Biography

Please, listen to the music first. It's much more interesting than the person here. ;)

Adult-comtemporary, jazz-fusion composer/arranger TzeMan (pronounced "zay-man") has been a rumour in his own time. He brands his sonic art as "Music Asylum for Tired Minds," but the asylum's been closed to the public till now. Who'd try breaking into the music biz at 43? You'd think it's a bit crazy; and maybe you're right...

Born in Hong Kong in 1962, TzeMan migrated to California, USA in 1973, and earned a BA in Music from UC Berkeley in 1987. "I knew the degree wouldn't help me break into the music scene, but I got a solid foundation of musical knowledge," he explains. "I knew I had to break in on my own musical merit, not an academic diploma. I just didn't realize merit alone doesn't quite amount to much when trying to break in the music business! I started playing keyboards in local bands, but the club gigs got really old, especially while holding down a day job. Nothing ever led to a record deal. "

With finances worsening in the 1990's, TzeMan abandoned his dream of a music career in favor of a corporate full-time job. "Well, that's being generous, thank you! MY real problem was just learning life's lesson the hard way for 15, 20 years!! The bottom line is, with my personal handicaps, I've been my music's own worst enemy! I also realized I'd been going about breaking into the biz all wrong. I never wanted to be a performer, but I was trying to break in as a keyboard player! " he laughs.

After over a decade of silence, TzeMan has now decided to re-launch his musical endeavors. "To this day, I still haven't found as much gratification as finishing a great tune! A steady paycheck is a necessity, that much I've learnt; but it doesn't nurture my heart and soul. Plus, I've been needing a way to decompress after a day's hectic work. Now that the Internet music market is starting to mature, I figure it's time to see if I can reach my audience directly as a composer/arranger."

Drawing from far more life experience than younger upstarts, TzeMan offers a diverse range of musical styles that appeal to the adult-contemporary listener, from introspective solo piano through upbeat adult-contemporary to sophisticated jazz-fusion. "My mood usually determines the kind of musical ideas I hear. I usually hear jazz-fusion group ideas when I'm happy, and solo piano when I'm sad; adult-contemporary ideas kinda fill in the middle. Think of my music as an asylum for a tired mind." An asylum? "Yes. Music usually starts playing in my head when I'm about to go crazy!" he laughs.

So, who are in TzeMan's band? "Nobody. I'm a one-man band*; my day job takes up most of my free time, and I couldn't afford to hire musicians even if I had time." Multi-talented! "Thanks! I'm flattered! I got a computer and some MIDI gear plugged into it. I play keyboards, so it's easy for me to plug in the other parts by myself. That's about all I got!" Must be a bit restrictive working alone. "No, not always. The progress is much slower, but I get to have total control and attention to detail. I just need to be careful not to work on the same thing forever -- I do have a perfectionist streak in me!"

Now, you're probably thinking, "This'll never work. He'll never be famous; he's too old! He doesn't even have an act!" But... "I don't want to be famous! God, no!!" TzeMan protests. "I want my MUSIC to be famous, and I'm trying to make that happen without me getting in the way. I don't want my personal shortcomings to keep this beautiful music from reaching someone out there. Enough said!" Well, there you have it. Go listen at http://www.TzeMan.com/music.htm!!

*All music composed, arranged, sequenced/performed by Tzechiu Lei except "BART Station" [Guitar - David Ilstrup; Saxophone - John Yi (Fatty Boom Boom)], "The Look Of Love" by Burt Bacharach, arrange by Tze-Chiu Lei.

©1987-2007 TzeMan Music (BMI)