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In memory of a favourite musician
Oct 16, 2004, The Star (Metro)

by K. Anuradha

KUALA LUMPUR: THE venue was a friendly neighbourhood pub in Sri Hartamas. The atmosphere, convivial.

It was tribute night, as only friends and fellow musicians could do for the late musician Jairus Anthony.

Mourning the loss of a loved one, a kindred spirit, a friend, is hardly a celebratory affair of pomp and ceremony.

But then again Jairus wouldn’t have wanted that. So friends and fans got together for a tribute.

That tribute is now taking place at Backyard Pub. Headliners and relative unknowns have got together for the Jairus Music Festival.

Kicking off the evening’s entertainment was guitarist Az A Samad.

This young man perhaps embodied the solemnity of the occasion with his thoughtful tunes. Hardly sad, but a very much poignant start to the evening.

Az charmed the crowd with his folksy tunes, setting the mood for the night.

Songstress/guitarist Shelley Leong came next. The woman behind Storyteller, comfortably seated on a stool, crooned some personal songs.

Music is relaxed and easy, the words thought-provoking, enough to warrant closer listening.

Leong’s Big Machine is a standout song that encapsulates her feelings about life in the big city, a reflection that many of us would probably share.

The relatively laidback session was somewhat jarred by the entry of Soft Touch.

Hassan and Markiza Brown head this band that got the crowd moving with song after upbeat song.

However, the best was still reserved for the later part of the night. Jazzman Greg Lyons and Band took to the stage and the atmosphere changed.

One number was enough to get the audience attention, and the legendary Lewis Pragasam was at hand to provide some magic in the way of drums.

Sax, trumpet and drums made for a potent brew, a brew that kept necks craning above heads to catch a glimpse of music magic onstage.

Saxophonist Greg Lyons was at his customary best, and his eight-piece band did not disappoint either.

Amir Yusoff, as promised, showed up to add a classy finish to a memorable night as musicians and music lovers paid tribute to the Jairus Anthony who died on July 12 this year due to cancer.

More musicians would be performing in the music fest in the coming weeks at the Backyard Pub, including Gerard Singh & Sherman Tan, Pete Teo, Jericho, Bala and Emcee 50 Band, among others.

BACKYARD PUB & GRILL, No.28, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Taman Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.Tel: 03-6201-0318 / 012-201-6333 (Jerry).

Schedule:
Oct 6: Paul Ponnudorai, Rafique Rashid, The Corn Cake Kings (Julian Mokhtar & Aznan Aziz)
Oct 13: Greg Lyons Band featuring Lewis Pragasam, Soft Touch (including Hassan & Markiza), Az Samad Said & Shelley Leong.
Oct 20: Viji & Fasy, Vishnu, Triple 6 Poser, Cletus & Jaya.
Oct 27: Bala, 360dhr, Wednesday, Jericho.
Nov 3: Pete Teo, Gerard Singh & Sherman Tan, High Wired, Victor & Mark.
Nov 10: Albert, Vijay & Bada, Azmyl Yunor, Sara Lo, Amizan & Leonard.
Nov 17: Jam session featuring Minus 1 and various invited artistes.
Link: In memory of a favourite musician, The Star, Oct 16, 2004.

© Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd

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