Classically-trained violinist Ken Lee recently released his first album which he titled Samurai. A move which got many asking, what has a Japanese Samurai got to do with classical violin music?
The musician who hails from Johor Baru said that he may be a soft-spoken fellow yet he is every bit as single-minded and steadfast as a Samurai when it comes to pursuing his calling in life.
“I love Japanese culture and I feel that their music is full of soul. I also admire the fighting spirit of the Japanese Samurai. So, I incorporated these elements in my music,” he explained.
Samurai is an album comprising nine songs with thematic titles like Comrade, Edo Night, Samurai, Sakura No Mori, Maiko, Searching, Chromatic Combat, Glorious Fight and Fall.
Tragic tale of vendetta
Lee spoke of how each song is a different chapter in a story that revolves around a historical event in 18th-century Japan that is referred to variously as the Ako Incident or 47 Ronin.
Briefly, it is a planned act of vendetta perpetrated by a group of 47 ronin out to avenge the death of their leader. (The Japanese word “ronin” is generally a term of dishonour which refers to a samurai who has lost his master.)
The tragic tale of vendetta was so legendary that it has become a recurring theme in Japanese art, literature, theatre, cinema and other cultural works.
In fact, the tale even made its way into the West with a 2013 Hollywood movie titled 47 Ronin, which starred Keanu Reeves.
Lee has been promoting his album with live performances of selected pieces such as Chromatic Combat. “It was inspired by the works of a Russian composer who employs a lot of chromatic scale, which we combined with the Turkish March and played in the vein of J-Rock.
“It is sort of a medley piece with a J-Rock feel. There is a sort of Disney feel that is very much in line with Mint G’s style,” shared Lee, who is thankful to his producer Mint G, who spared no expense in the production of the album.
The music was arranged in China while the mastering was done in South Korea. The music video was shot in Japan.
Ken Lee started playing the violin when he was in high school.
Lifelong study of music
Lee, who is in his 30s, said he does not remember what brought about his love for the violin. Only that he has not been able to put it down since he started playing the instrument at 13.
“I was in high school when I started to play the violin. I picked it up quite easily, and found it a lot of fun. And, I quickly realised that I was actually quite good at it,” said Lee, who holds a degree in classical violin performance.
His love for violin led to a lifelong study of music.
But, like many other Asian families, his parents initially voiced concerns about the challenges of making a living as a musician.
“I consider myself very fortunate in this aspect. Since I am not the eldest child, I could choose to pursue my own interests. So, my parents have been largely very supportive of my career choice,” said the full-time musician, who co-founded the Fiddle Music Center in Johor Baru.
Lee graduated from UCSI University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Violin Performance in 2009.
Four years later, he gave his first contemporary violin concert Utmost Love – The Violin.
Apart from playing in the RTM Orchestra, Lee has been invited to play at the Istana Negara. He has also performed in Bangkok with Thai royalty in the audience.
In line with his pop-rock interests, Lee has performed alongside local artistes like Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Shila Amzah, Yuna, Datuk Sheila Majid, Jamal Abdillah and rock band Wings.
Among the international acts he has worked with are Chinese composer/singer Liu Jia Chang, Hong Kong singer-actor Jordan Chan and Canadian-born Hong Kong singer-actress Joyce Cheng (daughter of late Hong Kong comedian Lydia Shum and singer/actor Adam Cheng).
Next, Lee hopes to be able to work with local singer-songwriter Namewee.
