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My Music Journey
I was born in Singapore, the second in a family of four boys. My father is a retired firefighter and mum was a teacher. Uncle told me I loved to sing even before I could talk. That's how much I love to sing till this day. Father bought me my first guitar when I was about three - a toy requinto none the less. :D
I seriously picked up playing the guitar at the age of eleven under the influence of my elder brother.
Being a leftie, I had problems playing the “normal” guitar. My brother was so frustrated teaching me, he gave up. I forced myself to learn to play right handedly with the help of a friend. The first tune I managed was “Hotel California”.
In 1990, our band took part in the Big O competition and managed to clinch a place in the final with our own composition” Do It My Way”
During my Basic Military Training in the National Service, while everyone was training hard, I was strumming my guitar away. I have to thank my Chief Officer for that as he had assigned me to perform for the Army’s Officers’ Golf dinner.
Being a leftie, I had problems playing the “normal” guitar. My brother was so frustrated teaching me, he gave up. I forced myself to learn to play right handedly with the help of a friend. The first tune I managed was “Hotel California”.
In 1990, our band took part in the Big O competition and managed to clinch a place in the final with our own composition” Do It My Way”
During my Basic Military Training in the National Service, while everyone was training hard, I was strumming my guitar away. I have to thank my Chief Officer for that as he had assigned me to perform for the Army’s Officers’ Golf dinner.
In 1996, under a friend’s, (Rosita) recommendation, I joined Jerry Murad's band. Those two years of experiences with Jerry as band leader & Gilbert (my inspitation) as rhythm guitar ignited my interest in nylon string guitars & latin music. I am greatful.
1998, I enrolled myself in Yamaha Music School & took up my first proper
classical guitar lessons from Maestro Ernest Kwok. Soon, I fell in love with flamenco music, so much so that I practised into the wee hours, every single day, watching video tape after tape (yes, those were the days :))just to master the flamenco style strumming.
In 2001, I roped in my brother Sahlan and a friend, Roslan, calling ourselves "d'Easton Ritmo", to participate in the Singapore Guitar Festival. We were the champion in the “Guitar & Vocal” category and won third in the “Ensemble” category.
classical guitar lessons from Maestro Ernest Kwok. Soon, I fell in love with flamenco music, so much so that I practised into the wee hours, every single day, watching video tape after tape (yes, those were the days :))just to master the flamenco style strumming.
In 2001, I roped in my brother Sahlan and a friend, Roslan, calling ourselves "d'Easton Ritmo", to participate in the Singapore Guitar Festival. We were the champion in the “Guitar & Vocal” category and won third in the “Ensemble” category.
That same year, I was fortunate to also clinched the first place in the radio station’s Gold 90 FM competition, performing Dean Martin’s “Sway” and “Volare”. Performing to a crowd of 5,000 really gave me the ‘high’ :)
That same year, I was fortunate to also clinched the first place in the radio station’s Gold 90 FM competition, performing Dean Martin’s “Sway” and “Volare”. Performing to a crowd of 5,000 really gave me the ‘high’ :)
Those wins boosted my confidence & I began to push ourselves more to get gigs.
As time goes by, with more gigs coming our way, I enjoyed myself more & more entertaining.
Seeing all the happy faces as I entertain gives me satisfaction beyond words. I want to and do my best to cater to different music preference of the young, the little ones & the young at heart.
Before I know it, I’m performing in not only English & Latin but also in several other languages and in various genres at weddings, birthdays, company functions, community events, any event that calls for a celebration.
I am indeed blessed to be able to do something that I am passionate about and hope that I will be able to continue do what I am doing for a long long time - to bring joy and laughter to all who are kind enough to lend me their ears :)
Last but not least, I am thankful for my brother Sahlan (guitarist) & friends like Ah Pek (percussionist), Diki (guitarist/percussionist), JSham (guitarist), Khairi (percussionist), Rahman (percussionist), Ridwan (guitarist), to have regularly partnered me through the years.
Thank you to all. :)
I am indeed blessed to be able to do something that I am passionate about and hope that I will be able to continue do what I am doing for a long long time - to bring joy and laughter to all who are kind enough to lend me their ears :)
Last but not least, I am thankful for my brother Sahlan (guitarist) & friends like Ah Pek (percussionist), Diki (guitarist/percussionist), JSham (guitarist), Khairi (percussionist), Rahman (percussionist), Ridwan (guitarist), to have regularly partnered me through the years.
Thank you to all. :)