The Music Heritage of Penang
(
By James Rozells
& Kathleen Rodrigues )
Whether we are
actively pursuing a career in music or are simply music lovers,
it is unimaginable to live a life without music. Penang has
always boasted a long list of music greats from the late Tan Sri
P Ramlee, Jimmy Boyle, Joe Rozells and Larry Rodrigues to the new breed of stars like the Alley
Cats.
- maybe it’s the
genes of the Penangite - it’s a known fact that if you are a good musician you
would have most probably come from Penang
- maybe it’s the
surrounding sea air that we breathe - islanders have always been
known to be musically endowed
- maybe it’s the
peace and tranquility of the island that gives inspiration to our
composers and musicians to write and play beautiful music
- maybe it’s the
Nasi Kandar that enhances our vocal cords - check with David & Loga of the Alley Cats or Kathleen Rodrigues and Colleen Read on their diet. Unfortunately Zainal Alam is not around to give his views on the “wonders” of
Nasi Kandar
Whatever it may be, Penang has
always had a reputation of producing many of the finest musicians,
singers and composers in the country.
With all due respect to the
other musicians of Penang, this paper focuses and highlights the
Penang
Eurasian musicians, singers and composers - their roles, their
achievements and their contribution to
the music industry.
With this, nobody springs to mind
first but one person - Jimmy Boyle, the late Jimmy Boyle.
James W Boyle AMN 1922 - 1971
Jimmy Boyle was born in Penang
and educated at the St. Xaviers Instituton where he returned as a
teacher after graduating from the Raffles College in Singapore. He
was a well-known Malaysian Jazz musician who developed his own
style. He was accepted as a Malaysian Composer and Arranger for
the “Classical Saxophone Quartet” of N.W. University USA and
“Kansas City University Brass Ensemble”.
His compositions and
piano playing have been beamed throughout the world by the BBC and
Voice Of America and commented favorably by top jazz critics like
Jerry Muchigan. International jazz musicians like Charles Lloyd
and Jack Teagarden (who played his songs) rated him highly. For 25
of his 49 years Jimmy composed, arranged, played and recorded his
music for National and State functions, for radio and television,
for schools and associations and night-clubs. He was also a judge
of Malaysian Tune Writing and Radio Singing Contests since 1958.
He composed the first Malaysian Jamboree song “Kemegahan Negara
Ku” which was played at midnight on the birth of Malaysia in 1963.
His proudest moment came on 31 August 1957 when Merdeka was
proclaimed at Kuala Lumpur. The “Negara Ku” was not ready yet and
when the first Malaysian flag was raised it was to one of Jimmy’s
tunes. (Taken from New Straits Times
- 11 May 71) . Among
his notable compositions were: “Putera Puteri”, “Ingat
Ingat”, “Jauh Jauh”, “Rayuan Mesra”, or “Melody Of Love”, “Api Dan
Air”, “Bunga Negara”, “Megah Rasa”, “Chendering”, “Tepi Pantai”,
“Berdendang Ria”, “Sang Bayu”, “Ke-Hulu Ke-Hilir”, “Pantun Melayu”,
“Gemaran Bulan”, “Bertugas”, and “Sungai Pahang”. Jimmy Boyle
had always been proud of being a Malaysian and through his music
he had hoped to perpetuate the soul and spirit of his country and
it’s people. A national song on the Rukunegara is one of several
unpublished works left behind by Jimmy. A State anthem for Penang
and scores of beautiful Malaysian melodies were among other
legacies that his family had discovered in Jimmy’s treasure chest.
One week before his fatal heart attack he had submitted his
Rukunegara piece (his last composition) to Radio Malaysia in the
hope that singing it would help bring together the various races
in the country. The late Jimmy Boyle whose work and devotion to
music commanded high respect from many, among those Tan Sri
Ghazali Shafie who at that time was Minister with Special
Functions and Minister Of Information. Quote:-
“This country has certainly lost one of her talented sons in
music, culture and sports and one who was dedicated to the programme of nation building. His contribution to the world of
music in this country is phenomenal and now that Jimmy is no more
with us I hope that young people in this country would be inspired
by his work and devotion to nation building through music.”
