Simon

Born in Singapore, Simon is an expressive pianist and composer who draws his inspirations from a diverse range of musical traditions, including Pop, Jazz, Rock, Blues, R&B, Brazillian, and Afro-Cuban. His artistic development began early in his childhood at the age of 5, when he first took music lessons on the Electone. As a child, Simon performed frequently and at 15, he represented Singapore at the Asia Electone Festival 2007, which was held at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Thailand, and clinched the 3rd Prize Award (Junior Section). It was through this experience that Simon resolved to pursue music as a lifelong passion.

Beginning in 2009, Simon studied Music and Audio Technology (DMAT) at Singapore Polytechnic where he became adept at music production and synthesis techniques. He was a receipient of the Singapore Polytechnic Scholarship (2009) and graduated with a Diploma with Merit in 2012. During his studies at Singapore Polytechnic, Simon began taking piano lessons with Zheng Yuxing, who instilled in him a profound interest and appreciation for the music of Jazz. Simon was particularly inspired, initially, by the music of Oscar Peterson.

In 2014, Simon auditioned into the Bright Young Things Jazz mentorship programme organized by the Mosaic Music Festival in Singapore, and was subsequently featured in the festival held at the Esplanade with The Last Train Home. Two months after, Simon performed as piano accompanist with the TAS Children’s Pop Choir at the Istana before President Tony Tan and Malaysia's Yang di-Pertuan Agong (head of state) Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and their wives.

In the same year, Simon was awarded a scholarship to study at Berklee College Of Music, where he pursued a major in Professional Music, and studied under the instruction of many accomplished pianists, including Ray Santisi, Yoko Miwa, John Arcaro, Neil Olmstead, Dave Limina, and Joanne Brackeen. In his first semester at Berklee, Simon was approached by Spanish singer-songwriter, Guillermo Alvarez, to join Guille & The B. Band, a latin-jazz quintet lead by Guille himself. Through his involvement with the band, Simon became well-acquainted with Brazillian and Afro-Cuban piano styles, and he recorded two albums with the band: Berklee f’14 and Guille & The B. Band. In January 2016, the band began performing daily as a regular band aboard the luxurious MSC Divina cruise ship, expanding its expertise to a wide range of musical genres, such as Rock & Roll, Blues, Pop, Jazz, Latin, etc.

During the summer break of 2015, Simon performed as keyboardist with Flame of the Forest, a World and Fusion music instrumental trio based in Singapore. He recorded with the band’s debut EP, Flame of the Forest, and performed at the band’s EP debut launch held at Orchard Road’s Pedestrain’s Night.

Simon is presently residing in Singapore as an active music performer and teacher.