By Anthony Tan
Get Ready To Rock With Aseana Percussion Unit From Malaysia
My first encounter with the group Aseana Percussion Unit aka APU was when I was the Event and Exhibition Manager of a Malay national newspaper group and given the task to organise the first anniversary celebration of yachtsman Datuk Azhar Mansor's triumphant return from his solo voyage at Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi
I had engaged the APU to provide music for the evening function and asked them to play music that was popular at the places along the route taken by Datuk Azhar when he was circumnavigating the globe.
My next project with them was getting them to be the band in attendance for the eFest soft launch at Putra World Trade Centre, which was officiated by then Tourism Minister, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Panglima Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.
APU was formed in 1998 when four guys got together. It was led by Edwin Nathaniel with the thought of experimenting on blending the sounds and rhythms of different types of drums and percussions.
One of the APU members I find a cut above is Kirubakaran aka Kiruba who comes from a long line of Indian classical musicians as his grandfather was a master musician of Indian percussion and taught Kiruba the fundamentals of the art. Watch out for him and see him “talk” to you using his fingers on the tablas.
Over the years, APU has grown to have 10-11 of highly skilled percussionists and musicians, who have been invited to perform in many major international music festivals.
I can’t wait to rock and swing with Aseana Percussion Unit at the Penang World Music Festival to be held at the Quarry Recreational Park in Botanic Garden from 30th March to 1st April 2012.
See APU's preview below.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Penang World Music Festival 2012 - for the 3rd time
By Anthony Tan
Penang hosted its first Penang World Music Festival (PWMF) in 2007 and the following year. It stopped for three years after that. This year, the state government decided to resuscitate the PWMF and join the big league of music festivals around the world.
Malaysia is well known for its music fests. They include the award-winning Rainforest World Music Festival, Borneo Jazz Festival (formerly known as the Miri International Jazz Festival) and the Penang Jazz Festival.
The PWMF will return to be “bigger and better” when it is staged open air at the picturesque Quarry Recreational Park in Botanical Garden, Penang from 30 March to 1 April 2012.
The Penang’s Tourism Development and Culture Office is the organiser while UCSI Communications Sdn Bhd (UComms) is the event management consultant.
A line up of 18 international music groups has been selected from Africa, Australia, the Philippines, Colombia, South Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Bali and Malaysia with the genre ranging from the blues to salsa, reggae and traditional music.
The international bands include Maite Hontele from Colombia, Kalja Riddim Klan (Vanuatu), Gus Teja World Music (Bali), Beoga (Ireland), Tori Ensemble (South Korea) and Wild Marmalade (Australia).
They will be joined by Malaysian bands such as the Aseana Percussion Unit from Kuala Lumpur, Didit Dinai (Sarawak), Penang Dhol Blasters (Penang), Kumpulan Minang Moh (Negeri Sembilan) and Geng Wak Long (Kelantan).
For the event to be successful, sponsors and local support are vital. Hard Rock Hotel, Penang is the official hotel for the PWMF while Discovery Overland Holidays is the official tour operator.
PWMF is also supported by KDU College, Penang Campus, Penang Global Tourism and Virtual Malaysia. KDU College will assist in providing more than 100 volunteers to run the festival while Virtual Malaysia will provide the IT support.
Let me share with you some previews of the participating groups at this year’s PWMF. Please take note, these are samples clips and the performing groups may not play same the pieces at PWMF.
Tori Ensemble (South Korea) is a world music project group, comprising of four Korean traditional musicians. Combining meditative melody of royal court music with the dynamic and rough rhythm of folk, Tori Ensemble has cleverly re-arranged it into a new modern sound. Making use of Korea’s diverse traditional music, the band is harmonising Eastern with Western forms, concocting a new sound of beautiful music that can be appreciated by people of all ages and origins.
Maite Hontelé - Interview clip
Maite Hontele (Colombia) grew up surrounded by music especially the sound of son, salsa and changui beats. Being a daughter of a musician, it was only natural that Maite joined a brass band in her neighbourhood, playing the trumpet at the tender age of 14. Later on she joined bigger bands and performed in various concerts and festivals around Colombia. Now she is settled in Colombia and began a project name Lledgo’ la Mona, Tributo a la musica Colombiana.
Altan Urag (Mongolian) is Monglian folk rock band that was formed in 2002. As the band members were trained in classical Mongolian music, Altan Urag musical style is very unique after they blended in the traditional tunes with contemporary influences.
