Singaporean switches banking studies for music; debut album on US jazz chart

Home-grown jazz saxophone player Sean Hong Wei is the 15th guest in this music channel.

Synopsis (headphones recommended): The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio.

In the 15th episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts Singaporean jazz saxophone player Sean Hong Wei.

The 25-year-old marked a milestone when his debut album The New Jersey Sessions - a collaboration with his mentor and home-grown jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro - reached the Top 20 of the chart of American publication JazzWeek in July, 2024. The chart ranks releases based on airplay reports submitted by radio stations.

The album had earlier gone to No. 1 on the overall chart and jazz chart on iTunes Singapore within two days of its release on Jan 1.

The former banking and finance student is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in music at The New School, New York. He also plays regular shows in the city’s vibrant jazz scene, where he meets and learns from seasoned veterans.

He shares his experiences of touring in Asia, including recent performances in Shanghai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Sean discusses his plans to return to Singapore after completing his studies to contribute to the local jazz scene.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:57 On his album charting in the US jazz charts

4:13 On how his Singaporean background is not a barrier in the close-knit New York jazz scene

7:55 His experiences of touring, including recent gigs in Shanghai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

15:25 Getting into the saxophone, and jazz music, in secondary school

18:15 Dropping out of banking and finance studies and switching to music

25:56 Paying $1 for his saxophone, which is now worth $8,000

28:10 His future plans to help the local jazz scene grow

Watch Sean Hong Wei's rendition of Body And Soul, a 1930 jazz standard composed by American songwriter Johnny Green: https://str.sg/nArc

Discover home-grown artiste Sean Hong Wei at: