Saturday, April 29, 2023

Andrew Oh: RIP: A Tribute By Horace Wee

Andrew Oh

Why is it only after you’ve gone, everyone wants to know more. Searching to all reaches of the internet and lamenting for a loss that perhaps we should have appreciated and recognised more when someone was still alive.

I lost another old friend today. Andrew Oh, an extraordinary saxophone and flute player passed away from a heart attack in Sydney this morning the 28th of April 2023 whilst going for a cup of coffee. He was also dubbed the “Kenny G” of Australia. We last met for lunch at New Town, Sydney when I was attending my son’s graduation and have kept in touch.

An affable person, who went to St. Patrick’s school in Singapore and was in the school band. During those heady days in the late 60s he played for a number of bands like, The Establishment and in my memory a stint at the Rasa Sayang room in the Tropicana at Scott’s Road. He later left our shores and worked with Anders Nelsson’s band in Hong Kong before making Australia his home.

He once told me that I was his inspiration to become a good musician when he used to watch me play when he was just starting out and opened his mind to modern sounds when he heard my early efforts at amplifying my saxophone, flute and adding effects. His continuous search for new ideas and confidence left him at times frustrated and he confided to me on some occasions. Why did some established musicians keep playing the same old material?

Performing once in Japan, he was very flustered when his band’s vocalist refused to perform because Alicia Keyes was sitting at the corner of the club. He couldn’t understand the lack of confidence.

As he was annoyed, when he had a gig for a few nights at the now defunct Jazz at South Bridge - Singapore. He had sent his material in advance for the local backing musicians. When he arrived he found they had not bothered to prepare for his sets.

Despite his huge reputation in Australia, between performances and recording sessions, he supplemented his income giving lessons. As we all know, a musician’s career does not guarantee a luxurious life and Andrew was a professional in the best of traditions.

Most local “authorities and experts” wouldn’t realise the talent that has been lost and left the country. Of course talent can’t be recognised if you only know what’s within your little box! Disillusioned by the lack of support and opportunities.  Andrew was one of those talents.

We will miss you Andrew. Rest In Peace.
The angels are going to love your music.

PS: He joins another illustrious pianist and music arranger Michael Tseng originally from Singapore, who passed away in Sydney earlier this January. Michael was a founder member of Australia’s pioneer rock ‘n roll band fronted by the late singer Johnny O’Keefe. He’s in Australia’s Rock Hall of Fame.
Divine Music Pty Ltd. 
237 Miller Street North Sydney. 
NSW 2060 Australia.


Written by Horace Wee 
Images from Horace Wee
The article has been copyrighted.

Andrew Oh: "Heaven" 
YouTube Video by: Andrew Oh
[I have included this lovely instrumental with
Andrew somewhere up there... RIP. Andy.]

5 comments:

Cedric Collars said...

A lovely tribute Horace. It's indeed sad when someone who gets inspired by you leaves so suddenly leaving only a memory of the good times. Be glad mate that you have left a marker to the up and coming youth to follow. A tribute well written with all the emotions

JIMMY APPUDURAI (GUITARIST EXTRAORDINAIRE) said...

My condolences watched him with the Establishment xx

CHIT CHAT said...

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THANKS TO THE ABOVE READERS WHO LIKE THE POST & SENT THEIR CONDOLENCES.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

As it's my usual practice I've included a song by ANDREW OH from his SILK CD, called HEAVEN.
It's appropriate, I hope, with a promising introduction and soothing, silky, soft style.

Anonymous said...

PS Michael Tseng arranged, played and produced the early recordings of the Crescendos. Recording was at Talentime Studios at Shaw House. Recording engineer Lawrence Fernandez.