Epic Shows in December For You!

Hi! 

Wow, it’s been an amazing year!

-> I was the opening act for my musical inspirations: fingerstyle legend Tommy Emmanuel & Jazz Guitar maestro Martin Taylor! 

-> Performed at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in 5 concerts including the Final Fantasy: Music From Distant Worlds concert in their Kuala Lumpur premiere!

-> Embarked on my first European tour with Tara Linda & The Tortilla Western Trio performing in Spain & Germany

-> Festival appearances at Philippine International Jazz Festival and the George Town Literary Festival

...And there’s still more music to close off 2012!

Here are 3 awesome upcoming shows:

POETRY AND MUSIC! 

Tues, Dec 4: Book Celebration: Readings from Readings 2 | Doppel Kafe, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Readings by many of the writers | Music by Brian Gomez & Az Samad | 8:30PM | Free Admission 

I’ll be playing a few solo pieces as a part of this book launch. It’s going to be a night of words and music. =)

Doppel Kafe
Lot 2.04, Mezzanine Floor, 
Central Market Annexe, 
Jalan Hang Kasturi, 
50050 Kuala Lumpur

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THE EPIC OPEN MIC & A SPECIAL GUEST FROM NEW YORK!

Mon, Dec 10: Open Mic #3 hosted by Az Samad | The Venue, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Featured Open Mic Acts: Rafique Rashid, Froya & guest performance by Adam Rafferty | Sign-ups: 7:30PM Adam Rafferty: 8:00PM Open Mic Starts: 8:50pm | Free Admission

Come to Open Mic @ The Venue #3 on Monday, Dec 10th, 8pm with special guest funky fingerstyle guitarist Adam Rafferty! Come and watch this amazing guitarist all the way from New York City! 45-minute set yo! =) 

If you've never heard of Adam, check out these video links:

1) his version of Stevie Wonder's Superstition [YOUTUBE LINK]
2) his take on The Beatles classic Can't Buy Me Love [YOUTUBE LINK]

For open mic acts, sign-up is at 7:30pm. 15 slots only! Featured acts are Rafique Rashid & Froya.

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EVERGREEN MALAYSIAN MUSIC REIMAGINED ON GUITAR & VOICE!

Wed, Dec 19: The Malaysian Music Project with Az Samad & Cheryl Tan | The Venue, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 9:30PM | Cover Charge: RM40 (inclusive of first drink)

Catch vocalist Cheryl Tan with myself performing Malaysian music! From classic songs from Sheila Majid, Sudirman, to modern favorites by OAG, Yuna & Mia Palencia! 

This is a new ongoing collaborative project! Come and catch our first feature show together. =)

The Venue, 
Lot C4.06.02, Connection Level 4, 
Pavilion KL, 
168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 
55100 Kuala Lumpur

Thanks to for supporting my music! Hope to see you at an upcoming show. =)

Cheers,
Az

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Swing Kings Is Back! [MPO Happy Hour Concert]

[L-R] Az Samad, Miroslav Danis, Gabe Evans, Joe Pruessner, Matt Larsen & Peter Danis

Featuring the distinctive styles of swing, jazz and blues, the Swing Kings is back with:

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra's
Miroslav Danis - Violin
Peter Danis - Mandolin
Matt Larsen - Clarinet
Joe Pruessner - Bass & Vocals

along with:

Gabe Evens - Piano & Vocals
Wan Gigi - Guitar 
Az Samad - Guitar

When: Wednesday, Nov 21 2012 @ 6:30PM
Where: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Suria KLCC [MAP HERE]

Ticket Price (RM): 30 

Buy tickets online here:
http://www.mpo.com.my/Upcoming-Performances/Following-Concerts/MPO-Happy-Hour-(1).aspx?docid=3039&perfname=MPO+Jam-Busters

Dress Code: Strictly NO Jeans, denim, shorts,collarless T-shirts/singlets, sneakers and slippers at any time.

FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/218937571572452/

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Tommy Emmanuel in Kuala Lumpur!

