Pretty jazzy
Malaysian songstress May Mow is gaining popularity for her soulful rendition of shidaiqu – a fusion of Chinese folk and American jazz.
AFTER a four-year wait, Malaysian songstress May Mow has finally unveiled her much-anticipated jazz project.
In a recent press conference, the singer launched her latest full-length album The Exquisite Sound Of May Mow and announced her Jazzy May Mow Concert in December.
While she is all smiles now, Mow, 36, revealed that she was plagued with constant health issues that prevented her from completing the album earlier.
“The album itself took four years in the making, chiefly due to the fact that I had to take time off to recover from a persistent throat inflammation which interrupted the recording of the album.
“Sometimes I tend to overthink the situation. Perhaps I was feeling too much pressure from trying to meet expectations. Or maybe it was because of the cold weather during my travels.
“But I was constantly bogged down by painful throat infections that kept me from performing at my best in the recording studio,” she said.
The album features Mow’s smooth vocals on 10 popular songs including Mandarin favourites Drunk In Your Embrace, Mysterious Lady, Wandering Songstress, Missing Each Other, Drifting, Red Tears, Expressing My Love, Lover’s Tears, Moonlight Sonata and Hokkien song Rainy Night With Spring Breeze.
Known for her soulful renditions of shidaiqu (evergreen classics that are a fusion of Chinese folk and American jazz), Mow said she was elated with the lively reception she got from audiophiles at a music fest in Hong Kong when she last performed there in August.
Mow, who hails from Penang, kickstarted her singing career by participating in local reality television singing competitions like 8TV’S Project Superstar (Malaysia) (2006) and Ultimate Power Star (2011)
In 2014, she signed with local label Pop Pop Music and released her debut album Flirtation, Passion And Reflection the following year.
Apart from her solo activities, Mow also performs as part of a local jazz trio named Shanghai Sisters together with her label mates Janet Lee and Winnie Ho. The trio has just received a nomination for best group at the upcoming 2020 Chinese AIM local music awards which will be held in January next year.
A seasoned performer on a live stage, Mow admits she doesn’t have any fancy backstage rituals.
“While waiting for my cue backstage, I would stand in front of the mirror and tell myself that the stage is all mine. Standing in my heels and in my outfit, I’d visualise myself owning the stage and feel like I’ve completed a full concert,” she said.
For her upcoming show next month, Mow will be serenading music lovers with the popular evergreen classics.
In addition to presenting songs from her latest album, the concert is also set to offer a hint of what’s in store for her next album.
Jazzy May Mow Concert will be held at Bentley Music Auditorium on Dec 6 at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at RM120 and RM80. To book your seats, call 012-208 3790.