Page 86 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

78 PERFORMING ARTS
has helped to popularise classical music, with the emphasis on baroque and romantic repertoires.
Contemporary & Avant Garde: Malaysia produces many award-winning composers, including Chong Kee Yong, Tazul Izan Tajuddin, Yii Kah Hoe, Saidah Rastam, Adeline Wong and others, whose work is usually premiered and performed abroad.
World: Pioneered in the early 90s by Zainal Abidin, World is now a Malaysian staple. Artists include Aseana Percussion Unit, Asika, At Adau, Darmas, Sayu Ateng and Tuku Kame.
Traditional: Malaysians of Malay, Chinese and Indian heritage all have their own traditional music forms, with many cross-cultural influences. Traditional Chinese orchestras often perform Malay folk songs, while traditional Malay music has distinct Arabic,
Much-loved veteran crooner Datuk Irwan Shah, better known as DJ Dave, performing his evergreen hits at an outdoor show in Dataran Merdeka in 2018. He is also an active arts patron and philanthropist, heavily involved with the welfare of musicians and performers.
blues-rockers The Blues Gang and Penang vintage pop-rockers The Alleycats. Alternative & Indie: Malaysian indie music
was pioneered by bands such as OAG, Nice Stupid Playground and Carburettor Dung. More recent artists include Zee Avi, Yuna, Pop Shuvit, Bunkface, Hujan and Kyoto Protocol.
Reggae (including Ska
& Dancehall): Popular among Malaysians of all ages, with plenty of reggae bars and clubs, concerts and festivals. Check social media for events and performances.
Rap, Hip Hop and R&B: Pioneered in the 1990s by KRU, 4U2C, NICO, Krazz Kosh, Poetic Ammo and rap collective Naughtius Maximus, before spreading out to embrace R&B
and influence the entire
Malaysian popular music
scene. Emerging star Alena Murang and veteran sape maker, player and composer Matthew Ngau Jau in a scene from the telemovie Iman Untuk Bulan (2019).
Sarawak’s finest sape exponents, they promise a bright future for this hauntingly beautiful traditional instrument.
Aini and DJ Dave remain the most popular Malay language balladeers.
Jazz & Blues: Prominent members of the vibrant
jazz & blues scene include Lewis Pragasam’s Asiabeat, Michael & Daniel Veerappen, Roger Wang, Julian Chan, Julian Mokhtar and jazz- funkers Ryöt Jones.
Classical: The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (founded 1994, see page 91)
Malay Standards: P. Ramlee, Sudirman Arshad, Sharifah