Nathan Hartono to open for Laura Fygi concerts in S’pore and Malaysia

SINGAPORE — One of the reasons singer Nathan Hartono wanted to take a sabbatical from school (he’s studying at the prestigious Berklee College Of Music in Boston) was to get back into the scene for a while and put into practice what he’d learnt so far. “I’ve not really set a date (to go back), but I just wanted to come back here and look at what’s going on,” he said. “The music scene is very exciting right now, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Well, the singer hasn’t been cooling his heels. Apart from acting in an HBO Asia series Halfworlds, the singer recently took part in the Sing, Love concert to launch the SG50 album of the same name (he had recorded a song Love Sings with Jeremy Monteiro, Rani Singam and THELIONCITYBOY). And now, he’s going to be opening for one of the veterans of the jazz-pop scene, Dutch jazz diva Laura Fygi, who is celebrating her 25th anniversary with a concert tour. Hartono will be performing at the Sept 9 show in Singapore and in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 12.

Despite the age difference — Hartono wasn’t even born when Fygi started her singing career — the 24-year-old is looking forward to performing in front of an audience that isn’t what he may be used to.

“I know her audience is very different from mine, but I think that there are no age restrictions when it comes to music,” he said.

“I really like her voice and the songs she sings. I’m prepared to watch a great show (from her). And I’m excited to perform, of course!” he added, saying that his set would probably perform an acoustic stripped-down set featuring some original music as well as familiar favourites.

Hartono said that he hopes to use this opportunity to build on his experience. “I’ve learnt so much in school about music (and I hope) to use what I’ve learnt here when — not if — I go back to school. I’m very fortunate that what I like to do and what I’m studying is the same thing.”

In the meantime, before the concert, fans of Hartono can look forward to hearing some music from him and fellow singer-songwriter Daphne Khoo, which he said will be released “very soon”.

Laura Fygi performs Sept 9, 8pm at the Star Theatre. Tickets from SISTIC.