Traditional-Jazzy Nite..

I had a wonderful jazz nite last nite with Mr. Farid Ali also known affectionately as Mr. Gambus mesmerized everyone with the traditional Malay instrument, the 12-string Gambus.

The Instrument and the Playa...
Gambus (Arabian Oud) is a stringed instrument like a guitar with a body shaped like a pear sliced in half. It has 12 nylon strings and are plucked, much like a guitar to generate sound, with a plastic plectrum. However, unlike a guitar, the gambus has no frets.

Farid Ali is no doubt one of the finest jazz guitarist in the region. An 'old soul', at a tender age of 5, Farid was already singing Frank Sinatra's ‘Strangers in the night’ in a Singapore radio show. Whilst his peers grew up listening to Hendrix and Deep Purple, Farid was listening to the likes of Sinatra, Nat King Cole, the Carpenters, Perry Como etc.

The last few years saw Farid embark on playing the Lute or known famously “Gambus” in Malaysia. Farid is constantly doing research and developing a concept of the Jazz Gambus. In February 2004 Farid performed with Bobby McFerrin at the Singapore Esplanade, That performance had boosted his confidence with the instrument and had sparked his decision to record his very first solo CD featuring his Gambus.

Repertoire

Plucking, and sings his owned composed songs from his first album, Turning Point and his upcoming album, due to be released during The Penang Jazz Festival.

This was Farid Ali and The Mr Gambus Band 2nd concerts to the “gambus origin land”, I enjoyed and stunned with his ability, full of excitement and jazzy on strings. Bottom line, whacked and jazzy nite! I soulfully enjoyed the show…

Farid Ali and his Gambus playing Zapin Blues Remix

Farid Ali and me, after the autograph session
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These days I listen to anybody and everybody especially to World music and music of my origin.