SOLIANO, Rufino
Performing Arts in Singapore (Music),
Accession Number 003704
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 6
Total Reels
- Teo Kian Giap
Interviewer
- 05:18:34
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 6
Metadata
- 1 Jul 2012
Recording Date
- 00:57:41
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee was born in 1932, Singapore. Father was a Medan (Indonesia) born Filipino and mother was an Eurasian. Father came from a family of musicians where members played music for silent movies in theatres. Interviewee talked about “Spanish” way of music learning. Interviewee was born in a rented house in Allenby Road (Jalan Besar). The family also moved to Short Street, Tiong Bahru, and subsequently Madras Street Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) flat. Interviewee learnt violin at around the age of eight from his father, his uncle Gerry and later, Goh Soon Tioe. He studied in St Anthony’s Boy School in Victoria Street. Talked about life during Japanese Occupation. His father performed in a Chinese restaurant and had to play Japanese tunes. Interviewee played in Bangsawan performances in New World Park at age 13 (during Japanese Occupation). Later, he also performed in a Chinese restaurant in Great World Park. Interviewee attended school at that time and music teacher Paul Abisheganaden knew he could play the violin. He joined the orchestra later. He also played soccer. Elaboration on Japanese Occupation. He talked about music playing.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 6
Metadata
- 29 Sep 2012
Recording Date
- 00:58:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee clarified that he played in Bangsawan performances and in a Chinese restaurant for a year. Planks he played when young. He did not complete his school education as he was overage. Interviewee formed his own group, Marvel Boys, comprising his brother and the children of other musicians. Interviewee learnt violin under Goh Soon Tioe. The band of teenagers, led by him, played in Shackle Club (NCO Club : Non-Commissioned Officers Club in Beach Road) on a few occasions and also in Lido Club at Pasir Panjang. He talked about being the guest band once for Great World Cabaret, where the band had to wait in-between every song for patrons to exchange coupons to dance with the hostesses. After the war, interviewee’s father continued to play in Happy World Cabaret and in Radio Malaya. Interviewee started the Marvel Boys at age 15 and it ended a few years later. He had his first full time musician job in Singapore Swimming Club. For the job, interviewee had to learn to play the drum on his own in order to get the job. The band members were all Europeans and he was the only Asian. The band was led by Heinz Alexander. Interviewee later joined his uncle as a drummer in Raffles Hotel. Dancing competitions were held there. Interviewee also did session recordings in studios located in MacDonald House. He got to know Dr Wee Kim Wee while working in Raffles Hotel. Later interviewee joined his cousin Jose in Cathay Restaurant for about five years. He talked about the work there. Interviewee mentioned why and how he ended up working in Radio Malaya.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 6
Metadata
- 29 Sep 2012
Recording Date
- 00:58:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Part I – 29/09/2012
Interviewee talked about a funny incident where he drove his car into a coconut tree trunk. While in Raffles Hotel, interviewee introduced the bamboo dance, Tiniking, into Singapore. He performed with a partner (Corrine Siddons) on City Hall steps as part of the City Day. Interviewee auditioned for job in Radio Malaya. He talked about a typical work day.
Part 2 – 20/10/2012
Radio Malaya became Radio and Television Singapore (RTS). In 1967, interviewee started his very first Latin Combo as Latin music was becoming popular. He did a program “Latin Six” featuring five other Filipino-Singaporean musicians mainly from the music clubs. The duration of the program increased from 15 minutes to 30 minutes due to popular demand, and ran for a few years. Interviewee was involved in music exchange with the Malaysia counterpart. When interviewee became SBC (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation) Orchestra Leader, he expanded the size of the orchestra by including a string section, where a majority of them were recruited from Shanghai. He talked about the role of Deputy Orchestra Leader. He talked about the working attitude of music directors, in particular Ahmad Jaffar.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 6
Metadata
- 20 Oct 2012
Recording Date
- 00:58:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee talked about the importance of musicians to know how to transpose music, in the event of singers singing the wrong key. Mentioned that Ahmad Jaffar had high expectations from the singers. Interviewee talked about the functions of Musicians Union, which he was a member. Through the union, he had the opportunity to work as a percussionist with singers such as Shirley Bassey and Sammy Davis Jr. Tony Scott also recorded a SBC (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation)radio program. On 12 and 13 May 1970, interviewee was the replacement timpani player for the Singapore National Orchestra performance conducted by Norman Del Mar. Interviewee was promoted to Orchestra Leader in 1978 but he still played the vibraphone when required. In 1971, interviewee and Valentine Ortega won the Asean Theme Music competition. They got the inspiration of their 16-bar of music from the five alphabets of ASEAN and the different rhythms of Asean music. Interviewee also introduced the fusion of ethnic drumming in SBC. He was requested by Charlie Lazaroo to compose and arrange a piece for 100 drums for the Youth Festival. He also composed the NTUC March Song for NTUC.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 6
Metadata
- 22 Oct 2012
Recording Date
- 00:54:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee was one of the supporting band members for the first two editions of English Talentime. Interviewee talked about the band members: Charlie Lazaroo (piano and Leader), Winston Filmer (bass), John Lee (guitar) and Horace. The band was well-known and played an instrumental piece at the end of every show. Interviewee composed the theme song for the ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) Popular Song Contest called “Let’s Celebrate” (1985). He also conducted the Singaporean singers in these contests. Interviewee retired in 1993. He extended his service as he had to lead the SBC (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation)Orchestra to Kuching. He talked about the SBC Orchestra sound. After his retirement, his cousin Louis Soliano asked him to play in Tanglin Club. He stopped after one year due to health reasons. He was awarded the National Day Efficiency Medal conferred by the late President Wee Kim Wee. Interviewee occasionally did freelance music arrangement. He talked about his health. He continued to play the percussion and gave advice to young musicians.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 6
Metadata
- 24 Oct 2012
Recording Date
- 00:31:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee’s daughter encouraged him to record an album. His seven instrumental and five vocal compositions were named after his grandchildren. He taught non-professional musicians to play Latin music for his recording, which took 8 to 10 months to complete. The musicians and his grandson Jordan played at his 80th birthday celebration. None of interviewee’s children were in show business. Interviewee conducted a piece on Suria channel TV variety program (Bandstand Elektra: 55 years of music from our generation). He was hospitalized a few days before the event. Interviewee elaborated more on how he composed songs for his grandchildren. On a personal front, interviewee enjoyed fishing. He used to drive his children to Punggol and Changi Village. He said that life as musicians in the early years were challenging. Had initials of his name tattooed on his arm by his father during the Japanese Occupation. His uncle Alfonso Soliano was in the Radio television Malaysia (RTM) Orchestra. His second brother was a jazz pianist and his cousins formed a group called The Solianos in Kuala Lumpur. He gave his concluding remarks, including how he met his wife,Shirley.
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