Venezuelan Jazz Trumpeter Michael Simon Launches Malaysia-Venezuela Collaboration, ‘Destiny’s Will’!

WHEN we brought up the 10th Venezuelan Week that’s being held in Kuala Lumpur from 19 – 31 October, we mentioned music.

In this year’s edition of the festival, music is taken to new heights with Venezuelan jazz trumpeter Michael Simon‘s third and first ever live recording album in Malaysia!

Michael Simon is no stranger in the music industry, having collaborated with well-known international jazz and latin musicians like Lester Bowie, Larry Harlow and Paquito D’Rivera. He’s even a member of a band that has been around for 20 years called the . 

Destiny’s Will is Michael’s third album but marks his first ever Venezuelan-Malaysian collaboration that will introduce Malaysia’s jazz lovers to his rendition of latin jazz. It was made possible thanks to his collaboration with No Black Tie Records, a label which assisted Michael with the live recording of his album.

The record was released during the 10th Venezuelan Week press conference held at No Black Tie last week, and might we say that we were entertained by Michael Simon’s fusion of latin and jazz.

According to information from No Black Tie Records, many musicians have commented on the album’s title track, claiming that it’s a very catchy song you can’t help but fall in love with — after having a listen, we must agree that it’s  definitely an earworm.

The album doesn’t only include his own compositions, but also boasts reinterpretations of classical Malay music.

Since setting foot on Malaysian soil back in 2009, Michael’s heart was instantaneously gripped by the essence and authenticity of classic Malaysian music, so much so that he decided to do a jazzed-up rendition of Getaran Jiwa by the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee.

The lineup of musicians from his album includes a name that is synonymous with Malaysian Jazz music, Michael Veerapen. Also featured are Daniel Foong on bass, John Thomas on drums and Patrick Terback on the saxophone. There is also a special guest singer that has lent her voice into the album — Jasmine Chen, one of Shanghai’s most captivating performers.

Even BFM’s Lim Soon Heng has given Michael two thumbs up for the album!

Michael Simon will be performing at the opening ceremony of the Venezuelan Week on the 19th October at the Craft Complex, Jalan Conlay. Best part is admission is free! While you wait for that to happen, check out his rendition of Getaran Jiwa.

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For more information on Michael Simon and his music, check out his website.