A Groundbreaking Initiative By The Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival (MJPF) Committee

This book represents a groundbreaking initiative to compile, document, transcribe and present a comprehensive repertoire of Malaysian jazz and popular music. It is a community-based project that showcases the rich and diverse heritage of Malaysian music while also highlighting the music of contemporary composers, songwriters and groups. The Real Book offers an anthology of playable sheet music that will benefit music enthusiasts, students and professionals alike.

The project was sparked through the leadership of the Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival (MJPF) Committee, with additional contributions from the extended Malaysian music community. The MJPF Committee was formed in 2013 with the goal of widening the prevalence of Malaysian jazz music and to cultivate a musical community that exemplifies what it means to be "Malaysian".

The motivation behind the Malaysian Real Book, therefore, becomes apparent, since it serves as a platform for the Malaysian music community to unite for a greater cause. It offers a much-needed education resource for students, teachers and researchers, while also providing professional musicians an accessible and accurate reference for their performances, arrangements and compositions; thus, bridging the gap between the music student and working musician. Amateur musicians and music fans will also benefit from this historical publication - the first ever Real Book of Malaysian music, a first of its kind for any country in the wider Asian region!