Esplanade Presents

Music

Amanda Lee Swingtet: A Tribute to Mary Lou Williams

Amanda Lee, Raf Soundwalker and Nobu Shiraishi (Singapore)

15 Jul 2025, Tue, 7.15pm & 8.15pm

30mins

(Intermission: None)

Esplanade Concourse

Free
not cache
Synopsis

Join the Amanda Lee Swingtet for a tribute to the legendary pianist, composer, arranger, and educator, Mary Lou Williams—one of jazz’s most significant yet underrecognised figures. Williams’ extraordinary talent as a pianist spanned the early to modern idioms of jazz, and her contributions as a prolific arranger for big band leaders like Andy Kirk and Benny Goodman were groundbreaking. Beyond her technical brilliance, Williams was a mentor to jazz icons like Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk and a passionate advocate for jazz education.

 

Her impact on the genre is undeniable, and this evening honours her profound legacy. Jazz pianist and singer Amanda Lee will perform selections from the Mary Lou Williams’ songbook, including Roll ‘Em (which she composed for Goodman) and The Land of Oo Bla Dee.

 

Band:

Amanda Lee, piano and vocals

Raf Soundwalker, drums

Nobu Shiraishi, bass

Language: English
Things to Note:
Accessibility: All our venues are wheelchair-accessible. We offer various services to support patrons with access needs. For assistance, please contact Esplanade Customer Experience at 6828 8377. To learn more, read our accessibility guide.
Artist Information

Amanda Lee

Known for her unbridled joy and relentless swing, Singaporean jazz pianist Amanda Lee has been making her mark as a torchbearer of the swing and stride piano styles of 1930 and 40s classic jazz. Lee trained in Kansas City under master stride pianist Bram Wijnands (also performing at this year's Jazz in July!).

 

Amanda has performed around the world including the UK, Switzerland, Paris, Milan, US, Sweden, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan. Her band, the Amanda Lee Swingtet, is known for their fun-loving camaraderie, playful dexterity, and commitment to spreading the joy of jazz from its roots and beyond. A regular on the local jazz scene, they have played at numerous festivals including Esplanade’s Jazz In July, Singapore Night Festival and international events such as Ubud Village Jazz Festival, 1st International Jazz Festival Nha Trang and most recently, Taiwan.

 

Lee is a senior teacher and performer with Jazz Inc, a lindy hop and swing dance collective led by jazz dance specialist Sinclair Ang. She is also a passionate educator and conducts weekly group jazz piano workshops.

Nobu Shiraishi

Born in Japan, Nobu is not just a double bassist but also a pianist and compser, blending diverse musical elements from around the world. His work has been described as "avant-garde, but seamlessly blending with culture and nature." With over 25 years in his music career, he has performed at numerous clubs and jazz festivals such as the Detroit Jazz Festival and Thailand International Jazz Conference.

Raf Soundwalker

A drummer and percussionist since his youth, Raf Soundwalker has had more than 20 years of experience performing in Singapore and across Asia. His musical journey spans a diverse range of genres including pop, rock, funk, fusion, latin and jazz. Driven by a deep love for jazz and improvisation, Raf has become a dedicated student, performer and educator within the local music scene. In 2019, he represented Singapore as Grand Finalist in the Global Drum-off (Rhythm Duo).

Date & Time

15 Jul 2025, Tue

7.15pm

Esplanade Concourse

8.15pm

Esplanade Concourse
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