Singapore jazz band Evolution Quartet launches debut album 'Reflections'

Reflections: A Taste of Life

Reflections

This composition has Cheryl reflecting on her career as a female jazz pianist and also her time spent pursuing Jazz Music as a major at LaSalle College of Arts. Self-reflection is important in this journey of growth – when coupled with pain, one progresses and moves forward to a better place. She did not think she would get to do this in her 40s as it was never in the
pipeline; she remains thankful for the opportunity and to be able to overcome the challenges of balancing motherhood, family and ultimately giving her best in her major.

The late American jazz pianist McCoy Tyner was the inspiration behind this piece.

Rainbow (Arco Iris in Portuguese) 

Rainbow – a sign of miracles and promise – is a bossa nova rhythm inspired by the late Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and father of the genre. The tune’s bossa nova beat features veteran drummer Tamagoh’s virtuosity and instantly transports the audience to Rio de Janeiro. 

Shoe Shopping (Comprar Sapatos in Portuguese)

Cheryl has a real passion for shoes and loves playing this cheerful samba-inflected tune because she feels as though she could be out on the streets of Europe shopping for shoes – as far as her dreams and imagination take her.

Evolution

This eponymous song is inspired by the Evolution Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a wonderland of moss, ferns, rocks and cycads which makes a great setting for a morning jog. Fabian’s rhythmic and powerful groove on the double bass sets the scene for flutist Rit Xu to build the dynamics of the piece, taking listeners on an emotional journey through modern
jazz and harmonics. It reflects the evolution of the band, pushing boundaries beyond their comfort zone to be a stronger band. 

Magic Carpet

Evolution Quartet had the vast, cinematic Arabian desert in mind when they created this composition for the flute. It is tranquil but also mystical. Improvising over Phrygian scale tones allows for the extraction of dark colour and ethnic flavour; one also detects a slight tension in the C section. The flute takes us on a magical carpet ride over large swathes of the desert and sauntering camels before a graceful landing at the end of the piece.

My Favourite Things 

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s musical The Sound of Music’s My Favourite Things is presented in a jazz rendition by Evolution Quartet, with every note a reminder of the Broadway hit set in the Austrian alps. This song, likely close to the hearts of many, has always been a bucket list for Cheryl to record as she grew up listening to it.

My Papa

This is a melancholic and pensive tribute to Cheryl’s father, the former President of the Singapore Music Teachers Association and formerly a student at the Vienna Conservatory. Cheryl’s formative years in the Teo household were imbued by the late Mr Teo Chin Huat’s love for classical music and jazz. He used to take his children to concerts – from local ones and even to the opera in Vienna – so the joy of music was experienced at a very young age and free from the pressure of formal music exams. Having recognised Cheryl’s love – and aptitude – for jazz, his last words for Cheryl was an advice for her to pursue an education in jazz. Although the late Mr Teo had already departed, his melody lives on in every key. Jazz artiste James Flynn wrote the lyrics for My Papa and in time to come, a version of this song with vocals will be released.