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JAMFEST2004: Thanks for the music
Nov 23, 2004

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A message from Edmund Anthony

Dear All,

The Inaugural Jairus Anthony Music Festival 2004 concluded on 17th November 2004 after six consecutive Wednesday nights from 6th October. The event was a monumental success, attracting over 80 musicians and entertaining hundreds of people.

On behalf of the organising committee, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all for making this event a blast.

Thanks to all of you for the spectacular performances, generous sponsorships, steadfast patronage and most of all the encouragement and believing in this idea.

The event witnessed all kinds of talents from our land, both seasoned and young. It also showcased a wide range of genres of music from jazz to grunge.

As the committee took only about a month or so to prepare the event, we were very pleasantly surprised at response it secured.

Syabas Everyone!

ACHIEVEMENTS & BLUNDERS
The committee received feedback on the event and thank you for the same.

We wish to convey our profound apologies to all for any feelings hurt. These blunders were duly noted and we will endeavour in ensuring it does not happen again.

As initially planned, this was organised to encourage and promote the performing arts industry in this country.

We have managed this by listing profiles and resumes of musicians on the backyardpub.com website which is currently receiving about 1,200 unique visitors per month. The visitors are coming from as far as North America, The Middle East and the Far East.

On a personal level, I believe that the talent present in this country is indeed something to boast about.

Throughout the fest, numerous press releases sent out, not only to promote the fest, but the talent as well.

Professional photographers were arranged throughout the fest, and the photographs are uploaded at the same backyardpub.com website that can be downloaded by the musicians and the fans.

We also managed to give exposure and encouragement to the young talents that are in need of avenues to showcase their talent.

JAIRUS ANTHONY FUND
As mentioned in one of the press releases, we have managed to accumulate a fund from the event which is, tentatively, called the Jairus Anthony Music Fund.

Jerry Chong, owner of the Backyard Pub has started the fund by generously contributing RM10,000.

We also have received pledges towards this fund for over RM3,000 from the last night.

I am in the midst of legitimising this fund with the relevant authorities and setting up a committee to manage the fund.

As initially agreed, we have decided to direct this fund towards supporting the performing arts industry. The exact mode of operation will be decided in due course.

As you all have been directly involved in making this whole idea a resounding success, I am looking forward to your ideas and suggestions.

Please feel free to drop me an email at edmund70@yahoo.com.

Right now, the committee has received, among other ideas, funding poor kids for music/arts classes, which is something that we are seriously considering. I will keep all of you duly posted on new developments.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE
Sometime in 1997, I remember Jairus just ran out of luck in terms of work. Seven months with absolutely no work. Every gig had already been taken.

Money was depleting, the condo had to go and maggie mee made a regular appearance.

I am proud to say that it did not stop him from singing. He used to play at the Press Club just for the claps. Me, being a part-time musician, I realised then the difficulties of that calling in Malaysia.

Even when he was battling his cancer last year, it did not stop him from singing.

Truly he was committed to his vocation.

There are so many other musicians and artists in the performing arts industry who are doing the same. DAILY.

Jerry Felix has been playing the drums for 41 years! Paul Ponnudurai, Albert Sirimal, Vijay David, Bala, Rafique Rashid, and the list go on.

The logic is simple. They just love what they do.

To me, a commitment to any vocation deserves recognition and commendation.

It also illustrates to the young talents that the road is rough and the only way to go it is to work extremely hard and most of all love and enjoy it.

Thank you all once again and Syabas!

Best Regards,
edmund anthony

P.S. After blowing all that smoke up your arses, I better see you at JAMFEST 2005

Links: JAMfest2004 Musicians Page | Photos

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