Arthur Kam, born with a right ear deformity (a medical condition known as congenital right microthia), which leaves him 30% deaf, is an 18 year old child prodigy who has been drumming since his parents discovered his talent at the age of 6.
At the age of 11, Arthur passed his Grade 8 (Pro Zone) drum exam (equivalent to a performer’s certificate) with distinction under the Rockschool Examination Board, validated by Trinity College, London. He was the first and youngest candidate to sit for this professional exam since its introduction in Malaysia. He breezed through Grade 1 to Grade 8 in a record time of only 6 months! His score remains the highest ever since its inception in the country in 1996.
In 2003, his achievements got him into the Malaysia Book Of Records as ‘’THE YOUNGEST PERSON TO COMPLETE A PROFESSIONAL DRUM COURSE’’. The Royal Commonwealth Society of Malaysia also awarded him a CERTIFICATE OF MERIT for this amazing achievement.
As a result of his achievements, Arthur was awarded a full scholarship to Sri Cempaka International School in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, from secondary school to A-Levels. Arthur has built a name for himself on drums and percussion by his many public performances and winning competitions in and outside of school.
At present, he is an endorsee of SABIAN cymbals and also LP PERCUSSION (A brand of percussion from USA).
Arthur has performed with many international artistes such as Hong Kong superstar, Jacky Cheung; world renown Japanese saxophonist, Sadao Watanabe ; Indonesia’s Harvey Malaiholo; Singapore’s Ramli Sarip; Anita Sarawak; Taiwan’s Fong Fei Fei; Philippines ‘ contemporary jazz legend, Boy Katindig: Jerico Rozales and Sarah Geronimo under renown music director, Louie Ocampo. Among world class drummers he had played alongside were, Teddy Campbell(resident drummer of the ongoing American Idol show), Akira Jimbo , Billy Cobham and Tommy Campbell.
In the local scene Arthur has performed for most of the country’s top artistes such as Siti Nurhaliza,Mawi,Jaclyn,Victor,Zainal Abidin, M.Nasir, Ning Baizura ,Lisa Hanim ,Shafinaz, Camelia, Reshmonu , Adibah Noor, Vince, Aizat, Faizal Tahir, etc. He has sessioned for many big award shows like Anugerah Juara Lagu( AJL), Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH), Anugerah Industri Muzik(AIM), Chinese Golden Melody(CGM) and Astro Talent Quest(ATQ).
In 2008 he was selected by top arranger, Ramli MS to be the drummer for the biggest reality show in the country, ’’Akademi Fantasia 6’’ which ran for 10 weeks. Later in the same year, Arthur achieved a world record. He was acclaimed the undisputed WINNER of the UNDISCOVERED DRUMMER CONTEST,2008 (under 18 category), organized by the MODERN DRUMMER MAGAZINE based in New York. Arthur beat hundreds of drummers from all over the world to win this coveted title, thus making him the 1st Asian and the 1st drummer outside the Americas to achieve this fantastic feat!
In 2009, in the Rakan Muda Programme, Arthur was selected as a role model for the youth and for those who aspire to take up music professionally like him.
Arthur has been interviewed by most of the television and radio stations in the country. Documentary films on him and his music such as ‘’A Day in The Life Of Arthur Kam’’ were aired on television programmes like OBOR,MUSIC WAVE, YOU ASK FOR IT, WIRA REMAJA, etc. He has also appeared in most of the nation’s newspapers and in magazines like KIDZ, SEVENTEEN, HARPERS BAZAAR,MAS inflight magazine ,GOING PLACES, etc.
At present he is touring with rock star Faizal Tahir nationwide, promoting his latest album, ADRENALIN, which just captured the BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR award in this year’s Anugerah Muzik Industri (AIM) on the 2nd of May.
This August No Black Tie & JAZZCOMM pays tribute to Arthur by hosting a 2 night performance at NBT. Arthur will perform with a JAZZCOMM All-Star selection and dazzle you. It’s the least we can do to help him further his studies at Berklee College of Music and be a greater musician. All proceeds from the performance will go to the JAZZCOMM Scholarship for Arthur Kam.
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