NUS Jazz Band

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As the only tertiary student jazz organization that houses its own big band, vocal ensemble, and multiple combo bands, the NUS Jazz Band delivers a rich brew of captivating jazz music – from swing to soul, fusion to funk, and bossa to blues.

The NUS Jazz Band was formed in 1994 by a group of dynamic musicians and jazz enthusiasts. Exploring both traditional jazz standards as well as fresh and progressive compositions, the band displays its versatility through performances in a variety of settings, including corporate engagements, NUS events, and its series of sold-out annual concerts.

Members of the NUS Jazz Band network and grow under the tutelage of distinguished international jazz musicians who serve as regular tutors to the group. Through hosting jam sessions, workshops, theory lessons, and masterclasses, the NUS Jazz Band is a haven not just for those deeply passionate about jazz music, but for others who wish to explore their burgeoning interest in the genre.

Auditions typically open around late July and close in mid-August for Semester 1, and in December for Semester 2. Individuals interested to audition or who would like to be kept up to date are invited to follow @nusjazzband on Instagram for regular announcements and snippets of life in the band.


Key Past Events

2023 Annual Concert, “I’ve Got Rhythm!”
2022 Annual Concert, A Night to Remember
2021 Annual Concert, Stolen Moments
2019 Annual concert, Prelude to a Kiss
2018 Annual concert, The Groove Merchant
2017 Annual concert, Feelin’ Good
2016 Annual concert, Groovin’ Hard
2015 Singapore-Germany Jubilee Concert , Singapore Botanic Gardens
2015 NUS Arts Festival Opening Show, Words and Music: A Love Story Told in Jazz with Jeremy Monteiro and Rani Singam
2014 NUS ExxonMobil Campus Concerts highlight, Jazzology
2010 Youth Olympics Games Singapore, Marina Promontory

Chok Kerong

Music Director

Chok Kerong has established himself as one of Singapore’s most versatile talents. Committed to jazz, the pianist and organist has performed with artists such as Steve Wilson, John Riley, Yotam Silberstein and Alex Sipiagin. Kerong’s arrangements and compositions have been performed by luminaries like Jeremy Monteiro, Rani Singam, the T’ang Quartet, the Singapore Wind Symphony, The Jazz Association of Singapore Youth Orchestra, and his own chamber ensemble, Eleven.

 

He has also been working actively with Red Roof Records as music director, arranger and pianist for rising star vocalist Joanna Dong.

 

Most recently, he presented a brand-new set of compositions performed by a band of acclaimed international musicians, Pitch by Chok Kerong, as a follow-up to 2015’s Eleven.

 

An active educator, Chok is the Music Director of the National University of Singapore Jazz Band and an instructor at LASALLE College of the Arts and School of the Arts (SOTA). He also mentors young jazz musicians as part of the Esplanade’s ‘Mosaic Jazz Fellows’ programme.

 

Kerong is a Mosaic Associate Artist, whom the Esplanade has committed to providing tailored, intensive support.

 

[Image by Jensen Ching/Very Crafty]