my apology

To everyone who tried to tune in for our debut interview on air yesterday:

i'm truly, very, greatly, sorry. Apparently the traxxfm's real player link was not updated. We're at the station and found out that the fella who's suppose to repair this, was on medical leave, due to side-effects (sickness) of fasting. Hope he'll get well soon, so as the link. We want more jazz music online! Are you with me?

1st interview on national jazz program!

Catch GruvAvénue even though on the other side of the earth?

Tune in to Traxx.FM (90.3 /100.1 FM in the Klang Valley) tomorrow, tuesday night for the Jazz Selecta program from 9:00 PM. to midnight (Malaysian time) for a whole stretch of jazzing and grooving. Brief news updates will be presented at every hour, so stay tune even though you don’t hear any music playing (yet!). The show “officially” begins at 10:00 PM, continues by Jezza & Maya interviewing GruvAvénue! A short anecdote of jazz history and sub-genre facts will be conducted by “The Maestro” around 10:45 PM. Then we’ll heat the nite with more groovy and funky great listenings til midnight.

For KL-based listeners :

Here’s what we got for you! 2 pieces of gift vouchers sponsored by Bangkok Jazz Thai Bistro are for grabs! So what are you waiting for? Just call in and answer a simple question, you’ll be the lucky one! Interested listeners can call in at:

03-22825491 or 03-22824746

A sneak peek? Alright!
This is not just any typical interview with stereotype information about the band. Many aspects including GruvAvénue upcoming performances, new band sound, and their challenges to survive as an instrumental (or all male?!) group will be brought up (hopefully!). There’s a list of tough questions courtesy of local jazz-site – alldatjazz.com. And if you hear any hiccups or plenty silent moments, please forgive us. This is our first time on air. So click me to tune in.

Friendly radio hosts, the great looking Seremban-born radio DJ Jezza, and the multi-talented belle Maya can be reached through the phone numbers mentioned above during the show!
Or send messages via SMS “tx [songtitle]” to 39330

They can also be contacted via email but do that early.

Email: maya@traxxfm.net or jezza@traxxfm.net

malaysian time or GST?

For your information, when it's 10:00 PM (TUESDAY) in Kuala Lumpur.
GruvAvénue will be feature in national radio jazz program.

Tune In Here!

All timing stated above might not be accurate by the time of publish since my geography still has plenty of room to improve.

Here's the official press release for our upcoming radio interview.

Minus my usual goofy attitude. Enjoy!

Contemporary Jazz group GruvAvénue will be interviewed by Traxx Selecta on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 10:00 pm on Malaysia’s national radio station. GruvAvénue’s self-titled debut jazz CD, will be featured on the show and is available at all tower records in Malaysia and selected Rock Corners record shops.

Oct 13 – Homegrown contemporary jazz group GruvAvénue will be showcased on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 10:00pm by Traxx.fm’s “Traxx Selecta,” , The interview, available globally at traxxfm.net, will include original music composed by GruvAvénue band-leader and double bassist Vincent Ong. Smooth, laid back, pop and R&B-inflected, this slick and stylish self-titled album is the new breed of groovy contemporary jazz. The original music here is absolutely enthralling, full of delicate melodies, subtle intricate changes, strong rhythmic sense, vibrant harmonic nuances, and perfected by flawless live playing.

TRAXX SELECTA is a show that concentrates on different genres of music on five-days-week basis. On every Tuesday Traxx Selekta promotes jazz music and emerging jazz artists of all sub-genres. The show is also packed with facts, jazz history, artist info, song info and other related trivia. Jazz fans all over the world can tune in to hear Deejays Jezza & Maya's interviews with local veteran musicians and up-and-coming jazz groups.

GruvAvénue CD was recently reviewed in Malaysia's major newspaper, the star, in which the band was highly recommended. When asked to comment on GruvAvénue 's debut CD, local jazz website, alldatjazz reviewed, “the album is a significant recording of original, smooth jazz compositions by some of the finest young names in Kuala Lumpur’s ever growing jazz circle. the improvisational element is also present and evident through-out with ample helpings of legato saxophone lead, fluid piano and punchy bass lines. This album was definitely worth getting and it left me wanting more of the same. It's only the beginning for this band and let's watch what's forthcoming in future.”