Formed in 2002, Altan Urag will showcase some of the most unique instruments from Mongolia and their performances also include throat singing.
Wild Marmalade(Australia)is an energetic trance, drum and Didjeridoo band based in Byron Bay, Australia. Playing "totally live" without using any electronic machines, Wild Marmalade’s music is inspired by dance music. Blending the ancient sounds of the didjeridoo with contemborary dance beats, their sound is a meeting of Didge Si's rhythmic didjeridu playing, combined with the explosive grooves of the drum kit.
Gus Teja World Music (Indonesia) is one of the leading artists from Bali. His an ethnic music group that blends traditional musical instruments mostly bamboo xylophone, flute and drums with modern instruments like bass guitar. His Compositions fall in to the genres of global music, traditional music and folks music played with unique instruments inspired by Balinese Gamelan.
While their music has all the Balinese influence, Gus Teja World Music will also features flutes from all over the world in their performances. He lets his music talks to mind, body, spirit and goes straight to ones soul.
The Kalja Riddim Klan (KRK)from Vanuatu was formed in 2005 after a few friends started to travel around the archipelago of Vanuatu to explain on the custom songs. Inspired by the beats and messaged deeply rooted in culture and tradition, not only did this group of friends created a musical concept, they went to form a band. Their concept is simple- mixing the strong roots and culture of Vanuatu with actual music style and blending with international instruments. The end result is a genuine fusion of traditional and modern perspectives but spurred from the stories of their great grandparents.
I can’t wait to see the above groups play live and its going be “rock with you, baby” for the three nights.
Tickets to the festival are now available online at www.ticketxpress.com.my and are priced at RM90.00 per day for adults and RM45.00 for children aged five to 12 years old. Three-day passes are also available and are priced at RM220 each for adults and RM120 for children.
Penang hosted its first Penang World Music Festival (PWMF) in 2007 and the following year. It stopped for three years after that. This year, the state government decided to resuscitate the PWMF and join the big league of music festivals around the world.
Malaysia is well known for its music fests. They include the award-winning Rainforest World Music Festival, Borneo Jazz Festival (formerly known as the Miri International Jazz Festival) and the Penang Jazz Festival.
The PWMF will return to be “bigger and better” when it is staged open air at the picturesque Quarry Recreational Park in Botanical Garden, Penang from 30 March to 1 April 2012.
The Penang’s Tourism Development and Culture Office is the organiser while UCSI Communications Sdn Bhd (UComms) is the event management consultant.
A line up of 18 international music groups has been selected from Africa, Australia, the Philippines, Colombia, South Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Bali and Malaysia with the genre ranging from the blues to salsa, reggae and traditional music.
The international bands include Maite Hontele from Colombia, Kalja Riddim Klan (Vanuatu), Gus Teja World Music (Bali), Beoga (Ireland), Tori Ensemble (South Korea) and Wild Marmalade (Australia).
They will be joined by Malaysian bands such as the Aseana Percussion Unit from Kuala Lumpur, Didit Dinai (Sarawak), Penang Dhol Blasters (Penang), Kumpulan Minang Moh (Negeri Sembilan) and Geng Wak Long (Kelantan).
For the event to be successful, sponsors and local support are vital. Hard Rock Hotel, Penang is the official hotel for the PWMF while Discovery Overland Holidays is the official tour operator.
PWMF is also supported by KDU College, Penang Campus, Penang Global Tourism and Virtual Malaysia. KDU College will assist in providing more than 100 volunteers to run the festival while Virtual Malaysia will provide the IT support.
Let me share with you some previews of the participating groups at this year’s PWMF. Please take note, these are samples clips and the performing groups may not play same the pieces at PWMF.
Tori Ensemble (South Korea) is a world music project group, comprising of four Korean traditional musicians. Combining meditative melody of royal court music with the dynamic and rough rhythm of folk, Tori Ensemble has cleverly re-arranged it into a new modern sound. Making use of Korea’s diverse traditional music, the band is harmonising Eastern with Western forms, concocting a new sound of beautiful music that can be appreciated by people of all ages and origins.
Maite Hontelé - Interview clip
Maite Hontele (Colombia) grew up surrounded by music especially the sound of son, salsa and changui beats. Being a daughter of a musician, it was only natural that Maite joined a brass band in her neighbourhood, playing the trumpet at the tender age of 14. Later on she joined bigger bands and performed in various concerts and festivals around Colombia. Now she is settled in Colombia and began a project name Lledgo’ la Mona, Tributo a la musica Colombiana.
