UCSI University created history by making a podium sweep at the recent Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival 2022.

Delivering mesmerising performances full of nuance and zest, Tan Jin Weng, Celine Chua and Lee Pin Wei, finished first, second and third, respectively.

And with their coursemate Goh Zhi Wei placing fourth, UCSI students took up four out of five spots in the grand final.

As the result of his big win sank in, Jin Weng was elated as he was introspective.

“I’m really happy I’m quite shocked at the same time,” he mused. “I didn’t think I would win as all the other contestants are extremely talented and they played really well today.

“As coursemates, we know what each of us can do! We practise really hard, we certainly bring out the best in each other and I wish there were more than three spots on the podium.”

Jin Weng’s musical tour de force was anchored on ‘New York Attitude’ - an original composition - and ‘New Joy’, a piece from the Malaysian Real Book.

For his efforts, he took home a cash prize of RM500, a medal, a certificate and jazz music books.

While Jin Weng certainly wowed the audience and the judging panel comprising some of Malaysia’s best jazz performers like Michael Veerapan and Tay Cher Siang, he was secretly battling stage fright.

It was his first competition and admittedly, performing under the bright lights, on the grandest stages is something he still needs getting used to.

In many ways, Jin Weng’s big win at the first time of asking signifies his coming of age in music.

His musical affinities were evident when he turned seven and his parents backed him wholeheartedly.

What started off as music lessons soon became more serious and when the time for tertiary education came, UCSI was the only place in mind.

“I always wanted to pursue music seriously and I’m thankful to be exposed to jazz music from day one at UCSI,” he said.

“The who’s who of contemporary and classical music teach here. I learn so much from master classes conducted by famous jazz musicians like Michael Veerapen and my adjunct lecturer Ch’ng Wee Lern inspires me.”

Jin Weng’s win extends UCSI’s long-standing record of excellence at the Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival. UCSI alumni Mohd Rashman, Alton Wong and Melvin Goh also won the competition in 2020, 2017 and 2015, respectively.

Established in 1990, UCSI’s Institute of Music is ranked as the world’s 19th best university for performing arts in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022. It stands out as Malaysia’s foremost music school in both classical and contemporary music.

UCSI is Malaysia’s top private university in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Ranked 284, UCSI is classified in the top 0.9% of the world’s universities. It is the only university in the world to receive the QS Recognition for Improvement Award.