Popular culture identifies jazz with particular sounds, such as velvety saxophone solos, Frank Sinatra's soft vocals, and strolling basslines, to mention a few. However, the genre's reach has expanded significantly since its peak in the mid-20th century, with numerous artists discovering new ways to create the aural characteristic of jazz by employing various instruments, combining it with other genres, or even expanding and rewriting the genre's terminology.

Jazz is more popular than ever in modern-day Singapore. Here are some of Singapore's most influential jazz musicians, both in terms of sound and spirit. Jeremy Monteiro- Jeremy Monteiro is the man who may be described as the face of Singaporean jazz. Starting out as a pianist at Club 392 on Orchard Road in the late 1970s, Jeremy's name progressively developed until his big break came with an international appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival with his quartet Monteiro, Young & Holt, garnering a three-minute standing ovation. Jeremy is still performing regularly at the age of 58, including an annual Christmas concert, collaborations with visiting international musicians, and genre-fusing shows such as his tenure with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

Rani Singam- When Jeremy Monteiro heard Rani Singnam's demo CD, he confused her voice for Sarah Vaughan's. Rani has only become better since that time in the early 2000s. The child singing sensation-turned vocal powerhouse sensation exploded onto the scene with her debut CD With a Song In My Heart, and has since earned accolades for her effortlessly soulful, delicate singing, including a spot in The Jazz Singers encyclopedia alongside jazz giants such as Ella Fitzgerald. If you hadn't heard of her before, you could have heard her perform 'Majulah Singapura' at the 2013 National Day Parade. Rani Singam still performs and works with some of the top musicians in the world and in Singapore, including Chok Kerong and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Alemay Fernandez: Alemay Fernandez is one of Singapore's most popular jazz singers, known for her robust, dramatic, but exquisite voice. Fernandez, a 20-year veteran of the scene, routinely plays in Singapore's pubs and bars, collaborating with some of the genre's biggest stars, including the Basie Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis & The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra at the Esplanade. And she's in high demand all over the world, with appearances ranging from Hong Kong to Perth to Moscow – and that's only in the first four months of 2019.

Chok Kerong: Kerong, a talented pianist and hammond organist, is best recognized as a composer and arranger. Strings and brasses join his piano and jazz staples such as saxophone and bass in his chamber jazz group concerts in 2015 and 2019. He's created a reputation for himself by blending classical inspirations with jazz and soul, and he's pushed the sound palette to new and exciting areas. His organ trio continues in this spirit, introducing an unconventional instrument to straight-ahead jazz. Kerong worked as an arranger for pop sensation Charlie Lim and has been commissioned to produce a composition for pipe organ and strings for the classical-focused Singapore Symphony Group. Chok Kerong is the personification of musical versatility and experimentation on a big scale in Singapore.

Felix Phang: In Felix Phang's music, worlds merge. Originally educated as a classical violinist and trombonist, Phang went down the rabbit hole of jazz while learning at Berklee College of Music, and now mixes the previous two genres with ethnic music from Singapore's primary races. Phang has formed a number of bands, including The Straits Ensemble, which performs ethnic-jazz-classical fusion, Imaginary Forces, which performs modern jazz, and Ark Royal, which performs Mandarin Jazz with his regular partner Dawn Wong. Phang's music is especially important this bicentennial as we evaluate our past and look to the future, guided by his ambition to investigate our traditions and establish a 'Singaporean sound.'

The Steve McQueens: The Steve Mcqueens, who perform a type of jazz fusion that ranges from sensuous and peaceful to pounding and loud, are one of the most prominent performers to arise from the industry in recent times. Formed in 2013, the band immediately established itself as a major act, winning a position on the 2014 program of the Sing Jazz Festival, where it gained international notice. The band, which consists of singer Eugenia Yip (or Ginny Bloop), keyboardist Joshua Wan, bassist Jase Sng, and drummer Aaron James Lee, has released two albums and toured extensively, with highlights including the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan and opening for the legendary Incognito at the O2 in London.

MBH Corporation plc (MBH), a diversified investment holding company, launches a competitive awards initiative to showcase exceptional Environmental Social Governance (ESG) efforts by small to medium-sized Singapore businesses, also Music businesses :).

