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The Founder
Chong Ah Kow (Malaysian Harmonicist)
Mr.Chong won the "2nd World Harmonica Contest Championship" which was held in Germany. Mr. Chong was invited to perform at overseas frequently such as China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore. These also included "North Korea’s Art Festival". In 1990, Mr. Chong formed Harmonica World Sdn Bhd and he had organized 6 national Harmonica Contests from 1990 onwards. In 1998, he organized the "2nd Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival & Contest". He was also the judge and guest performer for several "Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival and Contest". In 2003, he guided the "460 People Largest Harmonica Performance" in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day and this event was entered into "The Malaysia Book of Records".
Biography
- Won the Hong Kong Radio International Talent Competition championship in 1971.
- Champion of the 2nd German World Tremolo Harmonica Competition in 1989.
- Since 1996, has served as an Honorary Jury Member, Seminar Speaker, and Guest Performer at the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival (APHF) and competitions.
- In 1998, served as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2nd APHF in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- In 1998, received the “Outstanding Contribution Award for the Promotion of Harmonica” from Yasuharu Mano, President of the All Japan Harmonica Federation.
- Established a Cultural Charity Performance Program in 1990, with a nationwide tour of 30 performances.
- Founded Harmonica World Limited in 1990 and currently serves as the Managing Director.
- From 1990 to 2006, organized national harmonica competitions and friendship competitions between Malaysia and Singapore.
- Performed as a guest artist in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, and other countries.
- In 1990, was awarded the Honorary Title for Harmonica Education by the Japan Harmonica Art Association (Saku-kai) and was appointed as President of the Malaysia Branch of Saku-kai.
- In 1997, contributed articles to a specialized magazine focused on harmonica.
- Performed as a guest artist at the 7th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention Cultural Night in Malaysia.
- Served as the organizer of the 2004 Malaysia-China Harmonica Competition.
- Invited to perform at Fo Guang Shan in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2004.
- Performed as a guest artist at the Phoenix Television 8th Anniversary Gala in 2004.
- On August 31, 2004, organized a harmonica ensemble of 460 people to perform patriotic songs, celebrating Malaysia’s 46th Independence Day.
- In 2004, served as a weekly columnist for Nanyang Siang Pau for 54 weeks.
- In 2005, was invited by the Minister of Culture, Datuk Rais Yatim, to perform at the Cultural Palace. Participated as a guest artist at over 1,000 events organized by Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, schools, communities, and cultural festivals.
- On July 24, 2005, facilitated a seminar performance with over 7,000 spectators playing the world’s smallest harmonica, setting a record.
- Began producing local Malaysian films in 2006.
- Invited by the Ministry of Culture in 2006 to perform at Kadazan Night at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), an event broadcast live by RTM.
- Invented the Pentatonic Tremolo Harmonica.
- In 2007, organized the International Harmonica Carnival at the Genting Highlands International Showroom, with over 500 participants from overseas attending the event.
- In 2012, awarded the golden award in “North Korea’s Art Festival”
- In 2015, he was invited by PERFECT(CHINA)CO, LTD to perform for 4500 people in Netherlands and 6000 people in Kuala Lumpur.
- He was invented the pentatonic Tremolo Harmonica.
