Jimmy Boyle had always been proud of being a Malaysian and through his music he had hoped to perpetuate the soul and spirit of his country and it’s people.Ī national song on the Rukunegara is one of several unpublished works left behind by Jimmy. (Taken from New Straits Times – 11 May 71)Īmong his notable compositions were: “Putera Puteri”, “Ingat Ingat”, “Jauh Jauh”, “Rayuan Mesra”, or “Melody Of Love”, “Api Dan Air”, “Bunga Negara”, “Megah Rasa”, “Chendering”, “Tepi Pantai”, “Berdendang Ria”, “Sang Bayu”, “Ke-Hulu Ke-Hilir”, “Pantun Melayu”, “Gemaran Bulan”, “Bertugas”, and “Sungai Pahang”. The “Negara Ku” was not ready yet and when the first Malaysian flag was raised it was to one of Jimmy’s tunes. His proudest moment came on 31 August 1957 when Merdeka was proclaimed at Kuala Lumpur. He composed the first Malaysian Jamboree song “Kemegahan Negara Ku” which was played at midnight on the birth of Malaysia in 1963. He was also a judge of Malaysian Tune Writing and Radio Singing Contests since 1958. International jazz musicians like Charles Lloyd and Jack Teagarden (who played his songs) rated him highly.įor 25 of his 49 years Jimmy composed, arranged, played and recorded his music for National and State functions, for radio and television, for schools and associations and night-clubs. His compositions and piano playing have been beamed throughout the world by the BBC and Voice Of America and commented favourably by top jazz critics like Jerry Muchigan. University USA and “Kansas City University Brass Ensemble”. He was accepted as a Malaysian Composer and Arranger for the “Classical Saxaphone Quartet” of N.W. He was a well-known Malaysian Jazz musician who developed his own style. Xaviers Instituton where he returned as a teacher after graduating from the Raffles College in Singapore. Jimmy Boyle was born in Penang and educated at St. With this, nobody springs to mind first but one person – Jimmy Boyle, the late Jimmy Boyle. – their roles, their achievements and their contribution to the music industry. With all due respect to all the other musicians of Penang, this paper focuses and highlights the Eurasian musicians, singers and composers. Whatever it may be, Penang has always had a reputation of producing many of the finest musicians, singers and composers in the country. Unfortunately Zainal Alam is not around to give his views on the “wonders” of Nasi Kandar maybe it’s the Nasi Kandar that enhances our vocal cords – check with David & Loga of the Alley Cats or Kathleen Rodrigues and Colleen Read on their diet.maybe it’s the peace and tranquillity of the island that gives inspiration to our composers and musicians to write and play beautiful music.maybe it’s the surrounding sea air that we breathe – islanders have always been known to be musically endowed.maybe it’s the genes of the Penangite – it’s a known fact that if you are a good musician you would most probably have come from Penang.Ramlee, Ooi Eow Jin and the late Jimmy Boyle to the new breed of stars like the Alley Cats. Penang has always boasted a long list of music greats from the late Tan Sri P. Whether we are actively pursuing a career in music or are simply music lovers it is unimaginable to live a life without music. Music, like the very air we breathe is an integral part of our lives and society.