I have heard about the place but did not bother to check it out until yesterday evening.
Both my friend and I enjoy jamming and we agreed to see what it was like. But we chose the wrong time and day: had dinner at the hawker stalls next to Wooley's Food & Amusement Centre at around 7 pm (Sunday) and then looked for it. We thought it was located in one of the shops opposite the hawker centre but it was not. We went past a 7-11 outlet and asked a worker there who went in to ask another, but was no help. Then we went past the shops and turned right and saw a neon sign of a saxophone and knew we found it. It was actually behind the hawker centre where we had our dinner!
It was past 8 pm, but for such a place, too early for anything. Asked the man himself, Denis (my friend recognized him from write-ups in the papers (Alexandra Wong was one who wrote about it in 2008, and according to their website http://denisjazzbistro.blogspot.com/ which seems inactive since 2009, YB Fong Po Kuan patronized it in 2008) and he said more people would come after 10.30 pm. It was later that I found out from him that he has been in business for 5 years already! I told him of my wish to have such a place (but not the running of a business) for music jamming.
Being in an intermediate shoplot, the space is rather limited and I could see the well equipped music section rather cramped. After a drink, we asked for permission to play and as expected, was welcomed by Denis, who must be used to such requests and each time, interested in knowing the standard of play. Well, like what I have just read in a blog, the place 'where everybody knows your name' has been compared with that of Cheers. We were the only customers at the time and we could try any instrument we like. Being new, my friend said if we didn't start, later we might not have the chance. But even when we left we were the only ones playing!
Anyway, I tried out the Tama drums and was very pleased with the well tuned sounds and surprised at the comprehensive percussion instruments available. I counted 5 cymbals, a cowbell and even chimes! There were sets of congas and bongos and I noticed a shaker lying around. There were microphones next to the drums for amplifying the sounds. My friend, a guitarist was pleased with the Godin guitar which still had a price tag of over Rm6,000. Denis admitted he is no musician but plays the drums when necessary. Later, on our way out, he advised me to visit on a Friday night to play drums, probably to relieve him during the busiest evening of the week. Actually we waited until 10 pm, for the regular guitarist, Kenny Ham, but he was still 'on the way'. I have played with him before and I felt myself not up to the mark, myself being an amateur while he was already a pro. But the reason we wanted to check out the place was to find out if the atmosphere is conducive to us. Denis said Kenny is now not so demanding in terms of standard of play expected of musicians wannabes, but we went there way too early. Most people have to work on Monday, so Sunday night is usually not as well patronized as Friday or Saturday.
There is even a tv screen linked to a computer and internet. The place has wifi connections and said to be popular among those with notebooks, tablets or smart phones during the day. Before we left, Denis showed us his collection of music videos of older pop groups (of my time) on the screen just to let us know what type of music is being played most of the time, like He ain't heavy and Bus stop by The Hollies, and Reflections of my life by Marmalade. For me, a visit on a Friday night is definitely on. I like the casual and friendly ambience. It was mentioned elsewhere that he does mind customers bringing in their own wines and there is no corkage charge!
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Both my friend and I enjoy jamming and we agreed to see what it was like. But we chose the wrong time and day: had dinner at the hawker stalls next to Wooley's Food & Amusement Centre at around 7 pm (Sunday) and then looked for it. We thought it was located in one of the shops opposite the hawker centre but it was not. We went past a 7-11 outlet and asked a worker there who went in to ask another, but was no help. Then we went past the shops and turned right and saw a neon sign of a saxophone and knew we found it. It was actually behind the hawker centre where we had our dinner!
It was past 8 pm, but for such a place, too early for anything. Asked the man himself, Denis (my friend recognized him from write-ups in the papers (Alexandra Wong was one who wrote about it in 2008, and according to their website http://denisjazzbistro.blogspot.com/ which seems inactive since 2009, YB Fong Po Kuan patronized it in 2008) and he said more people would come after 10.30 pm. It was later that I found out from him that he has been in business for 5 years already! I told him of my wish to have such a place (but not the running of a business) for music jamming.
Being in an intermediate shoplot, the space is rather limited and I could see the well equipped music section rather cramped. After a drink, we asked for permission to play and as expected, was welcomed by Denis, who must be used to such requests and each time, interested in knowing the standard of play. Well, like what I have just read in a blog, the place 'where everybody knows your name' has been compared with that of Cheers. We were the only customers at the time and we could try any instrument we like. Being new, my friend said if we didn't start, later we might not have the chance. But even when we left we were the only ones playing!
Anyway, I tried out the Tama drums and was very pleased with the well tuned sounds and surprised at the comprehensive percussion instruments available. I counted 5 cymbals, a cowbell and even chimes! There were sets of congas and bongos and I noticed a shaker lying around. There were microphones next to the drums for amplifying the sounds. My friend, a guitarist was pleased with the Godin guitar which still had a price tag of over Rm6,000. Denis admitted he is no musician but plays the drums when necessary. Later, on our way out, he advised me to visit on a Friday night to play drums, probably to relieve him during the busiest evening of the week. Actually we waited until 10 pm, for the regular guitarist, Kenny Ham, but he was still 'on the way'. I have played with him before and I felt myself not up to the mark, myself being an amateur while he was already a pro. But the reason we wanted to check out the place was to find out if the atmosphere is conducive to us. Denis said Kenny is now not so demanding in terms of standard of play expected of musicians wannabes, but we went there way too early. Most people have to work on Monday, so Sunday night is usually not as well patronized as Friday or Saturday.
There is even a tv screen linked to a computer and internet. The place has wifi connections and said to be popular among those with notebooks, tablets or smart phones during the day. Before we left, Denis showed us his collection of music videos of older pop groups (of my time) on the screen just to let us know what type of music is being played most of the time, like He ain't heavy and Bus stop by The Hollies, and Reflections of my life by Marmalade. For me, a visit on a Friday night is definitely on. I like the casual and friendly ambience. It was mentioned elsewhere that he does mind customers bringing in their own wines and there is no corkage charge!
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