Music Memory Trail Jazz Guitarist Vivian Nonis @ 87

Vivian with new Gibson. He looks like *John Lee Hooker. (image from: XINMSN).

We have a number of guitar maestros but not many Singaporeans are aware except for those who are either in the music industry or following the melody trail.  With some help from Wilfred Lim, St Andrew's classmate and guitar enthusiast, I met one who is a veteran jazz guitarist and who played big time with 1960s bands. 

Have guitar will travel and whether it was in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Indonesia or far away Japan this gentleman is still strumming his way into the hearts of many music lovers for 40 years and more.

Vivian Nonis was a clarinetist but started playing the guitar when be-bop was top. He is so good at his craft that his versatility spans many genres.  Rock and roll or rhythm and blues, Latin or mood music Uncle Vivian plays them all.


At the Singapore Art Museum performance in 2007 (image by Guitar77).

His favourite is jazz and this 87 year young connoisseur has performed with western bands, chinese bands, malay kugirans, big ensembles, combos and ker tais.  Vivian is still at it today and devotes most of his time with a new curvaceously sexy life partner, a semi-solid Gibson given to him by Gibson Singapore for his contribution to our music scene.

He shares his music with others, practising and jamming with anyone who's interested to learn the art.  He is a guitar tutor and in one of his rare appearances Vivian performed with his students at the Singapore Art Musuem in August 2007.  In 2012 at the annual President's Star Charity Show on TV he was the accompanying guitarist playing Nat King Cole's L.O.V.E. and The Beatles, Can't Buy Me Love.

According to TheGuitarista1102 interview on You Tube, Vivian has lived for 10 years in a home for seniors on our island since his family migrated. It was his decision to stay because he loves the country and his many music friends.


Vivian Nonis' Music Corner where he tutors students (image You Tube by The Guitarista1102)

He lives alone, manages well and spends  time composing songs whenever he is free.  When asked about his sunglasses he mentioned that he wears them because of a problem with his left eye but adds that he still sees well with the other.

During his younger days Vivian had played with famed Malay film star P. Ramlee and other prominent musicians.  He was leader of a band that played at the 7th Storey Hotel and gladly mentioned that about one quarter of Singapore's musicians were his students.  That is something!

I was lucky enough to have met Vivian some years ago when I visited him at the Home.  Quiet, unassuming and very cheerful he taught me the embellishment of a few pop songs when we sat together at his favourite garden spot in the Home.



Full house during tribute to Nonis (image by markomas n Guitar77)

"I dream to be a top guitarist in Singapore," says Vivian. I think he is. Listen to him on You Tube (top right bar).  MediaCorps calls him "one of our oldest legendary jazz guitarist."  Here's to a Singapore idol.  Many more years of guitar playing Vivian! 

NB: If you were one of his students or if you are friend or family please write in as Wilfred and I will be meeting him soon and providing him a copy of this write-up and comments. Thanks.

*"John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1917 – June 21, 2001) was a highly influential American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.  William Hooker rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally a unique brand of country blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark (Wikipedia)."

Images: Google, You Tube (XINMSN, The Guitarista1102, Guitar77 and markomas).