I was born 1959 in Singapore. I learned to listen, understand and play the techniques of Latin jazz, funk, fusion, rock, pop, reggae and R&B groove.As a young child of a music-loving family, I was inspired by the blood-stirring rhythms at Indian temples. As a teenager I started playing in a rock band called Bull Clap Havoc with fellow schoolmates such as Michael DeSouza, Nicholas DeSilva and well-known local singer/writer, director for COMPASS (Composers and Author’s Society), Mel Ferdinands who is also currently a Senior Director for SAF Film Company.Throughout the 80s I widened my repertoire by playing pop and rock music in various bands throughout Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan. In Taiwan, I worked with artistes like Fei Xiang and Kao Ling Fung. I also played with the legendary rock band from Singapore, The Blackjacks.I have also played with Iskandar Ismail (local producer and musical arranger) with a local band called Hangloose featuring Kaye Hamid on vocals.The experience gained from playing and performing with a variety of different bands in the region, exposed me to many different styles of music.As the 90’s approached I began to explore more deeply my growing passion for Latin, Jazz, Funk and R&B groove.In 1990, I performed with American bass player Paul Jackson, guitarist John Kaizan from Japan, Lewis Pragasam ‘Father of Drums’ in Malaysia and Steve Thornton for the ASIABEAT and Friends DRUMUSIQUE Concert at the Singapore Conference Hall.During this period, I also performed with Anita Sarawak’s band called Singapore Swing at all the Hard Rock Cafés in Asia.In 1995, I was invited to play with the Gypsy Kings in their concert here in Singapore at the Harbour Pavillion and played alongside Mohammad Noor, Nantha Kumar and Joe Jayaveeran. During that time I also played with Sixty-Six Jam and Déjà vu a local world music band which was fronted by local singer, Wendi Koh.I have also played with Bandoleros in 1997 at Mambo Kings with Antonio Caffiero from Chile and Manuel Campos Reina from Sevilla, Spain. I have also played with a flamenco guitar player, Jose Luis Dominguez from Spain. They are all composers and songwriters in their own right.In 1996, I spent 18 months in Europe and Asia Pacific playing with a number of bands including Cuban band, Salsa Mania.On my return to Singapore I joined Latin fusion band Ireson consisting Alina Ramirez on piano, Mario Lopez on bass, Greg Lyons on saxophone, Eddie on trumpets, Alonzo Gonzalez and Steve Thornton on percussions while giving me the opportunity to further explore my love for Latin Jazz.I have continued on to become a vital studio sessionist/drummer. My more significant associations in the studio have been with Spanish guitarist Yoni Vidal from Spain and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.I have also played and toured around South East Asia with local father of rock Ramli Sarip.I have also had the opportunity to perform for great producers like S. Atan in the Malay Radio and TV Programmes.From 1998 onwards I performed in CHIJMES for the International Latin and Jazz Festivals. I have also played with both local and foreign artists at these festivals. And have also played with well-respected regional artist Paul Ponnudorai and Ignatius Bong on bass, as a trio.Had also performed in a club called SWING (formerly a haven for musicians) which was located at Cuppage, with a trio called Charisma featuring Michael Stanton on keyboards and Marcus Dengate on bass and international and local singers like Anne Weerapass, Denise Mininfield(from USA), Alemay and Vanessa Fernandez, Beverly Morata and others to name a few.Jeremy Monteiro is also one of the artistes that I have had the pleasure to play with together with Christie Smith, William Gathright, Chris Robinson, Bobby Singh, Navin Kumar (local percussionist) and also with the band called Fuse with Fendi Sahid on vocals and Munir Alsagoff on bass.I've had the greatest opportunity to play with Adlan Cruz, a classically trained and accomplished pianist from Puerto Rico, who did a concert here alongside with Faiser Flores, a conga player from Colombia.Had also played with the likes of Denis Follington, Marcus Dengate and Sebastian Ho Wee Keat for a Musical called Two Gentlemen of Verona by Galt MacDermot, John Guare and Mel Shapiro for the LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts.I'm also a key facilitator in the renowned STIX - Motivation Through Music group, a company of musicians that turn conference audiences into orchestras to highlight the importance of team dynamics. STIX empowers participants with the ability to perform music together, just like a professional symphony orchestra, and by doing so demonstrates the true power of teamwork. Myself and the STIX team headed by pianist, Duncan McKee, we travel the region facilitating experiential teambuilding workshops and are fast becoming the most popular motivational group for events. We have worked with many of the largest multination corporations including Microsoft, Intel and Dell.I have also toured with the Jackson Twinz (AOC) from Atlanta, Georgia, in Singapore and all around Asia Pacific.I also perform with the orchestra of Boni De Souza who is a well known composer, arranger and musical director.I have also been an educator for the past five years, passing on my skills and knowledge to students at the Australian International School and the German European School in Singapore.I was recently inducted into the Zildjian’s global family of endorsed artists alongside two other Singapore ambassadors, Mark de Souza and Tama Goh.Recently, I played for “Once On This Islandâ€, a musical featuring the graduating cohort of Asia’s first BA (Hons) Musical Theatre programme of LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts directed by Shaun Murphy and Tony McGill.I played alongside Marcus Dengate, Tony McGill, Bronwyn Gibson and Feri Susanto. The music was written by Stephen Flaherty.I have released a DVD called ‘Beat The Rhythm’ which I produced myself. It is based on a percussion concert featuring local and international percussionists performing on stage with the students from the Australian International School. All of which are original compositions.This is the first ever concert produced by a local drummer/percussionist and the first ever DVD done in the Australian International School.Currently playing concerts with a band called EDNIA. Featuring Marcus Dengate on bass, Bruno Le Flanchec on keyboards and doing original materials based on fusion music.I recently played a concert at The Powerhouse, Esplanade Singapore with Grammy Award Winners, The BordererS from Scotland for the Singapore Arts Festival with Jazz pianist, Duncan McKee.Also currently playing with a trio consisting of Brandon Wong on bass and Mei Sheum on piano/keyboards at the Park Hotel (Formerly the Crowne Prince Hotel) in the RSVP Restaurant and Bar from Wednesdays to Fridays.I'm also an artiste for TAMAGOH Productions Pte. Ltd.My dvd is on sale right now, so if you want to purchase it, you can do so by sending me an e-mail or message directly.The BordererS
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