Wandly Yazid

Wandly Yazid

Wandly Yazid receiving the COMPASS Meritorious Award 2001 from Brother McNally.
Born 24 February 1925
West Sumatra
Died 5 August 2005
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, Gurindam Jiwa. 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. He also studied watercolour and oil painting under Mr Wakidi, 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, and violin under Mr Raquiza and Mr Paul Soliano He also learnt to play the saxophone and clarinet under Mr Paul Martinez.

Achievements

Able to play the piano, violin, clarinet and saxophone, and write music scores, Wandly also formed the Wandy Yazid Orkestra, Wandy Five and the Megawati Orkestra (with The Radio Malaya), as well as his own record label.

He composed music for films by the Nusantara Film Company like Angin Berpesan, where he also composed the song Kaseh Bermula, accompanied by the Megawati Orkestra, and conducted by him.

Wandly also composed the award-winning Hassan's Homecoming by the Malayan Film Unit.

In 1956, he became 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:

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, and one a bachelors.

Awards & recognition

Membership

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

References

See also