Drum Choreographers (NDP 09)

- Syed Ahmad - Dennis Sim - Riduan Zalani -

Syed Ahmad

Founder, indie music director, songsmith, composer and teacher… these are some of the words used to describe Syed Ahmad, an all rounded multi-instrumentalist who has been in the music scene for 20 years.

Syed Ahmad has done music direction, compositions, produced and performed original soundtracks accompanying movies and various genres of television programmes. Some of his works include a popular soundtrack for romantic local movie, Chicken Rice War, theme songs for well-known Malay programmes such as Tahu Nahu and Kpak Bing! Bing!. As a Music Director, he worked on local telemovie Dirty Laundry, variety programmes Pesta! Pesta! Pesta! 2008, 70an Gerek, children’s animated series Cerita Kita for Suria channel and children’s educational VCD, Superclassroom Bersama Uncle Jip.

A champion of local music, Syed Ahmad is one half of Singapore’s indie legends, The Stoned Revivals. With number one hit songs under his belt, Syed also drums and writes for eccentric group, Tiramisu. His latest brainchild is Bloco Singapura, a 100 (and growing) strong percussion ensemble and samba school, a first in Singapore.

With constant new mixes of rhythms and sounds in mind, Syed Ahmad found his calling in teaching percussions to students in various programmes and is a name well-known amongst schools. He also collaborates with Najip Ali’s educational arm, Mini Monsters, to bring music and percussion to young children. 

In January 2009, Syed Ahmad headed to Brazil for an ethnomusicology research and music workshops. There he was under the tutelage of various percussion masters, visited renowned samba schools, afro blocos and maracatu naçãoes(nations) and had the opportunity to meet with Brazilian music legend, Joao Donato, Silvia Machete and Maninho Costa.

After which, Syed Ahmad headed to Berlin under the personal invitation of master drummer and teacher Dudu Tucci, to undergo an intensive Brazilian Conga workshop and participate in the annual Afoxe Loni Parade.

Syed Ahmad had the opportunity to perform with 5 times Rio Carnaval champions, Escola de Samba Beija-Flor de Nilopolis, making him possibly the only Singaporean to have done so. Syed Ahmad also had performed alongside Dudu Tucci, Trilok Gurtu, Chico Cesar, Billy Cobham and the Dhol Foundation.

Most recently, Syed Ahmad was appointed as conductor and choreographer of a 200 strong bateria (Brazilian percussion ensemble) by the National Day Parade 2009 & Singapore Drum Fest. He will also be choreographing and leading a bateria for Chingay 2010 and begins lecturing in Lasalle College of the Arts in August 2009.