Name: Chok Kerong
Date of Birth: 16/06/83
Instrument: Piano and Keyboards
Influences: Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, Chick Corea,
Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Ornette
Coleman, D'Angelo, Bruce Hornsby
Favourite CDs: Black Codes from the Underground (Wynton Marsalis), Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (Chick Corea), Chick Corea Akoustic Band (Chick Corea), Two Blocks from the Edge (Michael Brecker), The Complete 1964 Concert (Miles Davis), Trio 99-00 (Pat Metheny)
Full Bio
An up and coming keyboardist, Kerong began playing piano at the age of 4. Since he began performing not too long ago, he has worked with many artistes and musicians in very diverse contexts.
Kerong works frequently in the local jazz arena. As an improviser, he possesses a muscular, risk-taking style that is heavily influenced by Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock. At the age of 19, he held his own recital as part of Esplanade’s Music Box Festival in a trio featuring drummer Eddie Layman and bassist Tony Makarome. In late 2004, he performed on electric organ with guitarist Andrew Lim and drummer Soh Wenming at “JazzUp,” a jazz festival held at the Arts House. He was also featured in guitar/gambus virtuoso Farid Ali’s solo concert in early 2005. Apart from the venues he has played with WIRED, Kerong has performed at local jazz club Jazz@Southbridge and Harry’s Bar on occasion.
Kerong’s musical interests span beyond the jazz realm. In the studio, he has played on Penny Tai’s album “No Penn, No Gain,” Singapore Idol winner Taufik Batisah’s album “Blessings” (“Ibu”), Sheikh Haikel’s album “For Sure Too,” CCCrush’s single “Feel the Groove,” and Parking Lot Pimp’s album “Welcome to Our Frequency.” Kerong has performed live with Parking Lot Pimp (“Mosaic,” Esplanade), percussion group Tribal Tide (Botanic Gardens), local band Stoned Revivals (Bar None), R&B band Infusion (Heineken Starbar Festival), and recently, he played keyboards behind Tanya Chua, Robert Fernando and Clement Chow at the Straits Times Anniversary Concert held at the Botanic Gardens.
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