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The Founder
Chong Ah Kow (Malaysian Harmonicist)
Chong Ah Kow is an internationally renowned Malaysian harmonica virtuoso. He gained international recognition when He Won the Championship at the 2nd World Tremolo Harmonica Contest in Germany, bringing honor to Malaysia in the global harmonica music scene. Over the years, Mr. Chong has been frequently invited to perform internationally, with appearances across China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore. He has also been invited to perform at the North Korea Art Festival. From 1990 onwards, he organized six National Harmonica Competitions, making significant contributions to nurturing talent and advancing harmonica culture. In 1989, He hosted the "Second Harmonica Festival and Competition," which brought together harmonica enthusiasts and performers from the Asia-Pacific region. He has also been invited on numerous occasions to serve as a judge and guest performer at the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival & Competitions (APHF). In 2003, during Malaysia’s National Day celebrations, he led a large-scale harmonica ensemble of 460 participants. This performance was recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records, setting the record for the largest harmonica ensemble in the country.
Biography
- 1971
Won the Champion at the Hong Kong Broadcasting International Talent Contest. - 1989
Won the Championship at the 2nd World Tremolo Harmonica Contest in Germany.
Initiated a Cultural Charity Performance Program and conducted a nationwide tour with a total of 30 performances. - 1990
Awarded by the Japan Harmonica Art Association for harmonica artistry (Saku-kai) and was appointed President of the Saku-kai Malaysia Branch. - 1990 – 2006
Organized National Harmonica Contests and Friendship Competitions between Malaysia and Singapore. - Since 1996
Served as an Honorary Judge,Speaker, and performer at the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival (APHF). - 1997
Contributed articles to a professional harmonica magazine. - 1998
Served as Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 2nd Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival, held in Kuala Lumpur. - 1998
Received the Outstanding Contribution Award for Harmonica Promotion presented by Yasuharu Mano, President of the Japan Harmonica Federation. Performed internationally as a Guest Harmonica Artist in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, France, and Germany. Performed as a Guest Artist at the Cultural Night of the 7th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention. - 2004
Organizer of the Malaysia–China Harmonica Contest.Invited to perform at Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan.
Performed as a Harmonica Artist at the 8th Anniversary Gala of Phoenix Television.
31 August
Organized a 460-member Harmonica Ensemble performing patriotic songs in celebration of Malaysia’s 46th National Day. Appointed as a columnist
for the weekly edition of Nanyang Siang Pau, writing 54 consecutive columns.
- 2005
Invited by Malaysian Minister of Culture Rais Yatim to perform at Istana Budaya.
Also participated as a Harmonica Artist in more than 1,000 events organized Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, schools, communities, and cultural festivals.24 July
Organized over 7,000 audience members to play the world’s smallest harmonica together, successfully setting a world record.
2006
Invited by the Ministry of Culture to perform at Universiti Malaysia Sabah during the Kadazan Cultural Night, which was broadcast live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia.
Organized the International Harmonica Carnival at Resorts World Genting International Convention Hall, attracting more than 500 overseas participants.
2007
Organized the International Harmonica Carnival at Resorts World Genting International Convention Hall, attracting more than 500 overseas participants.
2012
Awarded the Gold Prize at the North Korea Art Festival.
2015
Invited by Perfect (China) Co., Ltd. to perform for 4,500 audiences in the Netherlands and 6,000 audiences in Kuala Lumpur.
Invention
- Invented the Pentatonic Harmonica.
