Royal Selangor’s Yong Yoon Li and Chen Tien Yue on how its very first jazz festival is certain to hit all the right notes

Jazz fascinates because it thrives on a balance between strict rules and the freedom to improvise. Musicians ad-lib freely and listeners can often predict notes and riffs, making it an interactive experience.

This dynamic is quite similar to pewtersmithing, says Royal Selangor managing director Datuk Yong Yoon Li.  “While we are bound by the strict rules of working with metal, we are inspired to push the boundaries of pewter and have the creative freedom to design a wide range of products, from drinkware to décor, desk accessories, collectibles and even sound amplifiers.”

The parallel inspired the head of the 139-year-old company to embrace and support jazz in November 2020, when it hosted the virtual Malaysian Jazz Marathon to raise funds for The Malaysian Real Book, an anthology of playable sheet music for enthusiasts, students and professionals alike. It was published in 2022. That same year, jazz became a staple at its cafe, where local musicians and young talent gather to perform fortnightly.

Pianist, composer, arranger and producer Tay Cher Siang plays a key role in this initiative, say Yong and cousin Chen Tien Yue, executive director, Royal Selangor Marketing Sdn Bhd. “It helps us connect with our community and celebrate the artistry that defines both jazz and our craft.”

So, what better way to mark the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre’s 20th anniversary this year than with an onsite jazz festival? The inaugural event on July 14 will feature acts by 17 bands across four stages, as well as jam sessions, film screenings and quizzes.

For those planning a family day out, there are picks aplenty from food trucks parked at the venue in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. Jazz buffs hoping to expand their collection can rummage for prized memorabilia at booths selling rare vinyl records. As for the shows, sit back and groove to the music, or join in and create some yourself.

When asked why they decided on jazz instead of dance or a classical concert, Yong explains that the genre has a unique yet universal appeal: “It is understood and appreciated in many countries, each having its own form of jazz. This makes it a perfect medium for connecting with diverse audiences.”

The loyal following this global brand has developed over the years and the zeal of young musicians dedicating their formative years to jazz music inspired the pair to host the festival and support talent, especially in the arts.

“This event also aligns with our legacy and values of fostering creativity and community. It’s a fun and engaging way to bring people together and celebrate the vibrant jazz culture that has become an integral part of our identity,” the cousins share.

Royal Selangor was started by their great-grandfather Yong Koon, from Guangdong province, China, who joined his brothers in Kuala Lumpur in 1885. They made traditional Chinese altar paraphernalia and things for the home, such as pewter incense burners, candle stands, teapots and wine ewers.

Demand from British and Western expatriates in the early part of the 20th century led them to craft European-style items before expanding to drinkware, tableware, personal accessories and more. Today, the company exports to more than 20 countries and has showrooms and offices in major cities worldwide. All its products are manufactured at its plant in KL, where it is headquartered.

It is said that synergy flows when culture and business connect. Has Yong himself seen it work?

“Yes,” he responds, “in various contexts where businesses leverage cultural elements to create a richer, more engaging experience for their customers.”

The result is a unique and powerful dynamic that can significantly enhance a brand’s appeal and relevance, he adds.

 

 

Royal Selangor has worked with artists, among them Erik Magnussen from Denmark, Jarrod Lim and Nathan Yong (Singapore), Freeman Lau (Hong Kong), and Jamy Yang and Xu Xiaoyong (China) to bring out special collections.

Additionally, it has partnered organisations such as the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum in England as well as the National Palace Museum of Taiwan to design objects inspired by treasures from their collections. There have also been collaborations with Marvel, the Star Wars film franchise and Medicom Toy on collectibles, memorabilia and limited editions that celebrate the best each has to offer.

“Just as jazz has roots that honour the past while pushing creative boundaries, the festival allows [us] to celebrate this synergy, bringing people together through the universal language of music and highlighting our dedication to culture, creativity and community,” Yong says.

He hopes the event will be a catalyst for broader cultural engagement. “If it resonates well with the KL jazz movement, we hope to make it a recurring event.”

If the “incredibly encouraging” support of the musicians in the line-up says anything, it would be a resounding “Yes!” And leading the chorus is Tay, who knows Yong is an ardent music lover and broached the idea of the Malaysian Jazz Marathon when they became acquainted in 2020.

When the pandemic hit, Tay was part of the Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival committee working to crowdfund The Malaysian Real Book.

