TAN, Julai
Performing Arts in Singapore (Music),
Accession Number 001726
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 10
Total Reels
- Ruzita Zaki
Interviewer
- 04:39:30
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 10
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:33
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His childhood. Came from a musically inclined family. Mother was a teacher at MGS and also taught music and the piano. Father used to sing, and was a teacher at Chinese High School. How he was exposed to music as a child. Described popular musicals of the 1930s. Described his alma mater, ACS, where he studied from 1932 to 1941. Memories of the Japanese Invasion. Was sleeping at his house in Sophia Road when Japanese forces dropped the first bomb. Gave account of how he escaped the death march. Mentioned his siblings, and how he started out in a band.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 10
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Described the live music scene in the past. Used to play at a restaurant in Seah Street and a cafe in Orchard Road early in his career. Started out playing live music at restaurants and cafes through the Propaganda Department. Described Japanese soldiers' mannerisms. Recounted an incident with a drunk Japanese Officer while he was playing at the restaurant. His musical background. Learnt the violin at Far Eastern Music School. Mentioned Mr. Raulio Bacsafra as his violin teacher. Opined about the role of music. Listed his favourite classical musicians, Beethoven and Chopin, and why he liked them. Discussed Kroncong music.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 10
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Discussed how his family and friends regarded his love for music. How he practiced the violin and the piano during his youth. Described the Far Eastern Music School. Explained the examination process for music at the school. Completed his 8th grade in music at the school. Elaborated on the different ethnic groups that were involved in the local music scene, such as the Indians from Goa and the Filipinas. Stated the ethnic make up of his band, and the relationship amongst the band members. Talked of his first engagement playing with a live band at a lounge in Serangoon Road.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 10
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*How he landed his first assignment playing live music at Central Bar, in Serangoon Road. Discussed about his other vocation of playing music for the orchestra organized by the Propaganda Department. Described the entertainment scene during the Japanese occupation, and recollected how no western movies were screened during the occupation. Talked of concerts having been the main source of entertainment then. Discussed about Japanese music. Described his experiences playing at the Japanese restaurant. Digressed back to his first stint at Central Bar, his working hours there, and recollections of the Japanese soldiers who used to patronize the lounge.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 10
Metadata
- 19 Jan 1996
Recording Date
- 00:27:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Described his daily life during the Japanese occupation. Recollected that it was compulsory then for all musicians to register with the Propaganda Department. Talked of the kind of music played at concerts and over the radio during that period. His opinions of Japanese music. His daily routine, how he got to work and his leisure activities. Described the general living conditions during the occupation. Opined that he had been better off during the Japanese occupation because of his job as a musician. His income during that period. Talked of his job after the Allied Forces took over from the Japanese.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 10
Metadata
- 19 Jan 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Worked at a Chinese cafe in Great World after the Japanese Occupation. Got an offer to work in KL in 1946. Described his travel to KL, and the conditions inside the train. Made a name for himself in KL through playing violin for Radio Malaya on a weekly basis. Played Light Classical music. Mentioned popular music by Ritz Crysler, a composer and violinist. Talked of his contract-based employment with Radio Malaya. Recounted playing at various functions, including NAAFI events. Recounted a memorable event playing at a YMCA function, where Sir Henry Gurney was the guest-of-honour. Discussed his early musical compositions.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 10
Metadata
- 2 Feb 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:52
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Recounted some of his musical stints in KL. Remembered working at big clubs there, such as the Selangor Club. Explained about the NAAFI organization. Discussed the positive attitude shown by the British towards local musicians during the 1950s. Recollected earning 300-400 dollars then. Elaborated on his life in KL. Came back to Singapore in 1956. Reasons for his return. His memories of playing at a YMCA concert, where British High Commissioner Sir Henry Gurney shook hands with him and exchanged a few words. Recollections of Sir Henry Gurney and the Emergency period. Joined the Radio Malaya Orchestra upon his return.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 10
Metadata
- 2 Feb 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:53
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Described work at the orchestra. Orchestra had European full time musicians. Talked of the salary discrepancies between the Europeans and the locals within the Orchestra. Also played short stints at hotels like Raffles Hotel. Went to London in 1960. How he started out working at BBC. Played the violin and accordion for an octet in a weekly programme. Felt his musical style had undergone a change due to the BBC experience. Had minor role playing the violin in a British movie, "Coup Mikado". Talked about the Beatles in the 1960s. Mentioned Stephane Grapelli as one of his favourite musicians then.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 10
Metadata
- 2 Feb 1996
Recording Date
- 00:29:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His apprehensions before leaving for London. Left London for Barcelona in 1964, with his Spanish wife. His recollections of Spain. Played at Radio Barcelona as guest musician, where he featured Kroncong music to Spanish audience. Came back to Singapore in 1965 with his wife. Joined the Radio Singapore Orchestra. Played international music with a quartet in a regular half-hour recital. The 1960s Orchestra consisted more of local musicians. His work schedule at Radio Singapore. Invited to judge at a few Talentime contests, when the programmes were still in black-and-white. Left Radio Singapore in the 1970s, and reasons for leaving.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 10
Metadata
- 2 Feb 1996
Recording Date
- 00:14:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His work after leaving Radio Singapore. Revealed his income at Radio Singapore during the 1970s. Described the kind of music he played at hotels and restaurants during the 1970s. How he came to play at State affairs and functions. Recounted playing at Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's birthday celebrations at Mandarin Hotel. Opined about Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's taste of music. Gave his philosophies on life and some guiding lights as a final note.
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