Five Minutes with Yudi (Shanghai Jazz)
Why No Black Tie? NBT was the place where I began venturing into Jazz music with talented and excellent musicians like Tay Cher Siang, Salvador Guerzo, Vincent Ong and Rizal Soliano. The place provided us musicians to perform in an intimate environment with spontaneous interactions between ourselves and the audience. NBT has been around for...
Five Minutes with Tay Cher Siang
Why No Black Tie? No Black Tie is one of the most important live music venue in the region without a doubt. From my experience of traveling and performing in many places, I have yet to come across a venue in other part of the world that could make me feel so at home. NBT...
Five Minutes with Alex Foster
Why jazz & what was your first instrument? As a kid, I used to play clarinet in a European classical music orchestra. Somewhere along the way I was hooked on jazz. I like the ‘walking’ kinda feel that jazz music has. Running. Walking. It seemed closer to the way I viewed life as a man....
A Few Minutes with Bob James
Radio DJ Naj of Traxx FM’s “Jazz Kitchen” dropped by No Black Tie to interview Bob James during the Bob James Trio rehearsals. This is what the Fourplay piano wizard had to say. Mr James, it is a privellege for me to be sitting in front of you as I have been a great fan....
Five Minutes With Jose Thomas
We managed to catch Jose Thomas for 5 minutes during the intermission of his Jazz Trio performance at NBT. Why No Black Tie? Because it’s the one place where you’re allowed the freedom to play good music. You’re playing with The Jose Thomas Jazz Trio tonight and The Jose Thomas Project next. What’s the difference...
Five Minutes with Gabriel Hernandez
How did you come to No Black Tie? I met Evelyn from NBT last year through a common friend: Alina Ramirez, a Mexican pianist living in Singapore. I came to play in NBT and this club was so cheerful and nice, I felt at home. It was like family. This is important because I am...
Five Minutes with Idang Rasjidi
Why No Black Tie? No Black Tie is well-known musical place. A value place. Why No Black Tie? This is the best to play because the acoustic is very, very professional. Evelyn Hii’s approach is very warm and personal. Evelyn knows me through Lewis Pragasam, so she called me. We didn’t talk about money nothing,...
Five Minutes with Margie Segers
Hi Margie, have you performed in Malaysia before? Yes I have. About six years ago. Why No Black Tie? I didn’t know the place, but I have heard a lot about it — mostly from Idang [Rasjidi]. Idang has been many times and he was always talking about this place — comparing it to some...
Five Minutes with Mike del Ferro
Why No Black Tie? No Black Tie is a venue that should not be missed if you’re in Asia. I’ve known Evelyn even when she was still running the old place. She’s such an amazing lady who really knows how to run a jazz club and also understands a musician’s needs; it’s a great piano,...
Five Minutes with Don Gomes
Why No Black Tie? When you’re a musician, and the gig sounds reasonable — you go. But Evelyn is a personal friend and with her — empathy goes two ways. She’s a fine musician herself, so she has sensitivity to the artist. It’s an excellent room and it sounds very good. It’s just a fun...