EVENTS

For more than a century, ‘real books’ have been the jazz musician’s best friend. Originally, they contained collated lead sheets for a raft of standards from the Great American Songbook. Over the last ten years, the Malaysian jazz scene has been revolutionised in the same way. Thanks to a community-driven project, led by some of the most prominent and dedicated musicians, there is now a unique publication, The Malaysian Real Book, containing hundreds of tunes, the first of its kind in Asia. It is nothing less than a mapping of the popular music history of Malaysia. 

The “Malaysian Real Book II: Past to Present” follows on from the first Malaysian Real Book concerts, presented to box office and critical success at GTF 2025. It celebrates the rich and diverse heritage of Malaysian music while also showcasing the work of current composers and songwriters. 

The concerts are fronted by three of Malaysia’s best jazz vocalists – the velvety Ida Mariana, the sparkling Janet Lee, and the soulful Yon Lynn – each possessing a deep passion for the Great Malaysian Songbook. Singing traditional standards and contemporary originals from the treasure trove of The Malaysian Real Book – songs in Malay, Chinese and English – their individual and combined styles are innovative and charged by boundless musical joy, all rooted in a distinctly Malaysian jazz sound. Expect soaring vocals and a foot-tapping vibe carried by the rhythms of swing, bebop and soul, and accompanied by the award-winning WVC Jazz Quintet.

Photo and Description credit: George Town Festival website