(Taken from
The Straits Echo - 13 May 1971)
Jimmy Boyle by far is the
foremost jazz pianist and composer this country has produced. A man
whose vision and music abilities were years ahead of his time
should today be a source of inspiration for all our musicians.
Unfortunately not many people are aware that this great man had
written so much good music and yes, many have not even heard of
him or his music. We, Kathleen Rodrigues, John Lim, Lee Chong Heen,
Colleen Read and James Rozells and a host of other musicians at
the ROZELLS Country & Western and Oldies Pub hope to promote Jimmy
Boyle’s music to the public so that his beautiful music will live
on forever. The late Jimmy Boyle and his music had a tremendous
influence and impact on many of his fellow musicians in Penang.
Playing alongside this great musician always brought a sense of
pride and honour to any musician. Any musician you talk to who had
the opportunity to play or sing with Jimmy Boyle would always talk
in awe of the man’s music and ability. The memory of this man and
his music moves so many in so many different ways and it inspires
many to go out of their way to preserve the legend of Jimmy Boyle
and his music.
Larry Rodrigues 1920
-1985 “Lead Guitarist for Jimmy Boyle”
Better known by many as Uncle
Larry, he was by far one of the leading jazz guitarists in the
country. Started playing with Jimmy Boyle in the 40’s at the
Runnymede, Sandycroft and the Penang Club for more than 20 years.
After the death of Jimmy Boyle, Larry led the band with Steve
(Rozells) Ooi on piano, and continued performing at the Penang
Club until he had a stroke while performing at the club in 1981.
All through the years, Larry Rodrigues thrilled audiences in pubs,
hotels and clubs with his style of playing and till today many
guitarists still remember and marvel at the guitar playing style
of Larry Rodrigues. Larry always had an eager following of budding
guitarists and one of Larry’s many promising proteges was the very
well known and talented lead guitarist, the late Teddy Beh. Uncle
Larry also made numerous recordings with Radio Malaysia where he
played many of Jimmy Boyle’s compositions. Larry’s proudest
musical moment was when the great American jazz guitarist Charlie
Byrd performed in Penang in the 70’s and invited Larry to jam with
him.
Rudy Baum - "Penang's Father Of Country
Music”
Started singing and yodelling at
age 14 after the war. Rudy sang for Redifussion and did several
recordings for Radio Malaysia after winning a few singing
talentimes. Rudy and his band “The Country Lads” comprising
younger brother George Baum, Ralph & Bonnie Jeremiah were the top
and most sought after Country & Western group at that time. Today,
57 years later, strains of Frankie Laine’s “Mule Train” can still
be heard from Rudy, now age 71, who still sings and yodels at
private functions and parties. Lest we forget the tradition of the
Baum family and their yodelling prowess, we are inspired by the
fact that daughter Michelle, who is similarly inclined, will
continue to maintain the family skills at yodelling.
Joe Rozells
-
"King
Of The Hawaiian Guitar"
Joe Rozells and his Hawaiian Palm
Beach Boys were the top Hawaiian band from the 50’s to the late
60’s. Patrons of The Green Parrot, Springtide, Chusan Nightclub
and Shanghai Restaurant would fondly remember Joe Rozells and his
Hawaiian music. They were the most sought after Hawaiian band then
for dances, parties, and shows. Among the song birds that sang
with Joe when he started was his lovely wife Stephanie and 17 year
old daughter Priscilla. Over the years Joe Rozells did numerous
Hawaiian recordings for Radio Malaysia in Penang and also T.V.
shows for T.V. Malaysia in K.L. Joe Rozells was always the
inspiration for many budding Hawaiian guitarists, for example
Edwin Rajamoney, who picked up the instrument and carried on
playing Hawaiian music in Penang for another two decades after his
passing in 1970. Apart from leading the most popular Hawaiian band
in those days, Joe Rozells is fondly remembered by many musicians
today as the “father” who provided them a platform to launch their
individual music careers.
