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UMAR ZAKARIA’s “ASLIBOP” ENSEMBLE – Debut/Premiere
Sunday, May 24, 2026 @ 7:30 pm
Doors open at 7:00 pm
“Aslibop” is a bold new approach to improvisation combining the intricate melodic traditions of bebop and Malay asli music, developed over years of dedicated research by Malay bassist Umar Zakaria into the musical culture of his Singaporean Malay heritage.
The Aslibop Ensemble extends the bounds of both jazz and Malay improvisational worlds by exploring their experimental concepts throughout Umar’s original Malay-themed compositions and arrangements.
Their performance will present a delicate dance of the familiar with the unfamiliar, interweaving distant yet complementary wisdoms to discover a new musical perspective with a sound of its own. Featuring Flora Carbo (alto saxophone), Andy Sugg (tenor saxophone), Yemo Wang (guitar), Umar Zakaria (double bass), Kyrie Anderson (drums) and Qamar Baba (percussion).
The Melbourne Jazz Co-operative:
The Melbourne Jazz Co-operative is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting original live jazz performance by established and emerging artists in Melbourne.
Since 1983 our objectives have been to increase the exposure of contemporary jazz performance by making it accessible to audiences, and to provide award waged performance opportunities for emerging and established artists.
In addition to support derived from member contributions, the MJC is assisted by the Victorian Government, through Creative Victoria, via its Arts Development Programs. MJC was assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body from 1983-2017 inclusive, and was delighted to receive Australia Council funding of $60,000 for our 2019 program.
The MJC received $40,000 from the Australia Council over the 2021/2022 Financial Year, and was pleased to received a grant of $75,341 from Creative Australia (with Music Australia contribution) for our 2025 Annual Program.
Our sold-out 40th Anniversary Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre in May 2023 was supported by a $20,000 grant from Creative Victoria’s Creative Projects program.