Local jazz saxophonist and flautist Lam Chak Seng, based in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), has recently released his debut jazz album titled “Steps Forward”. To celebrate the album’s release, Lam’s quartet embarked on an album tour, performing a total of eight concerts across the Greater Bay Area earlier this month.
Kicking off the tour with a performance at Sifang Art Space on Avenida do Almirante Lacerda on March 15, Lam’s quartet continued their musical journey with concerts in Zhuhai, three concerts in Guangzhou, two concerts in Shenzhen, and concluded with a finale in Hong Kong on Sunday.
The Post published an interview with Lam on March 13.
Appraisal by K. von Waldenblatt
K. von Waldenblatt is a musician and art curator from Hong Kong who attended the concert.
Review:
Lam Chak Seng’s recent concert at the intimate Sifang Art Space was an extraordinary and significant moment for the cultural scene in Macau. As one of the finest Chinese jazz musicians of our time, Lam shared his deeply personal stories with authenticity and individual flair, creating a truly memorable experience for those fortunate enough to attend.
I first met Lam in 2017 when he temporarily paused his studies in the Netherlands. During that period, he was disenchanted and lacked motivation, contemplating a departure from jazz music. It was easy to understand his struggles with the soulless grind of music academia. Lam eventually made the courageous decision to step back and re-evaluate his aspirations, honestly questioning himself whether he should continue to pursue his music journey. I was deeply impressed by this young musician’s conscientiousness — a significant step forward as a result of stepping back and reflecting on himself.
Lam’s accomplishments in music are not only a source of pride for himself but for Macau as a whole. To have nurtured a local Chinese jazz musician of world-class calibre is a testament to Macau’s cultural heritage. Lam combines meticulous skill, daring creativity, unpretentious taste, captivating storytelling, youthful energy, tender sensitivity, prolific musicality and seasoned stage presence. His album and the accompanying concert serve as powerful evidence of his artistry.
However, it is disheartening to note that, like several exceptional talents born in Macau in the past, Lam has not received the widespread promotion and opportunities he deserves within his hometown. Despite local associations claiming to promote jazz music with government support, Lam remains largely unknown and has rarely graced Macau’s concerts and music festivals. Lam’s album “Steps Forward” represents world-class original jazz music, performed and produced by a world-class musician who hails from Macau and performed it personally for his hometown. It is crucial that Macau’s cultural consciousness firmly recognises and celebrates Lam’s achievements, as failing to do so would be a tragic loss for the present and future development of musical arts in Macau. In this regard, Sifang Art Space deserves immense appreciation and praise for their invaluable contribution to the promotion of serious musical arts in Macau.
Lam’s quartet performs at the JZ Club in Guangzhou earlier this month.
Lam Chak Seng’s quartet performs at Sifang Art Space on Avenida do Almirante Lacerda on March 15.
Lam’s quartet performs at the Golden Jazz venue in Zhuhai.
Lam’s group performs in a bar in Shenzhen.
Lam’s quartet performs in Hong Kong last Sunday.
All photos provided by Lam
