Felix Phang
Singapore
Singaporean composer/bassist Felix Phang grew up playing symphonic band music and discovered jazz at Berklee College of Music. An independent artist navigating tradition, change and a confluence of cultures, he seeks to make sense of the ‘Singapore Sound’ by experimenting with ethnic, western and new instruments. Inspired by the Silk Road Project, Phang is motivated to share culture through composition, performance and education.
In 2015, Phang recorded an album of his original jazz compositions for a 10-piece band that drew
praise from his contemporaries and support from the National Arts Council. Phang’s work has been presented at international music festivals and his piece “49 Days” was selected to be featured as part of the New Music Workshops 2017 International Jazz Composers’ Symposium in May 2017,
organized by the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers (ISJAC).
Phang is currently working on “Beneath the Surface”, a 5-part project that explores the cultural identity of Singapore with a suite of music composed around the themes of ‘diversity’ and ‘relationships’ for ensembles comprising western, ethnic and newly created ceramic instruments.
Phang holds an adjunct position at LASALLE College of the Arts, and mentors young writers in his own time.
Phang currently heads the Music & Drama Company under So Drama! Entertainment.
Music and Drama Company (MDC) began as the Singapore Armed Forces Music & Drama Company (SAF MDC) in 1973, and was formed by then Minister of Defence Dr Goh Keng Swee as a vehicle to boost the morale of soldiers and spread national education messages through live music, and song and dance performances. SAF MDC kept the troops entertained and slowly earned recognition as the public face of the SAF through public performances and collaborations with the then Radio and Television Singapore.
Today, MDC reaches out to an even wider audience than before, entertaining all with the same boundless enthusiasm and exceptional standard of performance.