This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on May 18, 2016.

WHILE his distinguished standing in the Malaysian jazz scene is undisputable, Michael Veerapen’s status as a composer is considerably low profile. In fact, the veteran musician is a prolific composer, which audiences will be able to witness and enjoy at his upcoming gig at Alexis Bistro Ampang, where he will be staging a repertoire of solely original works with his eponymously named trio.

Perhaps unusual for one of the best jazz pianist in the region, Veerapen has only ever released one studio album, back in 1995. Yet those familiar with the lanky musician and his calm presence would attest that it is not at all surprising. Meeting over lunch one afternoon at Decanter, Bukit Damansara, he provides some insight into the composing side of his work.

“I actually did it for my father,” says Veerapen of his album. “My father loved my playing, and with the album he could hear me play when I’m not performing live.” The pianist has credited his parents for their instrumental support in his career, with the story of his father enrolling him in Berklee College of Music back in the late ‘70s.   

Personally, he is less keen on going into a studio with his own works. “Some like to put themselves into an album. I guess I just didn’t have the time,” he contemplates. “And doing an album is very hard … you have to be able to commit to being able to say ‘Okay, that’s it’.”

That is the biggest obstacle for Veerapen, who admits that he doesn’t like the idea of a finite touch in his work. “Because I think I am going to be different tomorrow.”  That is why he loves playing music live, where there is no opportunity for retakes. “It’s today, it’s now. And the challenge is to execute excellence in one go.”

Veerapen is also candid that he sees no reason why he should put out more albums. “For me, my jazz is for me. I get as much pleasure practising at home, and knowing that I can do it, is satisfying enough for me,” he states. The pianist also prefers intimate club gigs than say, festivals or big concerts. “My music is not the ‘shouting’ type, and you have to shout to grab attention in a big crowd,” he adds.

He smiles at the mention of how antithetical that notion is for a performer in a creative industry. “It’s true. But to enjoy what I do, and to want to do my best, that’s basically what makes me tick,” Veerapen points out. Open about his Christian faith, Veerapen says that his music is secondary to his faith. “I take my measure from how well I’m serving God. Music only makes sense to me because it was a gift given to me. So I have to do well with it,” he emphasises.

On that note, Veerapen points out that the trio will be performing new compositions this weekend, mostly composed to fit the capabilities and styles of guitarist Daniel Foong, and drummer Steve Nanda. “They are songs of me now. Maybe just one or two from the past, but done with a new angle. These are songs probably composed from just last year alone,” says the pianist.

Where he is blasé about the idea of recognition and career ambition, Veerapen is correspondingly passionate about growing as a musician. It is common to find him playing second fiddle to a young singer, or collaborating with unknown musicians. Foong and Nanda are two young musicians who Veerapen has come to regularly play with as part of a trio. “They are the hottest musicians in town right now, and they’ve been playing with me for five to six years. They are hugely gifted, and it’s because they can do these amazing things that makes me want to write! That process is very energising, I enjoy them,” says Veerapen.

Giving an analogy of wanting apples where there are none, he says the next best thing is to plant apple trees. And it is widely acknowledged in the Malaysian jazz scene that Veerapen is a generous musician. Choosing to return home right after his final class in Berklee, Veerapen has been instrumental in imparting and raising the professional standards and music literacy of a generation of Malaysian musicians, alongside some of his contemporaries.

“If I want to play with the kind of musicians whom I want to play with, then I have to grow them. You reap what you sow, that’s the divine principle,” he shrugs matter-of-factly. Veerapen says the best legacy that has continued for Malaysian jazz has been the culture of unity and community built over the years.

“I think the younger musicians have shown me what I’ve always believed in — that we have a breed of professionally qualified and gifted talents. I want to see it grow that way,” sums Veerapen. And he’s not resting on his laurels, currently pursuing a PhD in music at Universiti Sains Malaysia for the next three years, he admits never being satisfied. “My goal is always to be better next year than I am this year. And I think I’ve achieved that. That’s why writing music challenges me. It challenges my fluency. I don’t want to be stagnant.”

The Michael Veerapen Trio — Originals showcase will be held at Alexis Bistro Ampang on Friday and Saturday at 10pm. Cover charge is RM10. To book ahead, call (03) 4260 2288.