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Much has been said and written about
MEI SHEUM ( Mei-Mei ) since her entry into the
music scene at a tender age. All of It good and most of it insufficient.
Nascent though her
talent was at 19, it was a foregone conclusion that in the years to come she would
develop into arguably Singapore's finest jazz musician.
By 2000, this had come to pass. With an impressive performance resume and
several jazz festivals under her belt, Mei has emerged as the pianist of choice for many of
the Island's best known vocalists including Kit Chan, Jacintha and
Tanya, as
well as foreign artistes Including David Pomeranz, Japan's Keiko Lee and Hong
Kong's Francis Yip, William So and Andy Hui. Her drive to deepen her
understanding of the jazz genre has also brought her to America where she has
studied and performed with established names there such as Wynton
Marsalis,
Ernie Watts, Eric Marlenthal, Jim McNeely, Mark Levine and Hal Galper.
Not one to be confined by categorizations and for fear of limiting herself, Mei has
also transcended the 'jazz musician' tag and taken on projects that she felt would
challenge her as a musician. These include her performances in musicals such as
Golden Apple Dinner Theatre's (from US) "I Do ! I Do", inwhich she was the
musical director, Theatreworks "The Haunted", and her foray Into
contemporary pop behind Wendi Koh and Kuo Poh.
Perhaps in an attempt to develop the next young talent or In a cyclical progression
for she herself to become a mentor, Mei has also participated in Music Elective
Programs and Clinics in schools both locally and in the US. She was listed on the
top 10 Songs Award on radio's FM 100.3 in their 1998 songwriting competition on
one of her first outings as a songwriter.
Most recently, Mel has completed recordings on various albums, Including jazz
guitarist Greg Chako's "Integration" with percussionist Steve
Thornton.She also began collaborating with arranger/bassist Brian Benson and jazz
vocalist Clarissa Monteiro. In the summer of 2000, this collaboration will be
heard on the CD "I Hear Music" slated for release on J.J. Jazz. A label owned by jazz
stalwart Jeremy Monteiro with whom she has also had the pleasure of
performing with at the KL Jazz Festival in 1996.
As the new millennium starts to unfold, the one musical constant for this
impresario is the driving urge to continue to be challenged to greater heights and
an indefatigable singularity of purpose; to create beautiful music.
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