Wandly Yazid

Infobox Person
name = Wandly Yazid


caption = Wandly Yazid receiving the COMPASS Meritorious Award 2001 from Brother McNally.
birth_date = 24 February 1925
birth_place = Suliki, West Sumatra
death_date = 5 August 2005
death_place = Singapore
occupation = Composer

Hj Wandly Yazid (24 February 1925 – 5 August 2005) was a musician, composer and arranger for Malay film music in the 40’s to the 60’s. He is renowned for composing "Gurindam Jiwa", the theme song for the classic film of the same name. Fondly remembered as Pak Wandly, he is highly regarded for his contribution to the film and music industry in Singapore and Malaysia.

Background

Wandly Yazid was born on 24 February 1925 in Suliki, West Sumatra, Indonesia into a family of educators. He was educated in Dutch primary and high schools, and graduated from the Teachers Training Institute, West Sumatra.

Music

Introduced to music during his primary school days, it was only when he was a schoolteacher at 17 that he decided to study music. He learnt the violin and clarinet under teachers Pak Hamid and Mr I Bree, and the piano, as well as watercolour and oil painting under Mr Wadiki, in Bukittinggi.

In 1947, this Minangkabau lad came to Singapore, where the Malay film industry was thriving. Here, he studied piano arrangement under Mr Concordio Soliano, violin under Mr Raquiza and Mr Paul Soliano, and saxophone and clarinet under Mr Paul Martinez.

Achievements

Able to play the piano, violin, clarinet and saxophone, and write music scores, he formed the Wandy Yazid Orchestra, Wandy Five and the Megawati Orchestra (with The Radio Malaya) in 1952. He composed music for films like "Angin Berpesan" and "Pacar Putih", by the Nusantara Film Company, and the award-winning "Hassan's Homecoming" by the Malayan Film Unit. He was also a violinist and member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Wandly founded the Fajar Record Company in 1959, where he composed and arranged songs, and accompanied singers like Julie Sudiro, Orchid Abdullah and Rosiah Chik. He also trained those who later became successful including Ernie Djohan and Rafeah Buang.

In 1964, he was appointed Music Director of Cathay-Keris Films (see Cathay Organisation), at the age of 39. He composed and arranged songs and background music for many classic films, and was renowned for "Gurindam Jiwa", the lovely theme song for a romantic film of the same name. Originally sung by R. Ismail and Rafeah Buang, with lyrics by Hamzah Hussein, the song remains an evergreen favourite for many until today. He also composed and arranged music for other classic films like "Hang Jebat", "Jalak Lenteng", "Lancang Kuning", "Panglima Besi", "Kasih Ibu", "Naga di Tasik Cini" and many others.

A prolific and versatile composer, he also composed and arranged songs and background music for television programmes like "Pesta Pop", as well as radio programmes. A violinist and member of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Orchestra, he then formed his own band, Café Vienna Trio, with Mr Ahmad Jarr and Mr Ahmad Sahab, playing classical and commercial music. He also gave solo piano performances at major hotel establishments.

Later life

Retiring in 1992, he continued to perform, and taught music to the young. Not only was he a musician, but an artist. His watercolour paintings were exhibited at:

* 2001: "Contemporary 2001", by Association of Artists of Various Resources (APAD), Singapore Calligraphy Centre
* 2005: "Lakaran Warisan", by "Taman Warisan Melayu" (Malay Heritage Centre)

He died on 5 Aug 2005 at his Aljunied Crescent home. He leaves behind his wife, Hjh Iswanar Wahid, and five children – three of whom hold a masters degree, one is a university graduate, and the last is pursuing a bachelors degree.

Awards & recognition

* 1953: "Award for Best Documentary", by Malayan Film Unit for "Hassan’s Homecoming". Highly commended background music by Wandly Yazid.
* 2001: "Jasawan Agung Minang (Meritorious Minang Award)," by "Persatuan Minangkabau Singapura" or Singapore Minangkabau Association (SMA).
* 2001: "COMPASS Meritorious Award", by Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS).
* 2002: "7 Magnificent Composers (7 Tokoh Muzik)," published by Association of Malay Singers, Composers and Professional Musicians (PERKAMUS). Recognition of outstanding composers Wandly Yazid, Zubir Said, Osman Ahmad, Yusoff B., Ahmad Jaafar, P. Ramlee and Kassim Masdor.
* 2003: "Simfoni Layar Perak", a concert by MediaCorp, held at Esplanade, Singapore. Due recognition to renowned composers and music arrangers of Malay film and music from the 1940s to 1960s, including Wandly Yazid, Yusoff B., Zubir Said, Osman Ahmad, P. Ramlee and S. Sudarmaji.
* 2005: "Dendang Temasek (Melodies of Temasek)", published by PERKAMUS. Compilation of essays on traditional Malay music with special mention of Wandly Yazid and his songs.
* 2006: "Persembahan Muzik 7 Lagenda (Remembering the 7 Magnificent Composers)", performed by the Pentatronics, a 4-piece group, held at Library@Espalanade, Singapore as a tribute to the legendary seven.

Membership

Hj Wandly Yazid was a member of COMPASS; PERKAMUS; APAD; "Niniek Mamak" (Council of Advisors), SMA; and National Arts Council (NAC).

References

* Hartinah Ahmad and Kamali Hudi (2002). "7 Magnificent Composers (7 Tokoh Muzik)". Singapore: PERKAMUS. ISBN 981-04-7635-3
* Mohd Raman Daud, editor (2005). "Dendang Temasek (Melodies of Temasek)". Singapore: PERKAMUS. ISBN 981-05-3951-7

ee also

* Malays in Singapore
* Cinema of Singapore
* Cinema of Malaysia