-The Pianist-
Jerome Quah who is an active performer and music instructor, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in music from University Science Of Malaysia (USM) in 1999. He also holds Performers Diploma (LTCL) from Trinity College of London.
Jerome started playing Jazz in 1997 whilst studying in USM. He was introduced to the area of piano Jazz improvisation by Razif Mohd@Jeep and later under the tutelage of Wilson Quah, his improvisation skills was refined.
Jerome was actively involved in USM Jazz Band as a pianist since its formation in 1997 and he was the band instructor for USM Jazz Band 2001-2005. He was also actively involved in all USM Jazz Band's major concerts as pianist and also as the assistant conductor.
Jerome is currently very actively performing with Q Jazz Collective in functions and also at Spice & Rice every Friday night. He has also took part in Penang Island Jazz Festival from 2005 to 2006 with ARECA Jazz Ensemble and also Q Jazz Collective.
-The Double Bassist-
Adrian Jones is the double bassist for the Q Jazz collective & currently performs with them on a regular basis at the Spice & Rice restaurant every Friday night. He started playing the double bass for PESSOC & was first introduced to Jazz by Jerome Quah in 2002 & has been firmly hooked on it ever since.
He has also taken part in the Penang Jazz Festival since its inception & has had the honour of playing for various groups such as the Areca Jazz Ensemble & Quadrobasso.
-The Guitarist-
Daniel has a deep passion for Jazz. Though rooted from a classical background, he gave all that up for this art when he was given the first row ticket to the very first International Jazz Festival in his country.
He felt that there was something alluring about Jazz, that's when he decided to pursue more and he never looked back since then.
From humble beginnings, he is still learning and striving to make his own sound and groove. His dedication to the Jazz rewarded him well during international stints with the various Jazz Band in Japan and Thailand, Youth Orchestras, Concert Bands and the ARECA Jazz Ensemble back in his hometown Penang. Daniel plays the guitar in the Northern Jazz Ensemble.
-The Drummer-
Alexius Henry Noden aka Alex is from Kuching, Sarawak.
His tools of the music world are Pearl Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, and Vic Firth Sticksand brushes.The people who have influenced him are Peter Erskine, Horacio El Negro Hernandez, Steve Gadd, as well as Vinnie Coluita.
His preferred Genre of music covers Jazz, Latin, Funk, and Rock. Apart from being in the Northern Jazz Ensemble, Alex is also currently an active drummer for Q Jazz Collective and Paku.
Brass Section
-The Trumpeter-
Lynn Ng Ling Cheng began playing the trumpet in 1991 when she joined her primary school band which at the time only consisted of trumpets and percussion.
She then joined the military band when she attended high school and continued to play the instrument which she was most familiar with i.e. the trumpet.
The first time Ling Cheng found out about Jazz was when she entered Universiti Sains of Malaysia (USM) where she joined the USM Jazz Band. Initially, she was not used to Jazz but after she began understanding Jazz, she eventually fell in love with Jazz.
The first time Ling Cheng found out about Jazz was when she entered Universiti Sains of Malaysia (USM) where she joined the USM Jazz Band. Initially, she was not used to Jazz but after she began understanding Jazz, she eventually fell in love with Jazz.
Ling Cheng has since then graduated with a Bachelor of Accounting and is currently working in a Bank but also continues to play the trumpet with other Jazz musicians like Q Jazz Collective and Jeep's Latino Jazz Band (JLJB).
Rob Nollan is a native of the U.S.A. and teaches English and Bible classes at Dalat International School in Penang. Rob has played trumpet since 1974, but has not improved significantly since then. Nevertheless, he has fun making awful noises on his borrowed Schilke B2 trumpet. He also teaches a fingerstyle guitar class at Dalat to up-and-coming Jazz enthusiasts in middle school.
Rob Nollan is a native of the U.S.A. and teaches English and Bible classes at Dalat International School in Penang. Rob has played trumpet since 1974, but has not improved significantly since then. Nevertheless, he has fun making awful noises on his borrowed Schilke B2 trumpet. He also teaches a fingerstyle guitar class at Dalat to up-and-coming Jazz enthusiasts in middle school.
-The Trombonist-
Lee Chee Gang graduated from Deakin University with a Degree in Electric Commerce. He has been playing the trombone for many years since he joined the Penang Chung Ling High School Band.
He has participated with the University Science Malaysia (USM) Jazz Band in 1998 and 1999 for the International Phillips Jazz Festival. He has also been apart of the Penang Symphonic Orchestra (PSO) for more than 10 years now and has since participated with PSO to perform in Japan in 1996 and had a Tour Performance in China in 2004.
His favourite genre of music ranges from Classical, Pop, Jazz and etc. Other than that, he also plays the piano.
