WITH HER WITTY use of language and rapid-fire patter, Jenny Tong seems more like an insurance broker than an independent musician. But this is no ordinary talent. Instead of assuming the artistic temperament (read: introvert) expected of her classical music background, the outgoing 32-year-old has become a big fan of Canto-pop.
Not for her the tiresome, experimental doodlings of the serious musician. Tong creates melodic instrumental pieces, shot through with catchy pop hooks. But what sets her apart from struggling independent artists is her razor-sharp marketing mind.
'Because of my day-time job as an investment consultant, I know about market analysis. I can see the market and there is no locally produced music like mine available at record stores,' says Tong.
She has been quietly making a big noise with her recently released solo debut, In The Mood Of ... Dreams, which has sold steadily since its release in November. Tong's sound is piano-driven easy-listening. It is music to relax to. She says what the market needs is more music of high quality that people can digest easily. 'There is no local music suitable for those aged 28 years or older, who like to buy music but don't want to spend money on pirated CDs. The choice is very limited because the market is full of idol-driven teenage pop. Perhaps [Taiwanese singer-songwriter] Jay Chou may suit them. But other than that, there's nothing.
'Unlike Taiwan, there has been very little locally produced instrumental music in Hong Kong,' Tong says. 'With the improvement in educational levels and the increase in demand for quality music, I want to break through this area of the market.'
Born in Macau and raised in Hong Kong, she has been practising piano since the age of five. Having studied classical music and communication during her arts degree in the United States, she returned to Macau in 1994, and moved to Hong Kong in 1998 as 'it's more like a place I like to live'. She then started playing live concerts in Hong Kong and Macau in her spare time.
Before releasing In The Mood Of ... Dreams, Tong has written music for promotional purposes, such as pieces for a Standard Chartered Bank marketing campaign, a launch party for car-maker Bentley and a promotional album for cigarette brand Kent.
