Arthur Kam is next!
Who’s next on the drum clinic roster? Arthur Kam, of course!
Let’s get to know him a bit better.
Arthur Kam has been drumming since his parents discovered his talent at 6. At 11, Arthur passed his Grade 8 (Pro Zone) drum exam (equivalent to a performer’s certificate) with distinction under the Rockschool Examination Board, validated by Trinity College, London. He was the first and youngest candidate to sit for this professional exam since its introduction in Malaysia. He breezed through Grade 1 to Grade 8 in a record time of only six months! His score remains the highest ever since its inception in the country in 1996.
In 2003, his achievements got him into the Malaysia Book Of Records as ‘’THE YOUNGEST PERSON
TO COMPLETE A PROFESSIONAL DRUM COURSE’’. The Royal Commonwealth Society of Malaysia also awarded him a CERTIFICATE OF MERIT for this amazing achievement.
As a result of his achievements, Arthur was awarded a full scholarship to Sri Cempaka International School in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, from secondary school to A-Levels. Arthur has built a name for himself on drums and percussion through his many public performances and winning competitions in and outside of school.
Arthur has performed with many international artists such as Hong Kong superstar Jacky Cheung; world-renowned Japanese saxophonist Sadao Watanabe; Indonesia’s Harvey Malaiholo; Singapore’s Ramli Sarip; Anita Sarawak; Taiwan’s Fong Fei Fei; Philippines‘ contemporary jazz legend, Boy Katindig: Jerico Rozales and Sarah Geronimo under renown music director, Louie Ocampo. Among the world-class drummers he had played alongside were Teddy Campbell (resident drummer of the ongoing American Idol show), Akira Jimbo, Billy Cobham, and Tommy Campbell.
In the local scene, Arthur has performed for most of the country’s top artists such as Siti Nurhaliza, Mawi, Jaclyn Victor, Zainal Abidin, M. Nasir, Ning Baizura, Lisa Hanim, Shafinaz, Camelia, Reshmonu, Adibah Noor, Vince, Aizat, Faizal Tahir, etc. He has sessioned for many big award shows like Anugerah Juara Lagu( AJL), Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH), Anugerah Industri Muzik(AIM), Chinese Golden Melody(CGM), Astro Star Quest and Astro Talent Quest(ATQ).
In 2008 he was selected by top arranger Ramli MS to be the drummer for the biggest reality show in the country, ’’Akademi Fantasia 6’’, which ran for ten weeks. Later in the same year, Arthur achieved a world record. He was acclaimed the undisputed WINNER of the UNDISCOVERED DRUMMER CONTEST, 2008 (under 18 category), organized by the MODERN DRUMMER MAGAZINE based in New York. Arthur beat hundreds of drummers from all over the world to win this coveted title, thus making him the 1st Asian and the 1st drummer outside the Americas to achieve this fantastic feat!
In 2009, in the Rakan Muda Program, Arthur was selected as a role model for the youth and for those who aspire to take up music professionally like him. Arthur has been interviewed by most of the television and radio stations in the country. Documentary films on him and his music such as ‘’A Day in The Life Of Arthur Kam’’ were aired on television programs like OBOR, MUSIC WAVE, YOU ASK FOR IT, WIRA REMAJA, etc. He has also appeared in most of the nation’s newspapers and magazines like KIDZ, SEVENTEEN, HARPERS BAZAAR, MAS inflight magazine, GOING PLACES, etc.
He has toured with rock star Faizal Tahir nationwide, promoting his latest album, ADRENALIN, which just captured the BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR award in this year’s Anugerah Muzik Industri (AIM) on the 2nd of May.
He graduated from Berklee College of Music, Boston, with a degree in Contemporary Writing and Productions. He performed for the Berklee Singer Showcase, Gospel Night and The Harry Belafonte Tribute. He does many of the Berklee Recitals, plays for a General Business (GB) Band, and recordings for the Contemporary Writing & Production department and Music Production & Engineering (MP&E) Projects involving students and faculties. He had the opportunity to perform in the Berklee Commencement 2014 alongside Jimmy Page, Valerie Simpson, Geri Allen, and Thara Memory being the honorary guest. In 2014, he was on two European Tours with Cluttered Clarity (clutteredclarity.com) for three weeks and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival and with Irma Seleman in Finland and St. Petersburg for the Close Encounters Music Festival.
Arthur was based in New York from Fall 2014 till early 2016. He has worked with singer-songwriters, artists, and bands from different genres in New York, Boston, China, and Malaysia. Arthur also recorded with Cory Henry and Sharay Reed. He also played for Jacky Cheung's mini concert in 2015.
Currently, Arthur is back in Malaysia playing for the local scene covering various showcases from the underground jazz scene to private functions to singing competitions and awards both in the Malay and Chinese scene. He also does many recording sessions for various artists from Malaysia and overseas (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc.)
Come see him in person and learn some tips, tricks, advice at his drum clinic on Sept 4thh. Details below. You can get tickets to the clinic from the button below.