ESG focuses on the protection of the environment, social justice and long-term economic prosperity, and while it has only recently begun to gain prominence in the business world, MBH recognises that many small to medium companies in Singapore have been incredibly active in ESG for some time. The ESG Excellence Awards initiative aims to bring greater acknowledgement to the companies who have truly excelled in this field by providing opportunities to highlight their work on a much wider scale.

The ESG Excellence Awards Singapore 2022 is an opportunity for small to mid-sized companies to showcase their efforts in the ESG field and vie for the chance to win a multi-faceted prize worth S$5000. Entry to the competition is free and open to any small to medium-sized businesses that have their primary business activities and primary office or facility based in Singapore.

Companies that want to compete only need to provide a written entry that gives a description of their business and why it is different, how their company relates to ESG, how they support social responsibility and what their vision is for the future of their company, from an ESG, investment and growth perspective.

Evaluating the entries will be a judging panel of renowned leaders from various fields in business, including best-selling author, TedX Speaker and founder of global-giving and social enterprise, B1G1, Masami Sato, and the Managing Director of Bank Julius Baer, Singapore, Dr Fong Cheng Hong.

The winners of the ESG Excellence Awards Singapore 2022 will walk away with a media investment prize worth S$5,000 in social and traditional media activation that will boost awareness around their business. This includes the production of a promotional video aimed at promoting their company and the important work they are doing in the area of ESG, a media release telling their ESG story that will be written by MBH and sent to a highly targeted media distribution list, and entrepreneur consultation with top leaders in MBH, including CEO of the MBH Corporation, Callum Laing. The winners will also be given the opportunity to be one of the judges in the next ESG Excellence Awards, set to take place in 2023.

Entries for the competition are currently open and will close by 25th April 2022. The judging panel will be evaluating the entries over a period of two weeks, from 25th April - 6th May 2022 and the winners will be announced on 9th May 2022.

Callum Laing, CEO of MBH Corporation plc, added: "Whether it is called ESG, CSR or Social Entrepreneurship, most small businesses – certainly the ones that MBH partners with – have been doing this in one form or another for decades. Now it's time for us to help shine a light on those in Singapore doing this so well."

MBH Corporation plc (M8H:GR) is a diversified investment holding company, listed on the Frankfurt and Dusseldorf Stock Exchanges and the OTCQX in New York (MBHCF). The company acquires small to medium enterprises across multiple geographies and sectors that are well established, profitable and looking to scale. By leveraging the Agglomeration strategy, MBH Corporation plc is able to create substantial shareholder value through the consistent and accretive acquisition of excellent companies.

Cap Korea Co., Ltd. announced that it will distribute the 2021 The Fact BTS Photo Book Special Edition exclusively to Indonesia through collaboration with iSyle.id, which has professional recognition and public confidence in selling Korean products in Indonesia.

An official from Cap Korea said, "In the past, we tried to proceed simultaneously with Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, but in order to smoothly supply photo books at reasonable prices, we have collaborated with iStyle.id of The Salim Group, one of Indonesia's largest conglomerates."

Indonesia's sales schedule will be pre-orders online, department stores, and direct offline stores from February 1st (Tue), pre-orders will be ended on February 28th, local delivery will begin at the end of February, and sales will begin offline at department stores and direct stores in March.

"2021 The Fact BTS Photo Book Special Edition", the 2nd collection which will be released following a photobook containing special moments with the "2020 The Fact Music Awards", is filled with Music, Life, Youth and Success of BTS with the theme of "&", a linkage between you and me, the world and us, and today and tomorrow.

Those special photos were taken by artist Kim Je-won, a professional photographer of the artist agency VOTT, which make the photobook a must-have item with their beauty and rarity.

New 160-page photobook consists of printed portraits, photocards, and posters; it is the last chance to get the additional poster as pre-order privilege, which may run out of stock early.

CapKorea Co., Ltd.(cap-kor.com) is a company located in Gangseo-gu, Busan, Korea, and engaged in export and trading business, which holds exclusive rights to sell "2021 The Fact BTS Photobook Special Edition" in three Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia) in collaboration with iStyle.id (Indonesia), Qoo10(Singapore and Malaysia) online shopping mall that is well known in Southeast Asia.

The thumping sounds of clubs or the acoustic melodies of a busker in Singapore's nightlife would be incomplete without certain sounds associated clubs and revelry centres. If you are a jazz purist or simply enjoy the sweet sounds of sax and double bass floating through the air, these are the best places in town to catch live jazz performances. The first one is Maduro (in photo). This Dempsey Hill mansion is not haunted by a Bent-Neck Lady. It's plagued by something far more frightening for food and beverage operators: an undiscovered third-floor space. Room for More, Peter Ng's listening lounge and bar, is being replaced by Maduro, ilLido Group's listening lounge and bar, less than a year after it opened. The 64-year-old is a first-time food and beverage proprietor, a former jazz pianist, and a real estate broker who spends his days flying between Singapore and London. Maduro is divided into two concepts, inspired by the numerous cigar bars in the United Kingdom where he has closed deals. To the right is a living room jazz parlour that features a rotating roster of Singapore's top musicians; to the left is a private den that is only accessible by invitation. On most Fridays and Saturdays, when guest performers take the stage, there is a $30 cover charge, which is redeemable for a house-poured spirit or wine. The remainder of the menu is straightforward. By the bottle, you can choose from whiskies ranging from the approachable Talisker 10 Years ($230) to the absurd The Macallan M Black ($18000), as well as wines such as Château Haut-Pougnan Bordeaux Rouge ($90) and a 1952 Château Latour Premier Grand Cru ($2500). Alternatively, order a classic cocktail (starting at $22), a beer (starting at $20 for a Corona), or a pour of other spirits (beginning at $22). Although the prices are high and the selection is limited, you've come for the music. Settle into an orange couch and allow the maestros to transport you, each note chasing away the ghost of insignificance that stalked the space previously.

The other one, Monti, a swanky Italian restaurant and bar, is brimming with activity by the bay, has taken over the space previously occupied by Catalunya at Fullerton Pavilion. Chef Luigi Calcagno's creations include the Signor Monti ($52), a grilled monkfish fillet wrapped in pancetta, and the cacio e pepe ($39), a cacio e pepe risotto finished with a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano and topped with black truffles at the table. At 9 p.m. each night, resident DJs Adam Sky, Stephen Day, Tirso Garcia, and Victoria perform sets that seamlessly transition you from dinner to cocktails. Mr Monti ($22), a white rum, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, grapefruit tonic, and basil tonic highball, is a must-try.

The other jazz playing club is known as The Powder Room. This pub at The Black Swan is yet to establish a foothold on the local bar scene, which is a shame. Yes, it is another hangout for the post-work crowd due to its CBD location. Julian Serna, the group bar's mentor, has revamped the menu, breathing new life into the cocktails. To complement The Powder Room's flapper '20s décor, the playful mixes are divided into categories (Light & Fruity, Rich & Full-flavored, and Complex & Stiff). Bubble Yum ($21), a fizzy prosecco, lime, mint, raspberry, and bubblegum vodka cocktail served with a helium balloon, and Thank You for Smoking ($21, pictured), a spirited concoction with notes of cigar, coffee, whisky, and cherry, are two standouts from the former Eau De Vie alum.

Bob's Bar is the other jazz-playing pub in Singapore. Mojitos, Cubanos, and Latin music abound at Bob's Bar, which was recently renovated. Apart from 15 new rum-based cocktails and a menu of bar bites ranging from the familiar (wagyu satay, anyone?) to the mildly exotic (Frijoles Colorados), the joint receives a dose of Cuban charm on weekends, courtesy of its live house band. Additionally, a newly renovated alfresco terrace allows you to enjoy your sundown cocktails in style.

The last one is Lewin Terrace. Lewin Terrace is a fantastic dining restaurant that combines French techniques with the freshest Japanese ingredients, with a seasonally changing menu. This spring, the restaurant is offering five- and seven-course menus that incorporate ingredients such as cherry blossoms and mountain vegetables to celebrate the beauty of spring. Only in the spring does the restaurant bring in sakuradai, a sea bream harvested during the sakura season and pan-fried with sakura ebi and asparagus. Another standout is the Chef's Wagyu Meets Tiger, a wagyu beef brisket stewed in Tiger Beer and served with dried figs and apricots for sweetness.