The jazz marathon, an online streaming concert that ran non-stop for 12 hours, was a hit: It drew 150,000 views. Eighteen bands were involved as well as industry folk, from studio owners to sound engineers and suppliers. The stage was placed smack on Royal Selangor’s factory floor — a cool idea that garnered many compliments from visitors.

“Since my first visit to the Visitor Centre, it has been my dream to curate music concerts at the cafe, a beautiful place with lush greenery in the background,” Tay says.

His dream came true when the company began supporting the fortnightly afternoon jazz sessions. The festival, which he was approached to curate, is a continuation of this whole series of events.

“Most of the rostered performers have been part of the Sunday shows, so this is like a reunion of sorts. But it is the beginning of another chapter in the Royal Selangor history and we are proud to be part of it.”

Jazz has an image of prestige, tradition, cultural values and creativity that gels with the established brand. At the same time, the company has been working hard to bring out trendy and fashionable lines to attract new customers, the same way the music is reaching out to younger audiences, he adds.

Besides ensuring that all goes well on the ground, Tay will also be busy on stage, performing originals and rearrangements of Malayan tunes and other classics with his band, WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble, and joining violinist Huan Po Ann in The Music of Imagination, among other acts.

“We are trying to bring the best of the Malaysian jazz scene, the variety, diversity and many facets of this music genre,  compacted into one day. All these acts will entertain and, at the same time, perhaps convert the newbies to jazz cats!”

 

 

Join in the fun with bands that are all-out to show jazz is thriving

Diversity and variety will bookend back-to-back performances at the inaugural Royal Selangor Jazz Festival. If this music genre speaks to your soul, get the schedule and go for it. Bands in the line-up promise to have you swinging and swaying from morning till night. You can even be part of the action: Bring along your instrument and jam with them, sing and scat. Or, just watch.

Opening act The Shang Sisters, representative of Nanyang jazz, will set the tone for the fest with songs in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay and Hokkien, or even a blend of them in one number.

BonaHop and The Frankie Sixes, bands scheduled for the late afternoon, will make sure you are still tapping when “Jazz Mama” Junji Delfino steps on stage with authentic jazz mood pieces and standards, or transforms evergreen favourites with twists and scatting.

Helming the jam session (3pm to 5pm) are Boys That Swing, which aims to stoke interest in the genre by showing “it is not just some old-time music. It can be fresh and exciting. Also, jazz is not something you can get only from the US. It can be found here in our own country as well”.

The group plans to keep the sessions light and relaxed, with jazz standards and solos in between the start and end of the day. “After all, it’s a place for musicians to have fun and create music together. It’ll be nice to meet someone new, and see our peers and seniors. We’re excited about playing together.”

As for any “surprises”, this band comprising Lim Kah Loke (trumpet), Neal Fariz (guitar), Goh Zhi Wei (piano), Jeremy Quek (bass) and Pei Yeang (drums) will debut some of its own original numbers. The guys started as sessionists and now do music full time. They had met at jam sessions and banded together last August.

Picking up on the relaxed jibe, Kah Loke, as he is known in music circles, thinks keeping the programme open and free adds to the thrill of being on stage because “you have to rely on your own skills to get out of a ‘sticky’ situation. Jazz allows one to be really creative and express oneself, and appreciation for it is growing”.

At one point, events celebrating this genre were common in Malaysia, such as the Kuala Lumpur International Jazz Fest, Penang Island Jazz Fest and, recently, the Kuala Lumpur River Jazz Fest. “Jazz has never been a commercially successful genre, but it has been important to every one of us. We’re trying to make music that excites us. The scene is getting more active and demand is increasing.”

People want to play but jam sessions are not common, the group says. “Probably, that will be the attraction. We think it’s great that a well-established company is taking an interest in providing a platform and nurturing local talent. We hope this sets a precedent and other businesses will follow in their footsteps.”

Guitarist, composer and educator Az Samad echoes those sentiments. “I’m always grateful when businesses support jazz, music or any form of art, which has traditionally been supported through various forms of patronage. This is healthy, as it allows more creatives to carve out art that is not necessarily driven by commercial appeal alone. Every time there is a festival or big event like this, more people have the opportunity to discover our rich musical scene. I’m happy to be a part of this experience.”

Fans who follow his work can expect a mix of familiar and unfamiliar tunes, all played with a nod to the greats who inspire him and continue to shape his style, among them Joe Pass, John Stowell and Julian Lage. As for newbies to the genre, “just enjoy the set, as you’ll hear some popular tunes but in a guitar setting”.

