Jeremy Monteiro: From jingles to jazz magic

The local jazz legend opens up to Weekender about his journey, from jingles to national songs to jazz on the world stage

Jeremy (left) recently performed in “To Paris With Love”, a tribute concert to Michel Legrand, with fellow jazz musician Eugene Pao (right).

To his slightly younger fans, Jeremy Monteiro is the master of feel-good jazz tunes that warm the heart and soul.

Nonetheless, older fans may recall a time in the 1980s when Jeremy was known as “The Jingle Man”. With catchy singsong commercials for big brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Cadbury, his portfolio sings to the tune of some 500 jingles in all.

Despite his impressive commercial accomplishments, Jeremy decided to give up jingle-writing in 1991 to focus on a jazz career. Though there was much uncertainty in the future at the time, many would later say it was the right move.

Jeremy, who shot to international fame with his 1988 performance at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, had talent too large to ignore. Besides being a jazz maestro, he also had a hand in writing our national songs “We Are Singapore” (1987) and “One People, One Nation, One Singapore” (1990).

Last Friday, Jeremy took to the stage with Hong Kong jazz guitarist Eugene Pao, a long-time friend and musical collaborator.

Held at the Victoria Concert Hall, “To Paris with Love” was a tribute to legendary French composer Michel Legrand.
I spoke to Jeremy about his move from jingles to jazz, and life beyond making music.

Apart from “To Paris With Love”, what have you been busy with?

I was busy rehearsing with the Southbank Sinfonia Orchestra in London for our performance in Hong Kong [on Sep 22]. I’ve also been practicing with Italian organist Alberto Marsico and the Jazz-Blues Brothers for our performance at the EFG London Jazz Festival on Nov 18.

How have you personally been inspired by Michel Legrand?

I grew up with the music of Michel Legrand as my Dad had his albums… Legrand’s style and sound is part of my musical psyche and this has been so for many years.

Would you ever write jingles again?

I stopped doing jingles in 1991… Doing that kind of work was killing my creative spirit… I did one or two in the couple of years after that for friends who virtually begged me. After that, I told myself I was done.

I have no intention of going back and haven’t in the past 23 years.

Writing more national songs and movie scores are not included. If I get offers to do those, I would.

What’s in your playlist now?

Tommy Flanagan’s album, “The Jazz Poet”. Various tracks from Cannonball Adderley (and his brother Nat). Random stuff while surfing Spotify. I have quite random listening habits, but I listen to all genres.

I’ve also been listening to a lot more orchestral classical pieces lately to try and learn orchestration techniques.

Which is your favourite city to play in? Why?

I have come to love performing in Bangkok, Germany and London because the audiences are very responsive and appreciative of me in those places.

I also really love performing at home because the home audience now shows nothing but love and appreciation for
my work.

What Singapore food do you like to indulge in?

After a long trip, I head to my neighbourhood hawker centre and wallop a plate of char kway teow.

Other than that, my two favourite restaurants in Singapore are Samy’s Curry and Rendezvous Nasi Padang. For Western food, it’s a hard fight between Sky on 57 and Iggy’s.

Jeremy has enraptured audiences around the world with his feel-good jazz tunes.

Has this SG50 year been busy for you?

My work in the first nine months of this year is equivalent in intensity and quantity to everything I have done in 2013 and 2014 combined.

I snatch two- to three-day breaks when I am in Europe. Just before starting my work in London last week, I went for a quiet weekend trip to Oxford.

I usually will visit an old European city like Heidelberg during my work trips to Europe and chill there for three or four days.

When I’m in Singapore, I try to have days where I just vegetate. I have to grab my rest and recreation where I can… I listen to my body and don’t allow myself to be burnt out but I also love my work so it doesn’t really feel like work, unless I get physically tired.

What advice would you give to Singaporeans who’re considering entering the music industry?

I would say, “Don’t do it!” Hahahaha! But if you insist on still doing it and if you are talented, I would do what I can to encourage you and use whatever small influence I have to get people to support you.

What upcoming projects can fans see you in?

The next big one is my 11th Jazzy Christmas Concert at the Esplanade on Dec 18, “Frankly, It’s Christmas”. It will commemorate the late jazz singer Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday.

By Pamela Chow

Jeremy Monteiro performed in “To Paris With Love” at the Victoria Concert Hall last Friday. Look out for his 11th Jazzy Christmas Concert at The Esplanade on Dec 18.