BIG BAND BASH 2003

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Jazz Band comprises mainly undergraduates. As such, it had not been easy for them to participate in this event as they had just finished their exams in early May.

The band is led by Rick Smith, the guitarist cum vocalist of Harry's house band Chromazone.

The band also has some good musicians such as pianist, Wee Siang.

A law student, Wee Siang has made great progress as a jazz pianist since the day he joined the band. To-date, he had also played part-time in places such as the Raffles Hotel's Billiard and Bar.

The band plays once a fortnight at Harry's Bar (Boat Quay) on a Monday. Throughout the set, they played a variety of swing and standards like "Some Like It Blues".

This band is also another unofficial band of the Jitterbugs Swingapore. Like Thomson, whenever the band has a public gig, be it at the Harry's Bar (Boat Quay), in campus or elsewhere, you can be assured that the members of Jitterbugs Swingapore will be there to support the band.

Not only that, the two groups have also worked very closely together in some big projects. During the last Singapore International Jazz Festival in May 2001, the Jitterbugs also danced with the NUS Jazz Band. In February 2002, the author also made arrangements for the members of Jitterbugs to join the band on stage at the NUS Jazz Affair 2002.

The NUS Jazz Band also has a close relationship with the Thomson Jazz Club. Many of the NUS Jazz Band members are members of the Club. Besides, their band members such as drummer Lin Chow and pianist Wee Siang play for both bands. Thus it is not surprising that the Thomson Secretary and vocalist John Wong also appeared at the NUS Jazz Affair 2002.

This segment also featured Rick's surprise for the audience - the newly formed NUS Jazz Choir. Since its inception, it had appeared in various gigs such as the recent NUS Campus Concert.

The group sings popular classics such as "I've Got A Crush On You", "A Nightingale Sang" and "All of Me".

And if you guys from the NUS now think that the male vocalist is so lucky to be surrounded by so many sweet and lovely gals, then don't just sit down there and do nothing. Rush down now to the NUS Centre for the Arts and have an audition.

Not only does the NUS Jazz Band share musicians with Thomson, it also shares a common member with the Jitterbugs Swingapore - the lead vocalist Jo Dong. Prior to joining the NUS Jazz Choir, Jo was already an advanced Lindy Hop student of the Jitterbugs Swingapore.

This event clearly shows how closely knitted the jazz community in Singapore is. You will often see the same people in various groups and almost everyone in one group knows everyone in the other group. In fact, this event would be impossible if not for such close relationships.

Having said so much, the time has finally come for the unofficial de facto band of the Jitterbugs Swingapore - the Thomson Swing Band.

© Copyright May 2003 Anthony Chia Chwee Kiong