Michael Simon Quintet celebrates the release of his new CD "Destiny's Will", site No Black Tie - Kuala Lampur, Malasya (October 9 and 10, 2015)

"For pleasure of all lovers of good music, the witty Michael Simon continues firing his creations through its vibrant trumpet in various rhythms of Jazz. This production, “Destiny's Will - Live At No Black Tie, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia", confirms growth and versatility in this remarkable musician. At this time Mr. Simon is one of the best trumpet players can enjoy the world". Luis Raul Montell, Fundacion Jazz Venezolano

"Destiny's Will" is the first live recording and third album of Michael Simon and is due to release this October. This album is co-produced by Michael and ‘No Black Tie’, a premier jazz club in Malaysia and was recorded with well known musicians from Malaysia including the veteran pianist, Michael Veerapen and the young and talented drummer, John Ashley Thomas. 

"Destiny's Will", the title song of this album, is an original composition by Michael. Most have commented that it is a very catchy song that you can't get out of your head and can't help falling in love with over and over again. Before Michael could record the song himself, Roberto Quintero (too venezuelan), a very famous Latin Jazz Percussionist based in the US had asked Michael's permission to include the song in his album not too long ago. Till to date, artists from various genres including those in the pop culture are still asking Michael to play the song whenever they work with him. 

Since Michael set foot on Malaysian soil a couple of years ago, his heart was instantaneously gripped by the classical Malay music and so he went on to record Getaran Jiwa by the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee and Jauh Jauh by the late Jimmy Boyle. Michael also included some popular music from China, namely "Your Man" （你的他）, "Does He Know or Not" (知道不知道）and "The Guessing Song" (猜调) as recommended by his special guest on this album, Jasmine Chen. While Michael admits that he may not have fully understood the lyrics of these songs and may never will, he could relate to the essence of the music put forth by the creators of these songs and has given these songs The Elements that they asked of him. What better way to pay tribute to these great musicians who have made huge contributions to the music scenes of Malaysia and China this way!

Line-up:
Michael Simon – trumpet, flugelhorn
Patrick Terbrack – saxophones
Michael Veerapen - piano
John Ashley Thomas - drums
Daniel Foong - bass

Special guest:
Jasmine Chen – vocals

Tour Dates

Oct 8, 2015     Michael Simon Destiny's Will      Johor Bahru, Mya (Arts Fest)

Oct 9, 2015     Michael Simon Destiny's Will (CD Launch)     Kuala Lampur    No Black Tie

Oct 10, 2015     Michael Simon Destiny's Will (CD Launch)     Kuala Lampur    No Black Tie

Notes of Michael Simon:

Born: January 14, 1975

Michael Simon's exposure to music started at a very young age. His father, Hadsy Simon, a guitarist and singer (who started it all), and his brothers Edward (pianist) and Marlon (drummer) kept the music environment in the house and supported him throughout his studies.

At the age of fourteen, Michael started taking trumpet lessons as well as musical theory and solfege lessons at a local music school in Valencia (Venezuela), and later started gaining on-stage experience playing with local (popular music) bands. Troughout this period, his brothers encouraged him to listen to Jazz, which drove him to a desire for new goals. And while on vacation in Curacao visiting his father, Michael had the opportunity to attend his first Jazz Festival where he ended up shocked after hearing the legendary cuban group Irakere.

In 1991, Michael went to cuba to study music at the Escuela de Superacion Profesional “Ignacio Cervantes”, which he attended for two years. During his research in Cuba he had many private lessons with amaizing trumpetters like: Juan Munguia, Roberto Garcia, El Greco, Jose Alberto Varona, Alfredo Pichardo and others.

Looking for a school with a jazz program, as he got more and more interest in jazz, Michael decided to spend some time with his father in Curacao, where he started working as a professional trumpetter with local jazz and latin bands.

It wasn't until 1993, that he was auditioned by Jan Laurens Hartong and Eric Calmes (teachers at the Rotterdams Conservatory) and admitted him to study in the jazz department; when he moved to The Netherlands. In 1998 he obtained his degree of D.M. (bachelour) for trumpet and started another course on composing and arranging in the same school. Throughout this period, working as a professional trumpetter in The Netherlands, Michael had the opportunity to perform in the most important theaters, concert halls and festivals. In the summer of 1997 he made his first appearance at the North Sea Jazz Festival as a member of the Fra Fra Big Band and the following year with Gerardo Rosales's Latin Jazz Ensemble, he has been a steady member of these groups since 1996 as well as of Fra Fra Sound.

So far, he has accumulated an impressive curriculum. His work experience includes performances with some of the top Latin and Jazz artists in the world such as Lester Bowie, Denise Jannah, Rotterdams Fabrikaat Big Band, Ben Herman, Bobby Watson, Conexion Latina, Toumani Diabate, Andy Gonzalez, Edward Simon, Lukas van Merwijk and Cubop City Big Band, Ronald Snijders, Marlon Simon, Javier Plaza, Eddie Martinez and recently with David Murray. Throughout his concert tours, he has performed in Irland, Benelux, France, Switzer- land, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Austria, Finland and also in countries outside Europe such as USA, Jamaica, Hungary, Surinam, Guatemala, South Africa and five countries in West Africa.

Now a days, Michael has been getting more and more into writing music, since he obtained his bachelour degree for composition and arranging and was assigned to write a composition for Fra Fra Sound in 1998, receiving a grant from the Fonds voor de Scheppende Toonkunst and also wrote all music for the theaterplay “Virus”. In the summer of 2006 he received the “Terpstra Music Soloist Price” for his solo- performance with the Residence Big Band at the Dutch National Big Band Concourse. Michael is active as a steady member of the bands: Fra Fra Sound, Fra Fra Big Band, Conexion Latina, Gerardo Rosales y su Trabucombo and Gerardo Rosales Latin Jazz Ensemble, and recently he has formed his own group.

Michael was felt with his two previous CDs "Revelation" and "New York Encounter," and this "Destiny's Will" in its Malaysian adventure is on successful path.

Also the youngest of the Simon dynasty remains in effect the following projects: Dutch Caribbean Groove Orchestra, MS & Samuel Torres, MS & Roots United, MS-5 and MS Destiny's Will.

Let's enjoy this video where Michael and his group performed "Sabor Intimo" live:

www.michaelsimonart.com

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