowd at capitol theatre was buzzing as they gathered before the show. It … Continue reading Concert Review: Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement at Capitol Theatre

Music Is: Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra at Esplanade Concert Hall

Having made its debut 10 years ago at Tokyo’s Jazz Auditoria 2013, Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra comprises some of the finest jazz players in Japan. For one night only, this acclaimed ensemble returns to Esplanade for an electrifying, soul-stirring night of big band jazz. Led by trumpet virtuoso and music director Eric Miyashiro, Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra has performed at festivals … Continue reading Music Is: Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra at Esplanade Concert Hall

The Esplanade releases Tan Dun’s Martial Arts Trilogy online

From start to finish, I spent a total of twelve years composing music for three wuxia (martial arts) films: Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, Zhang Yimou’s “Hero”, and Feng Xiaogang’s “The Banquet” – Tan Dun Performed in the Esplanade Concert Hall at Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts in 2012, come experience Tan Dun’s Martial Arts Trilogy, available online for a limited time. Showcasing … Continue reading The Esplanade releases Tan Dun’s Martial Arts Trilogy online

The Esplanade’s Jazz In July Goes Online With Month-long Series of Jazz Duets

With the restrictions on live performances still ongoing, the Esplanade is still powering through with more online performances and digital versions of their regularly scheduled programmes. The latest of these that has been announced is a new, online version of Jazz in July, celebrating jazz and its diverse subgenres and outfits. A staple of the Esplanade’s programme for the last 12 years, Jazz in July is … Continue reading The Esplanade’s Jazz In July Goes Online With Month-long Series of Jazz Duets

Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series: The Manhattan Transfer (Review)

50 years on and still one of the absolute best vocal groups around. The Manhattan Transfer are undoubtedly one of America’s greatest treasures. Comprising Janis Siegel, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne, along with newest member Trist Curless, the multiple Grammy Award-winning pop/jazz vocal quartet returned to the Esplanade Theatre after eight years on Tuesday, performing tracks from their latest album, along with all their greatest … Continue reading Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series: The Manhattan Transfer (Review)

Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series: An Interview with Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer

Few bands last a decade, let alone five. But for American jazz quarter The Manhattan Transfer, with a whopping 30 albums and millions of worldwide record sales and sold-out tours across their career, the multiple Grammy Award-winning band makes it seem easy, having essentially perfected the art of a capella, vocalese and swing over the last 50 years. Having last performed at the Esplanade eight … Continue reading Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series: An Interview with Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer

Preview: SSO Gala – Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 2

28 year old Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov has received critical acclaim and praise for his wide imagination and incredible harmony. Now, he’s about to make his Singapore debut this April, with the dark majesty and Romantic grandeur of Rachmaninov’s popular Second Piano Concerto, promising a powerful showcase of his pianist gifts as part of the SSO Gala Concert series. Abduraimov has worked with plenty of leading … Continue reading Preview: SSO Gala – Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 2

Preview: VCH Excite! My Muse – Rani Singam presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Rani Singam, Singapore’s ‘first lady of jazz’, takes to the stage this April as part of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO)’s VCH Excite! series. Taking the form of a music-movie concept, Rani Singam will tell the story of our collective lives through both narration and song, inspired particularly by “Remember”, the love theme from the movie Cinema Paradiso which forms part of the programme. During the programme, audiences are … Continue reading Preview: VCH Excite! My Muse – Rani Singam presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Blue Note Tokyo: A Touch of Class In The Heart of Tokyo

I’m convinced Tokyo is one of the most magical megalopolises to exist on the face of the earth. Beyond being situated in Japan (no doubt a favourite country of ours), there’s life all about the city from the crack of dawn to the fading of the last sunbeams. And in particular, Roppongi comes out tops when it comes to the king of Tokyo nightlife. But … Continue reading Blue Note Tokyo: A Touch of Class In The Heart of Tokyo

Review: Diva to the Death by Bite Me Productions

An amazingly fun show with a hilarious, laugh-a-minute script and outrageous characters well-performed by the talented cast. Potential spoilers up ahead! Theatrical dining experiences are still a pretty new concept to Singapore, but with Bite Me Productions’ spectacular debut, they’ve already set the bar pretty high for other shows to follow. From the madcap imagination of Chestnuts creator Jonathan Lim comes Diva to the Death, as he pits jazz … Continue reading Review: Diva to the Death by Bite Me Productions