Andy 60s Music Folks: Singaporeans n Expatriates: By Horace Wee: Part 2

L to Rt.
Gus (pianist/leader); Caesar Alano (trombone); Joachim Suares 'Joy' (double bass); Reynaldo Lachica (alto sax/clarinet); Ahmad Jaafar (tenor sax/clarinet/flute); Val Ortega (alto sax/clarinet); Olympio Galaura (trumpet); Rufino Soliano (drums, vibraphone). Photo taken at Studio A Radio Singapore.

The Expatriates

The island’s ambience at the shipping crossroads was certainly a lure for many visitors to stay. Slava Tairoff a White Russian, came via Peking China. He was the bandleader at then exclusive British Tanglin Club as well as the President of The Musicians Union in 50/60s. After many years he left for Australia. Louis Moyser a Hungarian, played in the Radio Malaya/Singapore orchestra and gave violin lessons at his flat in Eu Court. So did Dirk Kalf a violinist and Dutchman who lived at then distant Serangoon Gardens. Dan Hopkins was a drummer who also worked in the Radio Orchestra

Filipinos also came and many were prominent in music circles. The Anciano family formed The Far Eastern School of Music successfully teaching many students. There was also Fred Libio, Villanuevas, Buenaventuras, Bacsafras,  Lachicas and music powerhouse the Solianos. Others such as trumpeter Olympio Galaura’s family were apparently from a visiting circus.

Ahmad Daud and Peggy Tann.

The guitarist Ike Isaacs worked here and subsequently left for London/Europe where he worked as a studio musician. He spent his latter years playing with jazz violinist Stephan Grappelli’s band.

Dick Abel, a guitarist of Dutch descent, hailing from Indonesia led the Radio Malaya (Singapore).Orchestra after the previous leader Cor Rife. He moved to London, after which Gus Steyn a pianist and Dutchman who also came via Indonesia succeeded Dick Abel as the orchestra leader.

Famed local musician Charles Lazaroo [right], with Tony Scott, 

the American jazz clarinetist, whom the author was acquainted with.

Gus Steyn moved to Kuala Lumpur and led the Radio Malaysia Orchestra for a number of years before passing away. Ahmad Jaafar took over the leader’s baton until his retirement. Caesar Alano a Filipino and Les Weddell from Britain both held successively the trombone chair in the radio orchestra. Caesar left for Thailand and Les returned to the UK. Johari Salleh a local trumpet player eventually became the music director for Radio Television Malaysia. Trudy Connor and Eddie Gomez were a piano playing couple popular at hotel lounges.

Saloma, Kartina Dahari and Tony Castillo, trumpetist and screen actor.

Many local musicians and performers made their mark. Violinists Susheela Devi, Clara Verghese, Alphonso Anthony, Julai Tan, pianists Theresa Filmer (nee Khoo), Charles Lazaroo and trumpeter Tony Castillo were among them. Singers Saloma, Julie Sudiro, Kartina Dahari, Peggy Tan and Ahmad Daud were popular during those days.

Author: Horace Wee.

Comments are welcome and photographs too of expatriate musicians. Any reader out there who wishes to 'donate' pictures please write in... 

[Article and photographs in this series, as in other postings on this blog, are Copyrights Reserved by the author and photographers.]