Tuesday
Jul212015
Az & Kirsten
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Guitarist-Composer-Educator Az Samad has been performing internationally for the past 19 years, across the United States, Europe and Asia. Blending his classical guitar training with his harmonic sensibility from his jazz pedigree, Az’s jazz guitar renditions are both sophisticated to experienced jazzers and accessible to the general audience. His compositions have been described as “at times playful and irreverent, and at other times lyrical and soulful, but always inventive, tastefully crafted and beautifully nuanced — an absolute pleasure to listen to.”
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In addition to his extensive performance credentials, Az has 17 years of teaching experience. This has been shaped by his musical training which includes 4 degrees in music. He received degrees from University of Westminster, UK; Jazz Composition and Guitar Performance - Summa Cum Laude Honors from Berklee College of Music, USA; and Masters in Music (Jazz Studies) from San Jose State University.
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Classically trained on the piano since the age of five, Kirsten Long graduated with First Class Honours from University of Malaya with a Bachelors Degree in Performing Arts (Music), majoring in Jazz Piano. She currently teaches classical and contemporary (jazz and pop) piano as well as vocals (jazz, broadway, pop). Kirsten has a strong passion in writing and performing her own compositions and is delving deeper into this with the duo.
In this project, Az & Kirsten explore different songs in the spirit of jazz duos like Tuck and Patti, Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass with a Malaysian twist. Together they have been sharing their art with audiences in Kuala Lumpur at No Black Tie, Page 2, Mezze Lounge, The Bee, Good Friends Cafe, Barlai and Art In The Park. Recently, they were invited by Macau Jazz Promotion Association and the Macau government for their international debut at the Amphitheater of the Taipa Houses-Museum in Macau.
Az & Kirsten are available for corporate functions, private events, product launches & more. Please contact us at http://www.azsamad.com/contact for more information.