A FAZZ-INATING BAND

You can try to pigeonhole FAZZ's music, but you won't succeed 

- STUART DANKER 

FAZZ CONSISTS OF Heewon Cho on keyboard or piano, Azad Khiruddin on skins, Aabid Aafiat on winds, Raja Farouk on bass, and Tan Yon Lynn on vocals – an eclectic mix of personalities, sounds, and aesthetics.

The result is a spectacular combination of theatre and vocals, classical and contemporary. It’s hard to translate this band’s colourful presence into words, so Augustman Malaysia spoke to them to get to know them better.

Tell us about how FAZZ came to be.

FAZZ originated as a duo between late 2010 and 2011, with Kevin Vong, the founding singer, eager to pen original songs. Having already written a few tracks, he was in search of a partner to embark on this musical venture. When Heewon Cho came on board, the two shared a common goal to expand the group. With her inclusion, they set out to recruit additional members and formally established the band.

Why jazz?

In the band’s formative years, blues was a predominant element in our sound. As we progressed, swing has always been known to be part of FAZZ’s identity. Back when jazz music was formed in the 1920s, it represented a symbol of freedom in the form of lyrical prose and musical expression.

Perhaps what jived with FAZZ is how we can express ourselves musically within this description. As ‘classy’ as it is known in today’s listening wavelength, it was a vehicle used by the younger generation to rebel against the then-traditional culture.

Across FAZZ’s diverse cultures and backgrounds, we share a common goal when it comes to doing things differently. FAZZ has always had a spirit of non-conforming and doing things the way we like. Maybe that’s why it’s jazz.