Musicians Who Started Or Played With
Joe Rozells & His Band :-
Drums : Spencer Rangel George D’Almeida William Scully Douglas DeSouza
Guitar :
Peter Rozells Leander Jeremiah Patrick Daniel Jimmy (Rozells)
Ooi
Vocals : Colleen Read Kathleen Rodrigues Ruby Rozells Stanley D’Almeida
Ukulele
: George Baum Noel (Bull)
Remedios
Bass : Ralph Jeremiah Horace
Olivero Leslie Scully
Piano : Bertie Limuco
Stanley D’Almeida
Guitarist / Singer
- Stanley was probably
the finest singer of Hawaiian songs who performed at the renowned
“City Lights” and “Green Parrot”. Not only a fine singer he
also had a reputation as being one of the finest guitarists in the
country
Spencer Rangel
Drummer / Guitarist - Started playing drums for Joe
Rozells from 1955 to 1960. Joined Edwin Rajamoney & Island
Rhythmics from 1960 to 1970. Performed at the Casuarina Beach
Hotel in 1975, at the Ship in 1985 and from then on with
D’Serenades with Edmond Prior and William Scully at the Park Royal
Hotel till today. A music career spanning 47 years
Max Fletcher
Bass / Ukulele
- Started playing for Jimmy Boyle in late
40’s. Not only did he play the bass in the band, Max was also a
skilful ukulele, clarinet and saxophone player
James Symons
Drums
- James was the
original drummer for Jimmy Boyle in the late 40’s
Andy Costello
Singer -
Andy who now resides in the USA sang in Jimmy Boyle’s band in the
late 40’s
William Scully
Saxophone / Drums / Bass - Started playing drums at age 17 in
Joe Rozells band. Played drums and saxophone with Edwin Rajamoney
& Island Rhythmics from 1965. Played saxophone with In-Jazz
Quartet and The Jazzocrats at a few top hotels for many years.
William now in his late fifties plays double bass for D’Serenades at the
Penang Park Royal Hotel.
Douglas DeSouza
Drums - A very competent drummer Dougie played drums for Joe
Rozells and also for Malaysian trumpeter Syed Agil. Performed a
few years in Bangkok before returning to Malaysia where he still
now performs in K.L.
John (Scully) Lim -
Arguably the most versatile, gifted and talented musician
in Penang. John, a
self taught musician excels in any musical instrument he chooses
to play. John is known by far as one of the most accomplished jazz
guitarist in the country. John also plays country & western pedal
steel guitar which was also self taught. He now performs on the
keyboards where he does gigs and private functions.
Leo Aeria
- Saxophone
- Popular saxophone player who performed at “City Lights”
The "Songbirds Of Penang"
Colleen Read
Started singing at age 15 at the Green Parrot with Leo Aeria in
1959. Joined Joe Rozells in 1960 at the Springtide. Moved on to
K.L.Embassy Hotel with Victor Felix & Stanley D’Almeida and did a
few recordings with Radio Malaya. Colleen’s career then took her
to Singapore where she did T.V shows and recordings with the
luminary Gus Steyn. Came back in Penang in 1963 to the Chusan
Nightclub and in 1964 performed at the Penang Sports Club with the
Blue Notes comprising Colin and Harold Capel. Moved on to
Kuala Lumpur again for another 3 years where she sang at the
Selangor Club, B.B. Park and Lake Club. From 1970 till
1979 the name Colleen Read was synonymous with the Captain's Bar at
the Mandarin Hotel. Colleen also did jazz stints with Chong Heen
and The In-Jazz Quartet at the Mutiara Beach Hotel, Holiday Inn
and the Golden Sands Hotel for a few years. Colleen Read, Penang’s
singing grandmother with a music career spanning 43 years also performed
with Chong Heen at the ROZELLS Country &
Western Pub from 2000 till 2005 and still has a loyal following of music
lovers.
Kathleen Rodrigues
Lovingly known as Penang’s Child
Singer, Kathleen Rodrigues, daughter of famed Penang jazz
guitarist Larry Rodrigues started singing at age 7. Ukulele
cuddled in her tiny arms, imagine this child sweetheart singing,
“I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles”. Kathleen, the “Child Singer” was
always in great demand as a guest artiste for talentimes and shows
and was an attraction whenever and wherever she performed -
somewhat of a Shirley Temple of Malaysia. The young and talented
Kathleen Rodrigues was also the lead guitarist of the first all
girl band - “The Ladybirds”. In 1963 at age 16 she won the title
“Linda Scott Of Penang” where she had for company the likes of Rubiah Lubis who won the title “Connie Francis Of Penang”.
