Artist Spotlight: Jeremy Monteiro
The Sound of Singapore, In Jazz
To speak about jazz in Singapore without mentioning Jeremy Monteiro is, quite simply, impossible.
Dubbed “Singapore’s King of Swing”, Jeremy Monteiro is a jazz pianist, composer, producer, writer, and cultural leader whose career has shaped not only how jazz sounds in Singapore, but how it is understood, nurtured, and shared with the world. For over four decades, he has stood at the intersection of artistry and advocacy—bringing Singapore jazz onto international stages while building platforms at home for future generations.
At Lion City Jazz Festival 2026, Monteiro appears not just as a performer, but as a central artistic voice across the festival’s key moments—from Singaporeana to the Finale Concert, and as host of one of the festival’s most intimate conversations.
A Pioneer on the World Stage
Jeremy Monteiro’s international breakthrough came in 1988, when he became the first Southeast Asian musician to perform and lead a band on the main stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival, appearing with Monteiro, Young & Holt and Friends. It was a landmark moment—placing Singapore firmly on the global jazz map.
His career began earlier, in 1976, before he rose to prominence as pianist and bandleader at Singapore’s famed B Club 392 in 1977. Over the decades, he has performed and recorded with a remarkable roster of jazz legends, including James Moody, Benny Golson, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Herbie Mann, Charlie Haden, and many others.
He remains the only Southeast Asian jazz musician to release an album on the iconic Verve label—Jeremy Monteiro & Alberto Marsico: Jazz-Blues Brothers—a testament to both his artistry and international standing.
Recording, Writing, and Storytelling
As a recording artist, Monteiro has released more than 45 albums as a leader, with works ranging from Brazilian Dreams and With a Little Help from My Friends to Live at No Black Tie – Kuala Lumpur, which reached the Top 20 on the Jazzweek charts in the United States.
His creative output extends beyond music. In 2018, he published Jeremy Monteiro: Late-Night Thoughts of a Jazz Musician, a collection of essays that earned recognition at the Golden Door Awards and the Rex Karmaveer Awards for integrity in writing. Across both mediums, his voice is reflective, articulate, and deeply rooted in lived experience.
Building the Ecosystem
Monteiro’s impact goes far beyond performance. He is a co-founder of the Composers & Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) and currently serves as Chairman of its Board—advocating for the protection and sustainability of music creators’ rights.
In 2016, together with like-minded collaborators, he co-founded the Jazz Association Singapore (JASS), laying the foundation for long-term jazz development in Singapore. The Lion City Jazz Festival stands as one of its flagship initiatives—bringing mentorship, education, and performance together under one vision.
His contributions have been recognised at the highest level, including the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s pinnacle arts award.
Singaporeana: Our Sound, Our Stories
Jeremy Monteiro’s artistic philosophy finds a natural home in Singaporeana, one of the signature concerts of LCJF 2026.
Singaporeana – Our Sound, Our Stories
https://www.lioncityjazz.com/singaporeana
Rooted in jazz but expansive in spirit, Singaporeana brings together artists from across genres and traditions—soul, pop, Indian classical, Malay music, and contemporary songwriting—to reflect the layered identity of Singapore.
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2026
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium, Level 9
Tickets:
Cat 1: $50
Cat 2: $35
Featuring Sezairi, Joanna Dong, Alemay Fernandez, weish, Dru Chen, Sushma Soma, Tim De Cotta, Namie Rasman, Tan Weixiang, and Jeremy Monteiro, the concert is directed by Chok Kerong and serves as a living portrait of Singapore’s musical voice.
The Finale: Looking Back, Moving Forward
Monteiro also takes the stage at the festival’s culminating moment:
Finale Concert – The Brecker Brothers & Beyond
https://www.lioncityjazz.com/finale-concert-the-music-of-the-brecker-brothers
Led by Randy Brecker and Ada Rovatti, the Finale Concert brings together an international ensemble curated under the JASSYO! banner—honouring the Brecker Brothers’ legacy while reimagining it through today’s voices.
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2026
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Venue: Gateway Theatre, Singapore
Hosting the Conversation
Beyond the stage, Monteiro hosts one of LCJF 2026’s most personal sessions:
A Fireside Chat with Randy Brecker & Ada Rovatti (US)
https://www.lioncityjazz.com/trumpet-mastery-by-tom-walsh-uk
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2026
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Venue: Gateway Theatre, Blackbox L8
Tickets: $15
Designed as an open conversation rather than a lecture, the session reflects Monteiro’s role as connector—bridging generations, stories, and shared musical wisdom.
A Living Thread
Jeremy Monteiro’s presence at Lion City Jazz Festival 2026 is not symbolic—it is structural. He is the living thread that connects past to present, local to global, performance to purpose.
Through music, writing, advocacy, and leadership, he continues to bring jazz to all corners of Singapore—and Singapore jazz to the world.
Plan Your Festival Experience
Festival Calendar: https://www.lioncityjazz.com/schedule
All Tickets: https://www.lioncityjazz.com/tickets