Az will perform picks from P Ramlee and home-grown composer Jimmy Boyle, and an original work, Piñata, inspired by the music of jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, and debut some pieces arranged for this festival. One of them is I’ll Be Seeing You, the 1938 hit by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal. “It’s a beautiful song with a very lyrical melody. It sounds simple but it has been a tricky one for me to interpret.”

Delfino, a regular in the local music scene, says she has amassed a fair number of songs from her many years of collaborations with Tay Cher Siang and the WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble. “Narrowing it down to an hour-long set is a big challenge.”

But she is all ready to entertain with her personal favourites, ranging from Billie Holiday to Disney, the Beatles, Alicia Keys and Jimmy Boyle. “There will be something for everyone.”

Delfino expresses “total respect and absolute gratitude to Royal Selangor for its unwavering support of our little jazz community”, which started during the lockdown in 2020, when Tay organised the first Malaysian Jazz Marathon, held at the company’s foundry.

“That gave rise to the Sunday afternoon jazz affairs at its cafe, which have become a popular go-to for many,” she adds.

Her husband, acclaimed pianist, vocalist, composer and music producer David Gomes, is equally thankful. “In today’s world of handphone screen lovers, it is wonderful to see a corporate business entity facilitating and supporting jazz, a music genre that encompasses the full spectrum of human emotions and teaches the listener to enjoy music with the heart, and not the eyes.”

For his set, Gomes — who in 2022 released his first solo album, Stepping Out, after four decades in the industry — has put together vocal tunes that are more recognisable locally and some that are not. “As I’m in the afternoon slot, my presentations will be tempered and enjoyable for all.”

The Frankie Sixes, led by singer-songwriter Reza Salleh, plans to play songs from its upcoming second LP,  which they are recording this year, and “share its own interpretation of Malaysian swing jazz, using the genre to frame and convey local narratives”.

The genre is not as niche as some may think, Reza says, and “our musical DNA — all the way from P Ramlee, Alfonso Soliano and Jimmy Boyle in the 1940s and 1950s, through to its infusion in pop via Sheila Majid and the like in the 1980s, and the plethora of local jazz fests in the 2000s — shows that Malaysians have an appetite for jazz.

“What is lacking are consistent avenues and platforms to keep that appetite alive and well. So, more power, I say, to those who provide just that.”

Tour-de-force band FAZZ has lined up a full set of originals for visitors. “We can’t wait to revisit and share our current interpretation of some older tunes and, more importantly, engage with and have them communicated to the audience. The process of music making is always exhilarating for us,” says vocalist Tan Yon Lynn.

Jazz as a music genre is now more accessible, she notes, and not as obscure as most may think. “It is a great space to spotlight the voice of artistes. It’s not only about being suave, polished and expensive. This is a great space to listen to ideas, conversations and have a dialogue.

“We are aware that it takes a lot to organise a music festival of any scale. Typically for the arts, it always starts with a [simple] conversation. It is definitely a good time for everyone, audience and musicians, to come out and experience how jazz as a language has been woven into our lives as Malaysians, at this particular point and space.

“FAZZ is always about taking the alternative route of expression in music and its members love addressing the obvious and the subtle, the good, bad and ugly — ideas we don’t commonly romanticise in our conversations. We are also heavily theatre-influenced. So, you can catch a different take on showmanship when it comes to our interpretation of performing jazz. We also cannot wait to share the stage with the many talented local jazz musicians featured.”

Young talent has a place at the festival, too. The UiTM Ensemble has put together a set list of jazz, pop, bossa nova and other numbers, including Malay, English and instrumental songs. Members of the ensemble, who are still undergraduates and met through mutual friends or in class, found they liked the same kind of music and decided to perform professionally together.

“It was a natural progression from enjoying music to creating something of our own. We try to approach this from the perspective of the younger generation. We include fresh flavours to attract more people, both young and old,” says bassist Muhammad Aiman Za’im Sharuddin.

Other performers on the programme are the WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble, UCSI Ensemble, Kirana Kay, Jo Quintet, Tan Jin Weng Quartet, Rizal Tony, Jiu Shi Yi, violinist Huan Po Ann, Eddie Wen & Friends, and Janet Lee, who is part of The Shang Sisters.

 

The inaugural Royal Selangor Jazz Festival will be held on July 14 from 10am to 10pm at 4, Jalan Usahawan 6, Setapak Jaya, Kuala Lumpur. Entry at RM150. Purchase here visitorcentre.royalselangor.com.
 

This article first appeared on July 8, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.