My second original tune, written in April 2012. Simple, inspirational tune about life, about how deep in the depths of our souls, we are seeking for something beautiful and profound to go to. At the same time, we have to face the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

Performed by The Julian Chan New Quartet at No Black Tie, 16 July 2013.

The Julian Chan New Quartet is:

Julian Chan - alto saxophone
Justin Lim - piano
KJ Wong - drums
Tan Jen Wei - double bass

Copyright 2012-2013 Julian Chan Music. All rights reserved.

The Search For Hope (Julian Chan)

Part 1 of 6 movements of a fully improvised solo saxophone piece - The Karmic Suite.

The Incident - the start of the whole sequence of events that led to me becoming the victim of this awful event.

Karmic Suite Part 1 - Prologue (The Incident)

Part 2 of a 6-part improvised saxophone solo piece I recorded called Karmic Suite.

INTERNAL CONFLICT - this was to reflect how my instincts were at conflict with itself. At that situation, I could not tell which of my instincts is telling me the truth, and I could not tell whether I was making the right decision.

It was recorded using the ZOOM Q3HD, and barely edited using the Zoom Handyshare software, and recorded in my room.

Karmic Suite Part 2 - Internal Conflict

This part 3 of a 6-part improvised saxophone solo piece I recorded called Karmic Suite.

CONFUSION! - the physical and mental turmoil during the occurrence of this event, when it took place for half a day. One thing led to the other, alarm bells ringing in my head and being shut at the same time.

It was recorded using the ZOOM Q3HD, and barely edited using the Zoom Handyshare software, and recorded in my room.

Karmic Suite Part 3 - Confusion!

This part 4 of a 6-part improvised saxophone solo piece I recorded called Karmic Suite.

QUIET SENSE OF LOSS - this was the relatively long moment after the incident had taken place. It was that long moment where I thought about everything that had happen, and trying to make sense of it, and coming to grips with the loss I had face. There were many moments of breakdowns, but at the same time, trying to think of what to do to move on from this.

It was recorded using the ZOOM Q3HD, and barely edited using the Zoom Handyshare software, and recorded in my room.

Karmic Suite Part 4 - Quiet Sense of Loss

This part 5 of a 6-part improvised saxophone solo piece I recorded called Karmic Suite.

THE PAIN OF ACCEPTANCE - the pivotal moment where I really came to grips with the whole situation. It was also the moment where I knew I had to make a firm decision of what I ought to do to really move on without letting this whole situation bring me down. It was also because of my own foolishness that I became a victim of this situation, and I had to accept and move on from that.

It was recorded using the ZOOM Q3HD, and barely edited using the Zoom Handyshare software, and recorded in my room.

Karmic Suite Part 5 - The Pain of Acceptance

This the final part of 6-part improvised saxophone solo piece I recorded called Karmic Suite.

EPILOGUE (FORGIVENESS AND LETTING GO) - I knew that in order to move on, I had to let go of all feelings of bitterness, ill-will, hatred, disappointment, anger, and other negative feelings that arose from this incident. In addition, the decision to FORGIVE my transgressors for their actions was my ultimate test to overcoming this negativity. Otherwise, it could become a terrible cancer in my very being, and it will cause the whole karmic cycle to repeat. And this was definitely something I do not wish to repeat, in this life, or the next.

It was recorded using the ZOOM Q3HD, and barely edited using the Zoom Handyshare software, and recorded in my room.

Karmic Suite Part 6 - Epilogue (Forgiveness and Letting Go)

Julian Chan is a freelance saxophonist/flutist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He recently graduated with a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from Queens College in NYC, where he studied with jazz greats Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Howard Brofsky and David Berkman. In addition, he also studied/mentored, as well as performed with many Malaysian music legends - Greg Lyons, Thomas Theseira, David Gomes, Michael Veerapen, Jose Thomas, and many others.

Julian is an established performer and sessionist in Malaysia, and began is playing career from 2001 until present. Like most musicians in the Malaysian music scene, Julian started his career performing in small gigs, from hotel to lounge jazz bands, and private events - from weddings to corporate functions. It was not long when he eventually increased his exposure as a saxophonist and a sessionist, and this gave him the opportunity to perform and play in more challenging shows, as well as recording for various sessions, from advertisement jingles to albums.

He has performed in Malaysia and other parts of the Asian region, from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, China and recently Japan. He has played with various jazz luminaries and established himself well in the Malaysian music scene, as a sideman and as a bandleader. In the span of 11 years, Julian has performed in all the jazz venues in Malaysia, from the well-established No Black Tie, Alexis Bistro, Mezze Lounge, Nero Fico, to the now-defunct The Top Room, Groove Junction, and many others. He has also managed to perform out in other countries around the Asian region, going out on tour with Chinese pop artistes as well as jazz tours.

Recent projects include: 
- recording/co-producing NY-based Malaysian violinist FUNG CHERN HWEI’s album “From The Heart”;
- a debut feature in WVC TRiO+1’s second album “ELEVEN”
- recorded in Japanese NY-based pianist AYAKO SATO’s album ANONYMOUS 5 “A New Hope”;
- CLAUDE DIALLO SITUATION featuring Julian Chan “Live at No Black Tie”, in 2010, released in 2011;
- Producer/musical director/musician for “Let’s Go Mamak” and “Let’s Go Mamak, Again!” (by Inner Voices Productions) a Malaysian-music fusion concert involving Malaysian traditional instruments with modern instruments. 

His latest CD is with his band WVC TRiO+1's 2014 release WAITING FOR THAT DAY.

When not performing, Julian also teaches saxophone and flute as a private instructor, part-time lecturer at University College Sedaya International (UCSI), as well as giving workshops/masterclasses in various music schools and music colleges in Malaysia.

JULIAN CHAN uses Yanagisawa Saxophones and Vandoren Reeds, Mouthpieces and accessories. 