Altan Urag (Mongolian) is Monglian folk rock band that was formed in 2002. As the band members were trained in classical Mongolian music, Altan Urag musical style is very unique after they blended in the traditional tunes with contemporary influences.
Formed in 2002, Altan Urag will showcase some of the most unique instruments from Mongolia and their performances also include throat singing.
Wild Marmalade(Australia)is an energetic trance, drum and Didjeridoo band based in Byron Bay, Australia. Playing "totally live" without using any electronic machines, Wild Marmalade’s music is inspired by dance music. Blending the ancient sounds of the didjeridoo with contemborary dance beats, their sound is a meeting of Didge Si's rhythmic didjeridu playing, combined with the explosive grooves of the drum kit.
Gus Teja World Music (Indonesia) is one of the leading artists from Bali. His an ethnic music group that blends traditional musical instruments mostly bamboo xylophone, flute and drums with modern instruments like bass guitar. His Compositions fall in to the genres of global music, traditional music and folks music played with unique instruments inspired by Balinese Gamelan.
While their music has all the Balinese influence, Gus Teja World Music will also features flutes from all over the world in their performances. He lets his music talks to mind, body, spirit and goes straight to ones soul.
The Kalja Riddim Klan (KRK)from Vanuatu was formed in 2005 after a few friends started to travel around the archipelago of Vanuatu to explain on the custom songs. Inspired by the beats and messaged deeply rooted in culture and tradition, not only did this group of friends created a musical concept, they went to form a band. Their concept is simple- mixing the strong roots and culture of Vanuatu with actual music style and blending with international instruments. The end result is a genuine fusion of traditional and modern perspectives but spurred from the stories of their great grandparents.
I can’t wait to see the above groups play live and its going be “rock with you, baby” for the three nights.
Tickets to the festival are now available online at www.ticketxpress.com.my and are priced at RM90.00 per day for adults and RM45.00 for children aged five to 12 years old. Three-day passes are also available and are priced at RM220 each for adults and RM120 for children.
To be continue
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012 Countdown - in Genting Highlands
By Anthony Tan
I relished the idea of ushering in 2012 up in Genting Highlands as the theme of Resorts World Genting is the “Coolest Countdown Celebration”.
I balked when I learnt that it would be held in three separate venues starting at 10pm simultaneously. It was a tough choice trying to choose which one to go first.
After my dinner at the Coffee Terrace, which not only had a wide buffet spread prepared by the different open kitchens but also all-time Christmas and New Year favourites,
I ploughed through the crowds to arrive at the Arena of Stars (AoS) for the Classic Golden Melody New Year Countdown Show.
As the entry tickets are issued free, the 6,000-seat capacity hall was almost full when I went in past 10pm. It had a mixed crowd of the young and the old. Among the performers for the night were the top three winners of Astro Classic Golden Melody for 2011, How Kim Foong, Law Siew Yin, Wong Kwee Chin and 2010’s top two winners, Tam Sien Yeong and Wong Choong Weng.
Being an OCBC (Orang Cina bukan Cina), I enjoyed the ever popular Teresa Teng numbers sung by the artistes as I recognised their tunes but not so much the lyrics.
Curious to find out what was happening over at Times Square at the First World Plaza, I made my exit at around 11.15 pm.
As the Genting Outdoor Theme Park is sited next to Arena of Stars exit gates, I could see lots of people already gathered in there to secure for the best spots to watch the firework display scheduled at midnight.
It was very misty. I was.
wondering if we
would be able to
see the fireworks display
At Times Square where the Astro All Stars Party Music
Countdown Show was held, the target was more towards the younger crowd. Although the crowd here was not as big as the AoS, it was more heated and noisier.
Performing on the open stage were local artistes like Kay (郭小微), Juztin (刘界辉), Danny Boy and the top two winners of Astro Star Quest 2011, Geraldine Gan (颜慧萍) and Tha Kien Ying (赵洁莹).
Also present were The Battle Ground finalists Chique de Luxe and Fix to entertain the crowd with songs and dances.
I did not stay long here as I didn’t want to miss the firework display. My room, which faces the Genting Outdoor Theme Park, offers a spectacular view and one of the “best seats” for the night.