“GruvAvénue” is available at all tower records in Malaysia and selected Rock Corners record shops. For more information or for booking, please visit blackmachine.com.my or email sun@blackmachine.com.my

our cd reviewed by jazz connoisseur

Alright! our music is reviewed by All Dat Jazz 'n' More! The coolest, most updated and comprehensive guide of malaysian jazz scene. Why it's cool? it's strictly independent! so the opinions are not influenced by any sponsor since there's none. Most updated? There's updates every one to three days. Comprehensive guide? You can count on their extensive categories of interviews of who's who, reviews of tis and tat, gig listing for a good night out, and music theory as well. No subsciption fees and registration required. Enough said. Check it out!

friday nite at Avanti

The last september 23, was a milestone in our GruvAvénue record. It was in fact, a night reserved for music, and highlighted our band senza singing! Many Thanks to the supportive management team in Avanti and their patrons. We had audience dancing since the band started. *surprise*. The original tunes from the album GruvAvénue were given makeovers, with new solos and extended plays. There's a few unreleased new originals from the band leader, Vincent. This guy simply amazed us by composing one song after another! Well done! If you're wondering, don't look any further. he's the fella playing the henessy XO bottle-like instrument, commonly known as double bass. Doesn't that look alike? Other songs of the nite included motown hits rock with you which started a la michael jackson, and ventured into the regent of jazz, thanks to shazzy's wonderful lines, while the crowd was dancing.

The lucky winner of our Jazz Selekta - GruvAvénue cd giveaway contest, Hui Ling was here with her youthful parents. i hope they had a great time. For any parents who have doubts whether to send your children for tertiary music education, please come to our shows some time, hopefully these would give you all some ideas of what performance is about, and help you making the right (or wrong?!) decisions. Local celebrities who graced our show included the very (extremely!) tall and handsome JFK and deejay Burn. They popped by during their intermission of a beauty contest around. Now, please don't get me wrong! They're not the contestants! they're the judges! Practically everyone hot-blooded male's dream job! Veteran entertainer Mr. Sharizan Borhan was in the house as well, so we took the chance and requested him to join us and performed a marvellous rendition of come fly with me. Other netizens and local jazz activists who're present were jazz critics Eugene from alldatjazz.com and his protege, the charming Brian.

Definitely the best is yet to come. and i'll keep you close.

GruvAvénue on air!

GruvAvénue is on air at 106.3 The Breeze in Australia!

106.3 the Breeze is the newest, smoothest and most relaxing terrestrial radio station in Tropical North Queensland. A radio station that truly reflects the Port Douglas lifestyle. Featuring a unique blend of contemporary Smooth Jazz and soft vocals, The Breeze is unlike any other station on the FM dial. The LISTEN LIVE section will be available worldwide to all listeners soon. Listen, relax, and escape with the all new sound of Today's Smooth Jazz. Port Douglas is the closest gateway to the famous Australian wonders - the Great Barrier Reef. The tranquil waters of this harbour embrace a lively marina and a breathtaking sandy sweep of beautiful Beach.

Stay tuned for MORE UPDATES!

wedding bells are ringing ...

Sept 24 marked one of the pivot point in Charles' life. Our little-drummer-boy is finally unavailable from this moment on. Their church ceremony was done one week prior to this in Kota Kinabalu, with all the blessings from their respective families. While the dinner reception was held in KL for the bride's relatives and friends, and bunches of us - the friends! Since this accomplished drummer had a more significant role here as the groom, he's given relief not to play the march-in number, thus we had this unique line-up fit for this occasion.

Taaa... dah! i present you the most DIY wedding entertainers with AJ on drums, the groom on micking, clement on keyboard, vincent on slapping the electric bass, Julian on sax, and Eddie, the most hilarious cantonese master of ceremony, anticipating his maiden voyage!The guys perfecting the march-in song during rehearsal! Grooming session took place shortly after this, and proceeded by beer sessions! Strictly lepak!

On behalf of GruvAvénue, i wish you guys, Charles and Judy : "Happy Married Life" and lots of cute babies on the way!