Boo Jian Wen Jeremy
If you were to imagine the retro tiny mosaic tiles that seem to run in a homogeneous direction, which contrasts with its exploding, arbitrary spurts of hue, and its edges that have worn smooth or chipped away in a whole mishmash of texture, you’ll hold the aural promise of the Mosaic Music Festival.
The vibrancy of this diverse musical event, that will be launched by the Esplanade on the 7th of March, is especially emphasised this year by the introduction of the festival’s first Artist-in-Residence : seven-time Grammy® nominated jazz vocalist Kurt Elling. The San Francisco Chronicle has described him as “the most flamboyantly creative jazz singer to emerge in the last decade”.
In addition to mentoring vocal master classes for local artistes, he will also be conducting workshops, at an affordable cost of $15, for the public in the Mosaic Studio.
He’s not the only big name. Superstar jazz crooner Harry Connick, Jr., who’s presenting his My New Orleans tour concert, will kick start the Mosaic Music Festival. Expect impressive orchestrations from his latest album Oh, My Nola, as he brings the colour, vibes and quirks from New Orleans to the excitement of the Mosaic Music Festival. Following him will be other established bands, such as The Earth Wind & Fire and George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic.
If these bands are too unadventurous for you, check out the Heineken Music Club for a band from Japan that coined the term “death jazz”. After the band members met in a Tokyo club event and decided that deejays had been in the scene for too long, they formed SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS to put “life” and “live” back into the Tokyo club scene, according to the event’s official press release.
With such attitude from a jazz musical group that rose above Japanese pop boys from Johnny’s Jimusho, rock bands like Dir En Grey and electronica musicians like Fantastic Plastic Machine, to gain international recognition, don’t expect all to be polite and nice. Instead, embrace their pulsating live performances that are “rough around the edges, and constantly kept at boiling point”, as described by Mosaic Music Festival’s official press release,
Given such diversity, it’s very easy to forget our local acts, which may not necessarily pale in comparison with the other big names. Be blown away by the precocious brilliance of Kelvin Loh, as he serenades you with his guitar performances at a stunning age of 6.
The young prodigy learnt how to play the guitar at 5, and is the youngest soloist to be featured in Toa Payoh Guitar Club’s SHARE concert. Catch his performances with his father, and other local gigs, such as Olivia Ong and The Aurora Project, at the Living Room at the Concourse of Esplanade. Other local talents, such as Singapore Idol contestants Daphne Khoo and Jeassea Thyidor, can also be found at the Nokia Powerhouse. Don’t worry about digging deep into your pockets, as all performances at the Living Room and Nokia Powerhouse are free.
Aside from free performances, a new festival element has also been added this year. In The House FM, hosted by local songwriter-singers Jack and Rai, is the newest addition that promises to bring audiences up close with Mosaic artistes. The musician duo from EIC, one of Singapore’s most popular acoustic groups, has been involved in the Mosaic Music Festival for 3 years and tells UrbanWire that they think it is “certainly an honour to be a part of this festival again”.
Jack, 29, tells UrbanWire in an email interview, “You can definitely expect to see a more intimate side of the artistes we’re interviewing. In addition to the usual questions, like their influences, tips, tricks etc, we want to find out everything they love doing… besides music!”
When asked if audiences can expect humour from this chat room series, Jack said confidently in his email, “Most definitely! If you come to a Jack and Rai show and not laugh, giggle or smile, then I think we were really, really having a bad day!”
He adds, “Yes, yes, the usual Jack and Rai vibe will be ever present and you can expect us to put our interviewees in a tight spot!” before signing off with, a characteristic giggle.
So step out of your musical cocoon and into the promise of the Mosaic Music Festival – a diverse melange of the mellifluous voice of Harry Connick, Jr., the alternative sounds of SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS juxtaposed against the comforting familiarity of local musicians, and the funny antics of Jack and Rai.
Performers mentioned in the article:
Harry Connick, Jr.
Mar 7, 2008, Friday
8pm, Theatre. (90 mins, no intermission)
$88 (sold out), $128, $168, $208, $248
SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS and All Stars Jam
Mar 7, 2008, Friday
10pm, Heineken Music Club [Theatre Studio] (75 mins, no intermission, followed by All Stars Jam till late)
$48
The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience featuring the Al Mckay Allstar
Mar 9, 2008, Sunday
8pm, Theatre (80 mins, no intermission)
$58, $88, $118, $148
George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic
Mar 10, 2008, Monday
9pm, Theatre (180 mins, no intermission)
$58, $88, $118, $148
Kurt Elling
Mar 10, 2008, Monday
7.30pm, Concert Hall (90 mins, no intermission)
$58, $88, $118
Explorations:
Workshop by Kurt Elling
Mar 8, 2008, Saturday
3pm, Recital Studio
$15
múm
Mar 13, 2008, Thursday
7.30pm, Concert Hall (90 mins, no intermission)
$58, $78
In The House FM
Mar 8, 9, 15 2008
3pm – 6.30pm (various time slots)
Singapore Art Café, Library@Esplanade
Free
For more information, please visit http://www.mosaicmusicfestival.com/
Photo Courtesy of The Esplanade Co Ltd.
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Dinner With Saskia Laroo Band: A Personal Experience