Simplicius Cheong Quintet

Composer and pianist Simplicius Cheong became a professional jazz pianist at 18, playing in various jazz venues in Singapore. A producer of music programmes on radio and television in Singapore and at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Cheong has composed a range of works such as his Symphony No 1, three flute sonatas and various chamber works.

In 1965, his first Australian jazz quintet The Baroque Jazz Ensemble recorded a long-playing album for EMI (Parlophone PMCO 7531), which was released worldwide. His movement for six Instruments was premiered live over Minnesota public radio in 1982 by the Australian Chamber Ensemble and his recent composition Jazz Movement for Flute & Piano was given its world premiere in London at the Purcell Room.

As an educator, Cheong has conducted courses in jazz, composition and aesthetics in various tertiary institutions, including the University of New South Wales. Now in his 80s, Cheong divides his time between music and a daily swim in the ocean near his home in Sydney.

Apart from being a percussionist of all kinds of music from jazz and classical to Latin and contemporary, Tama Goh is also a producer for major concerts, Singapore television, music festivals and special events. In his career, he has performed with Jeremy Monteiro, Sandy Lam, Francis Yip, FIR, Laura Fygi, Ronald Keating, Chris Brubeck, James Moody, Ernie Watts, Carmen Bradford, Eric Manriental, Eldee Young, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the Singapore Festival Orchestra. In addition to his role as music advisor to Mus’Art Wind Orchestra and Mus’Art Percussion Ensemble, Goh also mentors young artists and aspiring teachers in music performance and visual arts.

Leo is a freelance trombonist based in Singapore. He has performed and recorded with multiple notable Singaporean and global artists through a wide range of musical genres such as jazz, Latin, pop, and classical performances, as well as musicals in the region. He started his musical training at the age of nine, studying classical trombone, and began actively pursuing jazz while in New York City. Concurrent to his university studies under the tutelage of Glenn Franke, an eminent trombonist and band leader who toured with Michael Jackson, The Spinners, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, and Buddy Rich.

EJ Hughes is a professional saxophonist and woodwind instructor with over 35 years of experience in performing and teaching. Trained in a variety of musical styles, Hughes has deep roots and interests in jazz and improvisation. He was awarded a tuition scholarship to Valdosta State University, where he studies from 1989 to 1993, earning a degree in saxophone and clarinet performance with a primary focus on classical music and repertoire. In 2003, Hughes earned a master’s degree in jazz pedagogy from Georgia State University after living in New York City and Orlando, where he studied privately with many notable artists, gaining insights into jazz saxophone sound, technique, and harmony while teaching, and performing.

Hughes began professional-level gigs at the age of 18. Now, 52 years old, he has performed in a variety of gigs spanning four decades. Notable performances include playing with The Temptations at 19 years old, the Sam Rivers RivBea Orchestra in his late 20s, Grammy-winner Speech of Arrested Development in his 30s, and Jennifer Holiday (Dream Girls) in his 40s. He has also performed with numerous professional bands while residing in New York, Orlando, Atlanta and Singapore.

Eugene Chew is a versatile musician unbound by musical labels. Proficient in both the electric bass and double bass, he has taken on roles as performer, composer, arranger, musical director, producer and educator with various acts, ensembles and companies both in Singapore and overseas since his career began in 2014. He received his formal musical education as a scholar in Double Bass Performance at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Guennadi Mouzyka. His performance credits include Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, Re:sound Collective, Singapore Armed Forces Band, Music & Drama Company, Flame of The Forest, Open Score Project, SHAK and many others. In his personal artistic endeavours, he leads his band, Litmus Jazz Ensemble, and is also a full-time member of the Lorong Boys.