Personalities

Life’s Like Jazz

From street urchin to architect & jazz musio, Eddie Chan’s life has been one improvisation after another.

Text and Photos by Chia Ming Chien

Eddie Chan

Self-made millionaire businessman Eddie Chan grew up as a street urchin in Chinatown to become founder-owner of one of Singapore’s big-five architecture companies. He is now a passionate jazz musician and jazz club owner. Chia Ming Chien traces his story.

One epiphanic night in Boston, at age 55, Eddie attended a jazz concert featuring the maestro of vibraphones – Milt Jackson. Recounts Eddie: “After the concert I asked Milt Jackson ‘Am I too old to learn to play jazz?’” The legend replied, “No!” and gave Eddie a whole set of his albums to encourage him. Eddie came back to Singapore, bought himself a vibraphone and jazz has been central to his life since. He took lessons and managed to squeeze in regular practices in between business meetings at his architecture company.

He started the bar Jazz@South Bridge (JSB) in Singapore four years ago. Now Eddie is ready to establish another JSB in Vietnam where, he says, “There is no jazz of an international standard available.” (To read on, click: Life’s Like Jazz PDF)

Off The Wall & Down To Earth – LINDA LOCKE

Text and Photos by Chia Ming Chien

Linda Locke

“I’m a very peculiar mix – Portugese, Amenian, Welsh, and born in Singapore.” But Linda Locke is a blend of unexpected and unusual mixes in a whole lot more ways. My first impression of her was one of a person used to and comfortable with authority, accustomed to leading others and having things done her way. Yet it soon emerged that she’s also very much a team player. However, this apparent contradiction remains only long enough for you to realise that Linda is locked on something far more subtle than authority and power: she possesses control. A kind of control that allows a person to be on top of things, whether as partner, leader or subordinate.

I found it a refreshing experience to encounter a person so frank, because although candid and direct, she has a sensitivity and tact that lets you feel comfortable that a spade has been called a spade.

Linda Locke, Managing Director of Saatchi & Saatchi, Singapore, Chief Executive Officer of a big fish in a high-glamour pool of advertising companies, is as she describes herself: “Not flamboyant; the only time you’ll see me flamboyant is in a presentation (to a client). That’s showtime.” (To read on, click: Linda Locke)

FHM: Allan Pease: Body language expert on smiling brides, cleavage and ugly dudes.

Allan Pease – body language expert.

FHM: Any surprises researching your latest book Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love: Unravelling The Simple Truth?

Any surprises researching your latest book Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love: Unravelling The Simple Truth? The biggest surprise – and no surprise! – were these brain scans we looked at just three months ago showing how male and female brains operate when deciding what’s attractive. There’s no comparison between men and women. In simple terms, the brain scans show that men and women see sex and love completely differently.

FHM: That joke about the male and female brain is pretty accurate?

AP: [Laughs] Absolutely! But if you talked about it,you’d be called a sexist pig; because the world of love, sex and romance today has become highly feminised. Two feminists told me: “What modern men must learn is that women want to take time, they want lights muted, music playing in the background, to talk… This is what modern men need to do.” (To read on, click: FHM – Allan Pease PDF)

FHM: The Magician

Magic man, Steve Frayne, on icebreakers, bedroom tricks and turning water into beer.

Magic man, Steve Frayne, aka Dynamo

FHM: We only see the results of your success… the celebrities you get to meet, the glam. What’s the story behind and before the success? Behind all the smoke and mirrors, I’m just a regular guy with a real passion for my magic.

SF: My skills help give me and others experiences we would normally never get to have. My mum raised me on her own because my father was never around — he spent most of his time in jail. I grew up on Delph Hill council estate in Bradford, England and let’s just say it’s not the type of place you would choose to be raised in — even to this day it is known as a dangerous place. But growing up there has definitely played a big part in shaping the person I am today. My Grandpa was the closest person I had to a genuine father figure; it was he who first introduced me to magic. He was a bit of a hustler himself and was always the life of the party — even now at 80 years old!!! Regardless of the celebs and cool people I get to hang out with, there’s only one person I wanna be like when I’m older… my Grandpa.

(To read on, click: FHM – Magician Dynamo PDF)