From Kuching to Abbey Road

JOLYNN J Chin is living a dream that once seemed far away for a young girl growing up in Sarawak.

The Kuchingite made history as the first Sarawakian pianist to collaborate with the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, an achievement that she upholds with pride and gratitude.

Jolynn, 29, has just finished mastering her latest album, ‘Off Time’, at the legendary studio, a journey that feels almost surreal to her.

“Being the first Sarawakian pianist to work with Abbey Road is something I never imagined when I started out,” she tells thesundaypost.

“This experience is so much more than just about music for me, it’s about showing the world what we, Sarawakians, can achieve. It feels like I’m carrying a part of Sarawak’s soul with me onto the international stage.”

The album was mastered in Dolby Atmos by Abbey Road’s Oli Morgan, who has worked with French Kiwi Juice (FKJ) and Sam Smith, while Grammy member Roger Montejano mixed the title track in Dolby Atmos.

‘Off Time’ is a deeply personal project for Jolynn.

“Off Time is a story told through music,” she says. “And I hope it resonates with people, just as much as it does with me.”

‘The beginning’

Jolynn’s path to international success began in the most humble of places – her home in Kuching.

She first dipped her toes into music at the tender age of five, taking musical foundation classes that led her to the piano. It did not take long for the piano to become her sanctuary, a place where she could explore her thoughts and emotions.

“I was around nine when I realised that composing music felt natural to me.”

“I would spend hours just tinkering with chords and melodies, sometimes forgetting about practising for my piano exams.

“But it was not about perfecting the pieces for me; it was about creating something of my own. That’s when I knew music would always be a part of me.

Though she might have neglected her exam pieces, Jolynn’s talent for composition and playing did not go unnoticed.

She had the privilege of learning under Dr Nicholas Ong, the first Malaysian pianist to graduate from the world’s prestigious Juilliard School in New York.

“He taught me so much, not just about the piano techniques, but also about believing in myself as an artiste. I think that has made all the difference for me.”

Jolynn’s early days were filled with the inspiration of some of the world’s most exciting crossover musicians like Maksim, Vanessa Mae and Havasi.

“They’re the ones who showed me that you could merge classical music with contemporary sounds.

“I was also drawn to artistes like Michael Jackson for his stage presence and showmanship.

“He had this incredible way of connecting with people through performance, and that’s something I try to carry with me.”

Grammy, AGT experience

One of the most defining moments in Jolynn’s career came when her EP ‘Beyond Classical’ was considered for the 62nd Grammy Awards’ ‘Best Contemporary Instrumental Album’ category.

“I remember when I got the news, I was floored. To have my music considered at that level was more than I could have ever hoped for. It was a reminder that my hard work was paying off, and it fuelled my passion even more.”

That recognition gave her the confidence to keep pushing boundaries with her music.

Jolynn’s style, a unique blend of classical, jazz, pop and fusion, began to catch the attention of audiences worldwide.

“The Grammy consideration was important, but more than that, it showed me that Malaysian artistes, especially those from Sarawak, could make it on the international stage.

“That meant the world to me.”

Jolynn’s journey took another exciting turn when she was unexpectedly invited to audition for America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 16 in 2021.

“I received a call from the casting producer, who told me they wanted me on the show,” she recalls.

One of the most memorable aspects of the experience was meeting fellow artistes from around the globe and sharing the stage with them.

“Seeing all four judges, including Simon Cowell up close and filming with Terry Crews was unforgettable.”

Jolynn also mentions that the AGT has not only provided a platform for her to showcase her talent, but also opened the doors to new creative opportunities and collaborations that she has never even anticipated.

Latest production

Jolynn’s latest album, ‘Off Time’, is not just a showcase of her technical skills, but is also a deeply personal reflection of her journey through life, loss and growth.

“This album is very close to my heart. It’s about breaking free from the usual constraints and finding the beauty in the unconventional,” she adds.

Each track on the album tells a story. The title track, for example, speaks about Jolynn’s struggle with mental resilience.

“Off Time, the first track, incorporates a bit of singing into it, which tells you about the journey of being mentally resilient to anything, strengthening the mind from distractions and negativity from hatred, past and traumas.

“There are also tracks sampling voice conversations shared between my friends and I, in ‘California Days’ and ‘Happy Days’. They are the days that I would reflect about and just write about them in the form of music.”

Another track, ‘654321’, explores unconventional rhythms and time signatures.

Time signatures, or meter signatures, are the notations in sheet music that guide the rhythmic structure of a piece.

“It’s almost like a musical countdown. It starts on 6/8 and moves all the way down to 1/8,” says Jolynn.

Another standout track, ‘Ajia Rizumu’, meaning ‘Asian Rhythms’ in Japanese, pays homage to her roots as an Asian.

‘Challenges during pandemic’

Like many artistes, Jolynn faced immense challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It was a tough time.”

The lockdown did have a significant impact on her career, disrupting plans for live performances and collaborations.

“We were in the phase of building our team as our bookings for the entire year had been filled up, and we were ready to go. It was honestly a big hit for us.”

Nevertheless, Jolynn found creative ways to stay connected with her audience despite there being no live performances.

“I utilised social media to stay connected with my audience, hosting live performances online and streaming on Twitch to promote her music.

Jolynn also embraced vlogging on YouTube, providing behind-the-scenes content, which helped her maintain a strong connection with her fans during such an isolating time.

She used this challenge as an opportunity to adapt and innovate, rethinking her approach towards music creation and finding new ways to connect with others remotely.

“I had to earn through royalties and whatever ways I could find to monetise my music.”

Despite the difficulties, the lockdown did spark some inspiration for new musical projects.

“The lockdown inspired me to experiment with new styles and concepts. This led to the creation of ‘Shifted’, a track that went viral and garnered three million views on social media.”

Looking ahead

With the release of ‘Off Time’, Jolynn is looking forward to arranging for a global concert tour, possibly in North America and Europe.

She plans to highlight the unique aspects of the album by performing with the musicians featured on the record.

“I’m excited to bring ‘Off Time’ to a live audience and share the experience with the people who have helped make the album possible,” she enthused.

Jolynn’s long-term goals in the music industry include expanding her collections by collaborating with diverse artistes globally.

“I aspire to create impactful music that resonates with audiences worldwide,” she said.

Her advice to aspiring musicians is this: “Stay true to your voice and embrace your individuality. Never be afraid to take risks and experiment with your music.

“Build a supportive network, and always keep learning and growing in your craft. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”

Asked if there was anything that she would have done differently, Jolynn laughs: “If I could turn back the clock, I would have told my parents to homeschool me at 13, just enough to get the grades for SPM (Malaysian Certificate of Education), and spend the rest of my time learning music production, composition and the business side of it.”

She encourages young people to consider this path if they are passionate about music, and she quickly adds: “You do you!”

Nevertheless, Jolynn expresses deep gratitude to all her supporters.

“Your encouragement means the world to me. I’m excited to share ‘Off Time’ with you all and hope that it would inspire you to embrace your unique journey in life

“I will keep pushing my best to bring our country and state across the international waters!”