Interview by William Chan
Chan Hon Chong, a seasoned jazz guitarist with nearly two decades of experience in Macau’s music scene, has recently talked to the Post in an exclusive interview about his upcoming album.
Chan is recognised for his contributions to jazz as both a performer and a composer, performing regularly in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). He graduated from the Collective School of Music in New York and Beijing Contemporary Music Academy. Chan has graced prestigious events, including the Macau International Music Festival and numerous jazz festivals worldwide.
In 2019, Chan recorded his debut album “Travelling Coffee” in New York, which was released the following year. Since 2020, he has been developing his second album, collaborating with Brazilian Grammy-awarded guitarist and producer Ricardo Vogt*, who resides in Zhongshan.
The upcoming album, titled “The River of Inspiration” (川), reflects a more extended creative process. Chan said, “Most of ‘The River of Inspiration’ compositions I have written over a long period. In contrast to the improvisation-heavy style of my first album, which took only a couple of days to complete, the preparation and recording of this new album took two years from start to finish.”
He expressed his gratitude for Vogt’s meticulous efforts, noting, “Initially, I had a manuscript and general concept for my music, including chord changes, melodies, and rhythms. I discussed my ideas with Ricardo, who provided valuable advice on introducing the songs, instrumentation, and musician selection.”
Thanks to Vogt’s extensive experience and connections, the album features a talented roster of musicians, which pleasantly surprised Chan. The lineup includes Mike Tucker on tenor sax, Scott Thompson on bass, Nick Milo on piano, Rich Stitzel on drums, Ailton Moreira on percussion, the Moscow Studio Orchestra on strings, and Rafael Rocha for string arrangements.
One of Vogt’s notable contributions is the reimagined version of his piece “The Traveling Coffee,” featuring a string orchestra. He expressed satisfaction with the result, emphasising the enriching impact of this new arrangement, with a heavy classical theme.
Another highlight on the album is “Art Garden,” inspired by the local venue “Macau Art Garden,” where Chan often collaborates with other musicians. He shared, “The venue’s owner was kind enough to allow us to use the space for our recording session. The piece was created during that session and named in gratitude.”
Additionally, Chan underlined that his album will be released in April on phonograph record. He acknowledged that while vinyl is pricier and requires a turntable, it offers superior sound quality and distinctiveness that sets it apart from digital formats like CDs and streaming services.
Chan also expressed appreciation for local artists Kent Leong and Humphrey Cheong, who assisted with design, typesetting, and the equipment used during recording sessions. Reflecting on his time in New York, he noted, “Most musicians publish their own records. For me, it’s not only worthwhile but essential for any developing musician. Releasing an album acts like a business card, allowing others to understand my musical identity, particularly amidst the diversity of my gigs in pop, rock, and jazz.”
*Ricardo Vogt’s introduction on National Immigration Administration website: en.nia.gov.cn/n147428/n147508/c159824/content.html
Undated handout photo of the honograph record cover of Chan’s album “The River of Inspiration”, designed by Kent Leong
Chan Hon Chong (right) plays guitar with his producer Ricardo Vogt during the making of his album in 2023. – All photos provided by Chan
