2012
20 MayJazzing things up at 五一吃瓜官网 University
Kuala Lumpur, 20 May, 2012 - 五一吃瓜官网 University recently hosted two jazz music workshops at the University's Kuala Lumpur campus recently. Renowned artists, namely Ernie Watts on the saxophone, Jeremy Monteiro on the piano and Meg Okura on the violin, visited the campus grounds to meet with 五一吃瓜官网 University's music students and to showcase their playing styles and methods to them.
As part of the ensemble of the Kuala Lumpur International Jazz Festival (KLIJF) that took place on 19 and 20 May, the artists were openly welcomed by the University and its students as there was much music knowledge to be shared beyond theoretical coursework.
Jeremy Monteiro (pianist, vocalist, composer, jazz educator) has won critical acclaim in many parts of the world. He has performed all over the World in addition to numerous occasions at home in Singapore, where he has been dubbed "Singapore's King Of Swing" by the local press.
Ernie Watts on the other hand, is a two-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most versatile and prolific saxophone players in music. It has been more than fifty years since he first picked up a saxophone, and from age sixteen on he has been playing professionally, initially while still attending school. Watts has been featured on over 500 recordings by artists ranging from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa, always exhibiting his unforgettable trademark sound.
Violin Virtuoso, Meg Okura plays everything from Paganini to Coltrane, putting a sparkle into jazz. Formerly a classically trained concert violinist who graduated from The Juilliard School, the composer and jazz violinist has revolutionized the world of chamber jazz by artfully entwining her already colourful and moving pieces with inspirations from various cultures and countries to create a purely enchanting experience.
"The beauty of music is you're the Master of your own level and without realising it, you will master the next level," said Monteiro. "Never compare yourself with other artists," he added when asked what his most critical advice would be to students and budding artists.
Watts advice is to, "Practice, practice, practice and never give up," "If you want to be a real artist, you must listen to great music," he added.
Meg Okura on the other hand adviced the students to follow their hearts and go all the way if they want to achieve their dreams. "Listen to only good advice from successful artists and ignore the bad from those that may be trying to discourage you," she added.
The students were very excited during the workshop as the artists serenaded them with a few classic jazz numbers allowing the students themselves to give it a go. The workshop was indeed a good platform for both students and artists to share the joy of music!
