New generation of jazz

Five years ago, Gregory Teo was a metal head doing covers of guitar solos in his bedroom. Today, he is a member of five different bands and has shared a stage with his idol guitarist Simon Yong, and will be playing with saxophonist Corey Manders next.

But those are not his proudest achievements.

Gregory, 19, said: “Recently I had a concert with the Singapore Polytechnic Jazz Band at the Esplanade Recital Studio. I felt there was something so special there that could not be replicated. That was the proudest achievement in my life so far.”

“Back then, I hated music of the now generation, like pop and such. I thought heavy metal was the way,” said the third year music and audio technology (DMAT) student at Singapore Polytechnic.

As a secondary school student, Greg had difficulty paying for his guitars and gear, so he took up part-time jobs to supplement his passion for music.

Citing jazz guitarists Guthrie Govan and Wes Montgomery among his idols, Greg said: “My first job was at McDonalds when I was in secondary three. I worked there for a month just to get enough money to buy a decent guitar that cost me $200 or $300. I also worked a lot of odd jobs, from being a mascot to giving out flyers just to pay for my gear.”

“I am lucky because I am the youngest child and my parents give me more freedom. While they are worried, they still support me,” added Greg, who comes from a family with no musical background.

After noticing their son’s huge interest for music, Greg’s parents encouraged him to study music in Singapore Polytechnic. He coped reasonably well with school while juggling his gigs. In his own words, studying music and audio technology “was all connected”.

“I could shred and play really fast, but when I entered jazz, I felt like I was starting music all over again,” said Greg.

He also started forming bands with his course mates and played at bars to gain recognition. Soon, he was playing gigs at Irish pubs like Muddy Murphy’s and Molly Malone’s. To date, he has played hundreds of gigs, earning two to three thousand a month. His current bands include Shrink The Sun and Plush which are professional bands consisting of a few course mates and friends.

Greg no longer works odd jobs to pay for his gear. Earlier in June, he got sponsored by German guitar company Duesenberg – the same brand that endorsed renowned acts such as The Eagles and John Mayer.

“These musicians were the people I looked up to in the scene and I am finally getting the chance to play with them for events,” said Greg enthusiastically.

When asked about where he sees himself in the future, the jazz convert said: “I am not really worried about how I will be like in 10 years time. No matter where I am in life, I just want to be always chasing music.”

You can catch Greg’s gigs on Thursdays at Fumee, Millennia Walk, and on Fridays at Merdandy’s, Haji Lane.