Meet the entrepreneurs who have made championing the arts their business—and are fully committed to helping artists in Singapore thrive. In the last of a three-part series, former jazz pianist-turned-cocktail bar owner Peter Ng is helping jazz and classical music talents showcase their art online until the resumption of live performances
The pandemic has been hard on businesses, especially on small live music venues like Maduro, but thankfully the listening lounge and bar on Dempsey Hill can now welcome back customers for food and drinks. Owner Peter Ng and his team have introduced a new cocktail menu inspired by tunes of various eras, accompanied by a spread of bar bites. For the first-time F&B entrepreneur, this is part of the steep learning curve he has been on since 2019 when he opened the cosy spot, which can seat up to 50 people—fewer with the current social distancing measures.
Even so, the regulars come here for the music, be it jazz or classical, and the musicians look forward to the live jam sessions. While the who’s who of the local jazz scene, Jeremy Monteiro and Louis Soliano included, have played at Maduro, Ng is known to support the careers of musicians, often giving them the platform to hone their craft and, of course, a ready audience.
Ng would know the challenges of being a musician for he spent his youth in the 1970 and ’80s as a professional pianist (he later moved to real estate) playing jazz and pop tunes and accompanying songbirds the likes of Frances Yip and Anita Sarawak at some of Singapore’s top live music spots of yesteryear such as the Tiara Supper Club at Shangri-La Hotel and Westin’s Palm Grill. So when the space for Maduro came up, Ng did not hesitate. “It’s not by choice, but by chance. Music and piano have always been part of me. Real estate is a function of survival, where I have managed to find a niche and developed that.”
(Related: Where to Drink in Singapore This Week: Mikeller Bar Singapore, Pony, Maduro, Roxy, Escape)
For the musicians, they get to showcase their art. For Maduro, it’s about the presentation, production, branding and association.