Singapore's biggest jazz club notches 300 musicians

JAZZ might typically be considered a niche music genre but the growth of the Thomson Jazz Club (TJC) has proved otherwise. From just 10 players when founder Eddie Chan started it two decades ago, it has now grown to 300, making it Singapore's biggest community of jazz lovers.

Based out of Thomson Community Club, it's made up of both professional and amateur musicians who form the two acts - Thomson Big Band and Thomson Swing Band - under the club. Mr Chan says anybody living in Singapore can join TJC so its members not only hail from every part of the island but also include expatriates. Rehearsals take place every Sunday and public jam sessions are organised on alternate weeks to encourage fellow enthusiasts to explore their love of the genre.

Over the years, TJC has grown to become a local jazz institution and built a loyal following through regular public and private performances. Mr Chan, who is a retired architect and owner of the popular but now-defunct jazz club Southbridge Jazz@7atenine, says its annual big band bash at the Botanic Gardens attracts a crowd of 5,000 and TJC has played in international jazz festivals in Japan, India, Australia and more.