Kathleen started singing professionally at age 18 in 1965 with Joe
Rozells & His Hawaiian Palm Beach Boys and since have performed
with many other top musicians in just about all of the top hotels
in Penang. Kathleen, always sought after for recordings at Radio
Malaysia did 13 recordings with the late great Jimmy Boyle that
was aired nationwide continuously for 13 weeks. After 37 years of
singing professionally at the highest level, Kathleen still holds
her own as being one of the top singers in the country. Presently
a partner in ROZELLS Country & Western And Oldies Pub, Kathleen Rodrigues still draws packed audiences.
Ruby Rozells
Started singing professionally at
age 18 in Bangkok. Called “The Songbird Of Bangkok” Ruby spent
most of her 12-year singing career in most of the top nightspots
in Bangkok Thailand. Rated one of the top jazz lady singers in
Thailand and Malaysia, Ruby came back to Penang a few years ago
and have been singing jazz in the Mutiara Beach Hotel and
Casuarina Beach Hotel. Ruby presently performs with Wilson Quah
at 32 The Mansion in Penang.
Christina D’ Almeida
Christina, daughter of Stanley
D’Almeida started singing in 1982. She has since been singing in
many of the top hotels in Penang and K.L. She is presently singing
jazz, standards and oldies with D'Serenades at the Golden Sands
Beach Resort in Penang.
Joyce Emuang
Joyce Emuang, blessed with a
natural country voice been singing in most of the top hotels in
Penang and Kuala Lumpur and East Malaysia. She mainly does shows
and functions now.
Mary Carlos
Mary Carlos, mother of 7
children, winner of 1st Mrs Malaysia/World Beauty Pageant 1987 and
represented Malaysia at the Mrs World Beauty Pageant in Hawaii,
she now sings and performs in the various clubs and hotels in
Penang.
The "Part-Timers"
The part-time musicians of Penang
also played an important role in the music scene in Penang. Most
of them were employed in the government service and schools and
they made use of their spare time and talent playing for dances,
company dinners, weddings, anniversaries and private functions.
Among those musicians that spring to mind are : -
Scullys
- comprising Alphonse, Francis, Oswald,
William
Jeremiahs
-
comprising Bonnie, Leander, Homer, Ralph
Priors
- comprising Edmond, Douglas, Arthur
Boudvilles -
comprising Donald, Malcolm, Gilbert, Vincent
Penang in the 60’s had an
abundance of music talent and many of our top musicians were lured
overseas by better and more lucrative job opportunities. Among the
many that went to Thailand and other countries were a host of talented Eurasian
musicians from Penang.
Bonnie Jeremiah
Bonnie started playing bass in
1958 at age 12 with a band called “The Pinheads” comprising Ralph
Reutens, Homer Jeremiah and George Baum. Learned his trade and by
the time 1969 came, performed in Bangkok for 3 years before
returning to Penang in 1972. In 1974 it was off to Kuala Lumpur where he
spent 16 years with various bands performing in most of the top
hotels. In 1991 it was back to Penang where he joined country band
the Color Phases and performed in the hotels for many years. A
renowned bass guitarist of immense talent and an accomplished
country singer, Bonnie Jeremiah is very highly respected in the
Malaysian music circle.
Frankie Rozells
Frankie Rozells, the eldest son of Joe Rozells
is surely one of the most proficient guitarists from Penang.
Started playing in Penang in the 60’s with the well-known band,
“The Equinox” he later moved to Thailand where he spent more than
20 years playing in top clubs and hotels in Pattaya and Bangkok.
Returned to Malaysia in the 90’s where he performed in various top
hotels and solo stints in the pubs and clubs in Penang. Frankie is
now back in Thailand where he still performs in many of the top
clubs in Bangkok.
