Ahmad Ja'afar

Musician Ahmad Ja'afar (b. 1919, North Sumatra, Indonesia - ) is a retired leading conductor of Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Orchestra. The respected composer of more than 60 Malay songs including all-time favourites such as Selamat Hari Raya, Ibu and Bunga Tanjung, he was conferred the Public Service Star award in 1970 and Cultural Medallion in 1981 for his great contribution to the world of Malay music.

Early life
Ahmad Ja'afar (b. 1919, North Sumatra, Indonesia - ) was born Binjai in North Sumatra where he grew up under the care of his grandmother. His parents, silent-cinema operators, were too busy working to tend to him. He was educated till Standard Four in Methodist Boys' School after which he transferred to a different school, studying till Standard Seven. As a student, Ahmad learned to blow the bugle when he was a scout. He added other musical instruments -- piano, violin and drums - which he played in cinema orchestras in the era of silent movies.

In the 1930s, Ahmad's musical exposure was enhanced at Mohamed Darus Omar's house. The latter was the director of Sultan of Langkat's military band which often performed at Binjai. Ahmad also joined the band, Medan Amateur Orchestra, en ensemble of local Indonesians as well as Dutch civil servants and professionals, playing a wide range of music from brass band and parades to symphonic music.

With the onset of World War II, Medan Amateur Orchestra disbanded. Ahmad, along with some of his ex-bandmates then formed a new band, performing mainly Malay and Japanese music during the Japanese Occupation.

Career
After the war, Ahmad felt that it was time to move on and it was his dream to join Radio Malaya, a radio station he had been listening to from young. In 1946, Ahmad made his way to Singapore with his wife on a four-hour motor boat journey. Unemployed for the first twomonths after arriving in Singapore, he finally landed a job as a saxophonist with the Cecil Wilson Band playing at Great World Cabaret. Ahmad earned a comfortable sum of S$250 per month at the time. He left the band in 1948.

In 1949, Ahmad signed up with Harry Hackmayer's band which was based at the Cathay Restaurant. His salary had increased by now to about S$400 per month. The band was contracted to perform at various hotels' theme nights, playing Malayan, Latin America and even circus theme songs.

In the 1950s, Ahmad managed to get a part time position with his dream radio station, Radio Malaya. As a part time musician, he won contracts to compose musical soundtracks for Malay film companies such as Cathay Film. The result was the creation of some of the most distinctive and memorable all-time favourite Malay songs, which he composed for Malay movies, such as Selamat Hari Raya and Ibu. In 1958, Ahmad joined Radio Malaya on a full-time basis. Playing the clarinet, flute and tenor saxophone, he performed with his first professional band, Malayannaires. When Singapore gained independence in 1965, Ahmad was named as deputy conductor of the newly formed Radio and Television Singapore (RTS) Orchestra. Two years later, he took up the position of leading conductor of the orchestra until his retirement in 1984. In the 1970s, he accompanied aspiring singers with his arrangement in the musical competition, Talentime.

Quote
"Music has always been my greatest love and I'll continue to be active in the field. I may no longer be a professional musician, but that doesn't mean I'll stop playing altogether."

Time- line
1930s : Band member of Medan Amateur Orchestra
1946 : At the age of 27, he moved to Singapore with his wife.
1946 - 1948 : Saxophonist with Cecil Wilson Band at the Great World Cabaret.
1949 - 1950s : Band member of Harry Hackmayer Band
1958 : Joined Radio Malaya as professional musician playing for a band called Malayannaires
1965 : Appointed Deputy Leader, Radio Singapore Orchestra
1967 : Leading conductor, Radio and Television Singapore Orchestra (later known as SBC Orchestra)
1970s : Best remembered for conducting SBC Orchestra for Talentime programmes in this decade
11 Jul 1982 : Ahmad's last public appearance in SBC Orchestra Concert at Victoria Concert Hall. He conducted television and movie theme songs such as Love Boat, Star Wars, Streets of San Francisco and Superman.
16 Jul 1982 : Retired from SBC Orchestra

Awards
1970 : Public Administration (Bronze)
1981 : Cultural Medallion
26 Sep 1995 : Excellent Achievement Award, People's Association Malay Activity Groups Coordinating Council
5 May 1996 : Meritorious Award, Composer and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass), for extensive contribution to local music scene

Popular songs composed by Ahmad
Selamat Hari Raya, Ibu, Seri Mersing, Dondang Sayang, Burung Emas, Hujan Lebat

Family
Mother: Ulung Rajunah
Wife: Sutinah Enchu
Children: Muliadi Ahmad Jaafar, son; Madam Anim Ahmad Jaafar, daughter and second child.



Author
Nureza Ahmad



References
Puroshothaman, V. (Ed.). (2002). Narratives: Notes on a cultural journey (pp. 88-89). Singapore: National Arts Council.
(Call no. : SING 700.95957 NAR) 

Chung, T. M. (1995, September 27). PM 3 challenges for Malay community. The Straits Times. 

Faezah Ismail (1982, July 9). Farewell to Mr Music. New Nation.

Fernandez, W. (1995, September 27). Poet, civil servant and musician extraordinaire. The Straits Times. 

Goh, P. (1983, April 11). Ahmad Jaafar looks back. The Business Times.

Hafidah Selamat (2004, February 21). Relive yesteryear with past composers. New Straits Times, p. 3. 

Lam, D. (1981, September 15). Father of modern Malay pops. The Straits Times.

Six artistes to get cultural awards at Istana. (1981, September 6). The Straits Times.

Veteran composers win top honours. (1996, May 8). The Straits Times, Life, p. 6.

Asia One Food & Entertainment. (2004). Live in The Chamber at The Arts House. Retrieved July 30, 2004, from food.asia1.com.sg/clubscene/clu_20040719_001.shtml

Taufik-Batisah.net. (2001-2005). Touched. Retrieved December 1, 2005, from taufik-batisah.net/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=51.

Play us a song, you're the music man. (2005, August 5). Retrieved December 1, 2005, from www.todayonline.com/articles/65062.asp


Further Readings
The Arts House. (2004). Golden classics. Retrieved July 30, 2004, from www.theartshouse.com.sg/feast_of_films.html 



The information in this article is valid as at 2005 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the library for further reading materials on the topic. 

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Artists
Musicians--Singapore
Conductors(Music)--Singapore
Arts>>Music>>Conducting



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