SPH Gift of Music presents Sounds of the City

Expect a stimulating performance by k'Ass whose music draws from a diverse mix of influences as far-ranging as Coltrane, Miles Davis, Incognito, Weather Report, old-school funk, hip-hop and acid jazz. k’Ass blends improvisational jazz with an exhilarating mix of acid, house and groove club sounds. The band has played at nearly all the major festival venues, including Chijmes jazz, Heineken Green Room Sessions and Esplanade Jazz series.

k’Ass made its debut at the Singapore International Jazz Festival in 2002, the same year it was formed by keyboardist Mei Sheum. She has worked with international artists such as Stephen Bishop and Keiko Lee. Fronting k'Ass is Jazznote recording artiste Ann Weerapass, who is the lead singer and band leader. Other band members include veteran drummer Jimmy Lee, renowned producer/arranger/bassist Joshua Wan and outstanding guitarist Regi Leo.

One of the most prolific and experienced drummers in the region, Jimmy has worked with some of the world's top-notch international stars such as Jacky Cheung, Jeff Chang and Taiwanese diva A*mei. In 2005, he also participated in the Chinese Festival of Arts with Jazz singer Elaine Liu and recently played for A*mei’s MTV live concert.

Joshua Wan is a familiar face in the local music scene for the last 16 years. The versatile musician's involvement in different genre of music from gospel, local jazz to studio and pop has made him a popular name in the music scene. He has arranged and produced albums for top Asian artistes such as Sandy Lam. Adding to his credentials, Joshua Wan has served as Music Director for many stage plays, musicals, and the National Day Parade in 2003.

Be it putting its trademark spin on acid jazz classics by Incognito and the Brand New Heavies, or reinterpreting soul covers or updating classic Miles standards with urban beats and grooves, k’Ass is one funky act not to be missed.

About SPH Gift of Music
The SPH concerts at the Botanic Gardens fall on the first Sunday of every month. In addition to these, SPH will also bring concerts to the community with performances in the heartlands, public areas and parks as part of its outreach efforts to connect with the community.

The concert series is one of many outreach events which SPH supports as part of its broadening community involvement. Each year, the media group contributes to a diverse range of education, arts and culture, community, conservation, sports and charitable projects. SPH was recently named the top corporate giver in Singapore in a survey carried out by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, and has been bestowed the Distinguished Patron of the Arts award every year since 1993.

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Co. Regn. No: 198402868E

For more information, please contact:

Audrey Perera
Senior Manager
Corporate Relations
DID: 6319 2261 or 96179005
Email: audreyp@sph.com.sg

About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Main board listed Singapore Press Holdings Limited is the leading media company in Singapore, in the print, Internet and broadcasting platforms. It publishes 13 newspapers in the four official languages and more than 80 magazine titles in Singapore and the region. Everyday, 2.8 million individuals, or 88 per cent of the people above 15 years old, read one of the SPH publications. Its Internet Business Unit manages the online editions of SPH's major newspapers and magazines, which together enjoy over 300 million page views a month. SPH also owns a 20% stake in MediaCorp TV Holdings Pte Ltd, which operates free-to-air channels 5, 8, U and TV Mobile, and a 40% stake in MediaCorp Press Pte Ltd, which publishes free newspaper Today. SPH operates two entertainment radio channels, UFM 100.3 FM in Chinese and WKRZ 91.3 FM in English, under a joint venture company UnionWorks with NTUC Media, and owns an 80% stake in SPH MediaBoxOffice Pte Ltd, Singapore’s largest LED network media company.