Mr Gambus Farid Ali dies (Update)

KUALA LUMPUR: Internationally-acclaimed gambus player Farid Ali, 50, passed away Saturday after a long illness.

According to a close associate, Farid breathed his last at Hospital Selayang at about 6pm. He is survived by his wife Tricia Chiew. They have no children.

Farid, popularly known as Mr Gambus, bagged an award for Best Musical Arrangement in the 1988 Curacao International Music Festival. He also won the World Peace Award in 1993.

Singapore-born Farid had released three notable albums - No Strings Attached, Back to Basics and Turning Point: Gambus Goes Jazz.

Farid is no stranger to the local jazz scene, finding fame from his unique ability to blend the sound of the traditional musical instrument with western music.

In an interview with Star Online's Malay news portal, M-Star, two years ago, Farid said the influence of traditional local music such as the zapin and ghazal came from his late father.

He studied at the Guitar Institute in California before continuing his studies at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston.

He also worked with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Ernie Watts, Eric Marienthal and Steven Thornton.