With Tommy Emmanuel at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Suria KLCC circa 1998.The first time I saw Tommy Emmanuel perform was at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in 1998. I just started music college & got to audition to be a part of his guitar masterclass. At that time, I only played nylon string guitar. It was only later that I got a steel string guitar because of Tommy’s influence.

I also arranged my own version of Day Tripper after watching him play that Beatles classic. Since I didn’t have access to any kind of tablature or transcription, I had to figure out my own take on it. 

Another one of Tommy's compositions 'Dixie McGuire' inspired my song 'Antartika' of my 2004 debut CD, "Acoustic Gestures". 

Tommy autographing my Esteve classical guitar.My old guitar - still have it!

After that, I saw Tommy twice - once at another show at Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel in 2000, and then at Regatta Bar in Cambridge, Massachussetts while I was attending Berklee College of Music in 2005. 

Tommy playing an epic 3-hour (!!!) show at Regatta Bar.

Every single time I saw a Tommy Emmanuel concert, he just stunned me with his amazing musicality & playing. He continued to inspire me & made me work hard at my craft.

LINK: [Read my blog post about the 2005 Regatta Bar concert I attended here]

After Tommy's Regatta Bar, Cambridge MA show in 2005Now, 14 years after my first encounter with Tommy, I feel really blessed to be a part of Guitar Circle, the opening act for Tommy's concert in Kuala Lumpur this Friday night.

Four guitarists: William Kok, Ray Cheong, Andy Ngew and myself will be performing to open Tommy's concert. We're all from the local fingerstyle guitar community & this is a great opportunity to showcase local talent!  

It's a real dream come true for a KL kid like me! It's amazing to get a chance perform on the same stage as the guitar virtuoso, Tommy Emmanuel himself!

14 years later, this Friday. =)

I hope you can be there too! It's will be fun night of guitar!!! 

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Concert Tickets are available at The Guitar Store outlets & online via TicketPro

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Interview on The Lounge @ 8Twelve Live

On August 24th, I was interviewed live-on-air by Gerard Ratnam for The Lounge @ 8Twelve Live. I talked about my Solo Guitar Retrospective performance & even did an impromptu fingerstyle guitar tutorial! 

Listen to the entire show via the YouTube link above. 

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Songs Of Love @ No Black Tie

 ❤ Songs of Love by Az Samad @ No Black Tie

Date: Monday, 5 November 2012
Time: 9.30pm
Cover Charge: RM30
Duration: 2 Sets of Music (45 minutes per set, 90 minutes in total)
Venue: No Black Tie, 17 Jalan Mesui, Off Jalan Nagasari, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone: 03-2142 3737 (call after 5pm)

RSVP on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/157076267764881

[About 'Songs of Love']

This performance will touch on all aspects of love - from the very first moment of falling in love, to being in love and then, falling out of love. The feeling just before a heartbreak, the actual heartbreak, the feeling of loss and being overwhelmed. There will be reflections on innocent love, understated love and even unrequited love. 

“All these are feelings that I've experienced and like a photographer who takes a photo to capture a moment in time, I use my music to photograph the moments,” Az reflects.

The audience can expect to hear sad songs that reminds one of the pain of heartbreak, happy songs that capture the feeling when one has just fallen in love and the excitement and hope of new love - the rush from a crush. 

Some of the pieces in the Songs of Love line-up include:

The Night Before - a song about the calm before the storm, how everything seems to be fine in a relationship just before the breakup the next day.

Salam Rindu - a Celtic-influenced piece, a ballad that captures the feeling of missing someone, and a greeting of love from across the world.

Across The Skies - of long distance love and how it feels to be apart from your loved one.

Almost Beautiful - the feeling of lost love, almost losing love, not quite sure yet, not quite sad, not quite happy, uncertainty in the air.

Apart from his original music, Az will also perform some covers such as When I Fall In Love - by Victor Young (music) and Edward Heyman (lyrics) and also Malam Bulan Di Pagar Bintang by Allahyarham Tan Sri P. Ramlee.

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