At the Merdeka Square of the Genting Outdoor Theme Park, the programmes lined up for the night included concerts and stage activities such as clown and singing performances, cheer leading and stage games. The last big bang would be the fireworks.
At the count of 12 midnight, I could hear whistles, cheers and people screaming “Happy New Year” from my room but alas, there were no fireworks due to the heavy mist.
The emcee on stage announced the fireworks would be postponed to 12.30 am. Hopefully by then, the misty clouds would have been blown over by then.
Covered by thick mists, I could not see the outdoor theme park at all. At 12.30am, I heard the emcee announcing the fireworks would be postponed to New Year’s Day at 8pm.
Many of us felt disappointed as we had not planned to stay back for another day in Genting Highlands.
The visibility of the outdoor theme park returned at about 1.30 am. I could see the vehicles jammed up as many of the visitors were making their descent.
This hill resort is always fully booked during festive periods despite it has about 10,000 rooms’ capacity.
Enjoy my selections from the performance at the Arena of Stars
If you are thinking about spending your Chinese New Year here, better plan early and book your rooms.
To all my blog followers, here’s wishing you a “Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true”.
I relished the idea of ushering in 2012 up in Genting Highlands as the theme of Resorts World Genting is the “Coolest Countdown Celebration”.
I balked when I learnt that it would be held in three separate venues starting at 10pm simultaneously. It was a tough choice trying to choose which one to go first.
After my dinner at the Coffee Terrace, which not only had a wide buffet spread prepared by the different open kitchens but also all-time Christmas and New Year favourites,
I ploughed through the crowds to arrive at the Arena of Stars (AoS) for the Classic Golden Melody New Year Countdown Show.
As the entry tickets are issued free, the 6,000-seat capacity hall was almost full when I went in past 10pm. It had a mixed crowd of the young and the old. Among the performers for the night were the top three winners of Astro Classic Golden Melody for 2011, How Kim Foong, Law Siew Yin, Wong Kwee Chin and 2010’s top two winners, Tam Sien Yeong and Wong Choong Weng.
Being an OCBC (Orang Cina bukan Cina), I enjoyed the ever popular Teresa Teng numbers sung by the artistes as I recognised their tunes but not so much the lyrics.Curious to find out what was happening over at Times Square at the First World Plaza, I made my exit at around 11.15 pm.
As the Genting Outdoor Theme Park is sited next to Arena of Stars exit gates, I could see lots of people already gathered in there to secure for the best spots to watch the firework display scheduled at midnight.
It was very misty. I was.
wondering if we
would be able to
see the fireworks display
At Times Square where the Astro All Stars Party Music
Countdown Show was held, the target was more towards the younger crowd. Although the crowd here was not as big as the AoS, it was more heated and noisier.Performing on the open stage were local artistes like Kay (郭小微), Juztin (刘界辉), Danny Boy and the top two winners of Astro Star Quest 2011, Geraldine Gan (颜慧萍) and Tha Kien Ying (赵洁莹).
Also present were The Battle Ground finalists Chique de Luxe and Fix to entertain the crowd with songs and dances.
I did not stay long here as I didn’t want to miss the firework display. My room, which faces the Genting Outdoor Theme Park, offers a spectacular view and one of the “best seats” for the night.At the Merdeka Square of the Genting Outdoor Theme Park, the programmes lined up for the night included concerts and stage activities such as clown and singing performances, cheer leading and stage games. The last big bang would be the fireworks.
At the count of 12 midnight, I could hear whistles, cheers and people screaming “Happy New Year” from my room but alas, there were no fireworks due to the heavy mist.
The emcee on stage announced the fireworks would be postponed to 12.30 am. Hopefully by then, the misty clouds would have been blown over by then.
Covered by thick mists, I could not see the outdoor theme park at all. At 12.30am, I heard the emcee announcing the fireworks would be postponed to New Year’s Day at 8pm.
Many of us felt disappointed as we had not planned to stay back for another day in Genting Highlands.
The visibility of the outdoor theme park returned at about 1.30 am. I could see the vehicles jammed up as many of the visitors were making their descent.
This hill resort is always fully booked during festive periods despite it has about 10,000 rooms’ capacity.
Enjoy my selections from the performance at the Arena of Stars
If you are thinking about spending your Chinese New Year here, better plan early and book your rooms.
To all my blog followers, here’s wishing you a “Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true”.
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