Noted S’pore musician Chok Kerong’s announces new concert

SINGAPORE — Keyboardist Chok Kerong may have established himself as a jazz musician and he’s worked with some notable international jazz musicians, including Steve Wilson, John Riley, Eli Degibri, Eugene Pao and the late Frank Wess, not to mention Singapore’s own Jeremy Monteiro and Rani Singam.

But the musician has often spread his musical wings to other genres, collaborating with the likes of the T’ang Quartet, the Singapore Wind Symphony and singer-songwriter Charlie Lim. This diversity is what Chok will feature in his new concert, Eleven By Chok Kerong, in September, as part of the line-up for the Esplanade’s Mosaic series this year. Chok’s concert brings together 10 other musicians in a show featuring his original material, which melds straight-ahead jazz, soul/R&B and pop with the textures of classical chamber music. The musicians he’s rounded up include a string quartet, a woodwind section and a special guest, Lim. This isn’t the first time Chok has tried to push his musical envelope. He used to gig around Singapore in a variety of local bands, including a 10-piece jazz ensemble and his first organ trio.

Originally looking to pursue a law degree, Chok graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2008; but thanks to a generous scholarship from the National Arts Council, he moved to New York, enrolled in the Manhattan School of Music and graduated with a master’s degree in 2010. Chok has performed at a number of noted venues in the United States, including the Blue Note in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Monteiro once said of Chok: “He’s got everything: Talent — great application of talent — he’s hardworking, has good attitude and is self-driven with the impetus to create music for music’s sake, not money. Kerong Chok has the biggest potential of them all.”

Eleven By Chok Kerong happens on Sept 11 and 12, 7.30pm at the Esplanade Recital Studio. Tickets from SISTIC and the Esplanade box office.