George Baum
Dubbed the “Kenny Rogers” of
Malaysia, George will always capture an audience with his fine
brand of country & western music. Good country vocals and clean
country guitar is George’s forte. He spent about 8 years in
Thailand from 1969 playing with a host of other Malaysian
musicians like Tony Perkins, Harold and Colin Capel, Ooi Eow Jin
and Saloma, all from Penang. Came back to Malaysia in 1977 where
he performed in K.L. for a while before returning to Penang where
he performed with the Color Phases at the Rasa Sayang and Golden
Sands Resort. George presently solo, sings country & western at
the Liverpool Bar in Penang.
Colin & Harold Capel
Spent many years in Thailand playing
music with famed Malaysian musicians in some of the top hotels in
Bangkok. After over 40 years of plying their trade, Colin and
Harold are today still
performing in top nightspots in Kuala Lumpur.
Virgil Reutens
Penang born Virgil Reutens has
put Penang on the country & western world map by winning the
Country & Western Gum Leaf Championship 6 years running.
The "Music Of Today"
Edmond Prior
Started his singing career in
1977 in the Crazy Horse Saloon and the Welsh Dragon Pub. Recorded
an album under WEA in 1984 after winning a local talent
competition. Started performing in various top hotels in Penang in
1985 till today where he sings at the Penang Park Royal with
William Scully and Spencer Rangel. Edmond is widely known as the
Johnny Mathis of Penang.
Casey (D’Almeida) Subramaniam
Top recording artiste Casey,
with already 2 hit albums that topped the charts in Malaysia is
the son of Christina D’Almeida and grandson of famed guitarist
Stanley D’Almeida. He played bass for many top Malaysian bands
including “Asia Beat”, and is now presently with “The Big Band”
performing in Kuching.
ROZELLS Country & Western And Oldies Pub
Situated in Batu Ferringhi,
“ROZELLS” is probably the only pub in the country that specializes
only in country & western music and the old songs. Idyllically set
by the sea it brings back fond memories of places like Springtide
and the Green Parrot. It is owned and managed by two enterprising
Eurasians, Kathleen Rodrigues and James Rozells who incidentally
also sing and perform there. It is the place to go for good music,
excellent Eurasian home-cooked food, where the ambience and
atmosphere is almost perfect and the patrons just about
the most fun loving and friendly people around. The music, the
songs and even the old music photographs that are displayed there bring
back fond memories and a sense of nostalgia to the Penangite. Many patrons
and customers have dubbed “ROZELLS” the pub and it’s owners as “The Living
Music Heritage Of Penang”.
Clair Rozells
Probably the most promising
Eurasian hope for the future. Clair, daughter of James Rozells
started her singing career in 1999 at the Flying Club, Sheraton
Hotel Penang with Ronny of the famed Sweet September Band.
Experienced a short stint with a 7-piece show band in East
Malaysia before returning to K.L. where she sang with Richard Hoon
for functions. Back in Penang now Clair sings with Freddie Chin at
the Flying Club. Being the most talented and sought after budding
singer in Penang now, Clair Rozells carries the hope and future of
the rich Eurasian music heritage of Penang.
In concluding this paper, may I
suggest to the members of the community represented by the Penang
Eurasian Association to make a commitment to revive the dwindling
numbers of Eurasian musicians and singers in Penang through the
establishment of music schools and programmes which will encourage
young musicians to take on music as a professional career.
To the young Eurasians, for
example Christopher (Rodrigues) Estrop, Darrin James Rozells, and
especially the descendants of the great musicians that we have
mentioned in our paper who are embarking on their music careers
now, we urge you to take advantage of your natural talent acquired
from your family heritage, and partake in your personal musical
growth and development, not only in current music trends but also
in the good old oldies.
In addition, we would like to
appeal to the State Government, relevant Government authorities,
and the Penang Heritage Trust to encourage the music profession so
that it will become a viable and profitable professional career
for generations to come. One step in this direction would be
to promote the employment of local Penang musicians in our rich
Penang entertainment outlets rather than employ foreigners who
would naturally not reflect the music heritage of Penang
"The Penang Story" - February 2002
"The Music Heritage Of Penang" by James
Rozells & Kathleen Rodrigues -
February 2002
( click
to view young Penang musicians )
|