He has participated with the University Science Malaysia (USM) Jazz Band in 1998 and 1999 for the International Phillips Jazz Festival. He has also been apart of the Penang Symphonic Orchestra (PSO) for more than 10 years now and has since participated with PSO to perform in Japan in 1996 and had a Tour Performance in China in 2004.
His favourite genre of music ranges from Classical, Pop, Jazz and etc. Other than that, he also plays the piano.
Woodwind Section
-The Alto Saxophonist-
Takamasa started music with the classical piano. He decided to venture into Jazz after listening to many Jazz legends like Cannonball, John Coltrane and so on. To get into the field of Jazz, he studied the saxophone playing style of Kenny G and he started formal lessons at the age of 15 last May under the tutelage of Sin Foong.
Currently he is studying Jazz with the help of the other NJE members. He wants to perform as much as possible for the experience and to develop his playing skills. In school, he recently formed a school band with friends to perform in addition to his involvement with the NJE. He considers himself a learning musician.
He has performed at the following venues to date: Happy Saturday, Little Penang Market, Mini Jazz Festival at New World Park, the EA Bistro and looks forward to jamming at as many places as possible.
Anis started playing the saxophone in 1996 at the age of 13, as a member of Penang Free School Band and stayed with the band for the full 5 years, enjoying every second of it.
He was officially exposed to jazz in 2004, when joining the USM Jazz Band during his undergraduate studies. That was the time when he really start to 'listen' to Jazz recordings, was exposed to many Jazz greats internationally and locally, went out to see live performances by both local and international Jazz talents and started competing in competitions regionally.
He was officially exposed to jazz in 2004, when joining the USM Jazz Band during his undergraduate studies. That was the time when he really start to 'listen' to Jazz recordings, was exposed to many Jazz greats internationally and locally, went out to see live performances by both local and international Jazz talents and started competing in competitions regionally.
Joanne Scott is a classically trained pianist. Coming from a family background with a lot of music influences, she got to know about Jazz at a very young age and her interest grew with time.
She loves the saxophone but only managed to get one in 2001. From here, she learnt about the saxophone through the internet, books and friends who played the same instrument.
She joined the Penang State Symphonic Band (PESSBAND) from 2001 to 2005 where she performed both classical and Jazz pieces as well as organise numerous events. She was a guest player with the USM Jazz Band for their annual concert in 2004 and convocation ceremony in 2005. Joanne later joined the Penang Areca Jazz Ensemble in 2005 where the ensemble performed at the Penang Island Jazz Fest 2005.
Apart from playing the piano and saxophone, she is also a self taught flautist and played the cello under the guidance of Mr. Hanson Yong, Mr. Tham and Mr. Tan Wee Thean for a brief moment in time.
She loves the saxophone but only managed to get one in 2001. From here, she learnt about the saxophone through the internet, books and friends who played the same instrument.
She joined the Penang State Symphonic Band (PESSBAND) from 2001 to 2005 where she performed both classical and Jazz pieces as well as organise numerous events. She was a guest player with the USM Jazz Band for their annual concert in 2004 and convocation ceremony in 2005. Joanne later joined the Penang Areca Jazz Ensemble in 2005 where the ensemble performed at the Penang Island Jazz Fest 2005.
Apart from playing the piano and saxophone, she is also a self taught flautist and played the cello under the guidance of Mr. Hanson Yong, Mr. Tham and Mr. Tan Wee Thean for a brief moment in time.
-The Tenor Saxophonist-
Born in Penang, Jonathan started playing the saxophone at the age of 13 where he joined the St Xavier's School Marching Band. He started playing Jazz in 2003 when he first joined the Q Jazz Collective to form the core quartet.
Jonathan was also briefly involved with the USM Jazz Band as a guest saxophone player between 2003 to 2004 performing in the bands major concerts during that period.
Jonathan also appeared as a guest performer with Tonal Alchemy during their 2004 Penang Island Jazz Festival performance. The following year, he was part of the Areca Jazz Ensemble opening both nights of the festival. He returned in 2006 to assist Wilson Quah, assisting in the workshops and also to take part in the fringe performances.
Jonathan Yee is currently an active performer in the Penang Jazz music scene and he performs regularly with the Q Jazz Collective in functions and also at Spice & Rice every Friday nights.
Jonathan was also briefly involved with the USM Jazz Band as a guest saxophone player between 2003 to 2004 performing in the bands major concerts during that period.
Jonathan also appeared as a guest performer with Tonal Alchemy during their 2004 Penang Island Jazz Festival performance. The following year, he was part of the Areca Jazz Ensemble opening both nights of the festival. He returned in 2006 to assist Wilson Quah, assisting in the workshops and also to take part in the fringe performances.
Jonathan Yee is currently an active performer in the Penang Jazz music scene and he performs regularly with the Q Jazz Collective in functions and also at Spice & Rice every Friday nights.
