Paul Augustin is a major figure not only in the Malaysian performing arts scene but also carries a global reputation as a festival director, historian, curator and writer. After a career as a musician-playing, writing compositions and producing albums – he moved into event management, was attached to Stadium Shah Alam, before forming his own events company, The Capricorn Connection, which has been notable in organising a series of festivals. He is the founder of the Penang Island Jazz Festival and, as festival director, has been invited to speak at music industry events around the world. He established the unique Penang House of Music in 2016, a major venue hosting a gallery on musical history, an unparalleled resource centre and black box venue. He is also the co-author of Just for the Love of It: Penang’s Popular Music, 1930s- 1960s (2015).
Penang House of Music strives to archive and document Malaysia’s intangible musical history. At our resource centre, we document and digitise audio and visual material of various formats relating to Malaysian music and musicians. More than just a collection centre or repository, we also curate content and produce articles and mini documentaries in order to provide information and material to the public, students and researchers.
The first of 4 parts, this documentary shines light on Jimmy Boyle, one of the pioneers in the field of music in the early days of the Malayan independence. Jimmy played a major role in the development of the Malayan, now Malaysian, “sound” through his many musical contributions and compositions. His musical styles crossed many boundaries and his compositions reflected his passion for both modern and traditional styles. Jazz was his great love but he also had a love for the beauty of Malay music. He wrote songs and carved melodies that incorporate Malay rhythms and influences and called it ‘Malayan music’. A musician of exceptional foresight, Jimmy composed over 300 songs, with some of his compositions being light-years ahead of their time. ‘Jauh Jauh’, ‘Gema Rembulan’. ‘Putera Puteri’. ‘Sungai Pahang’ and ‘Chendering’ are just a few memorable examples of his songs which have achingly beautiful melodies atop complex, sophisticated, yet alluring chordal structures; melodies so timeless, they could well have been composed today.
