Part 4/10:
Moving on, the narrative explores the history of Great Wall City, once a famed amusement park established in the 1930s. The park offered carnival rides, cabarets, and international acts like a Japanese circus. Cecilia Gasper introduces her grandfather, Da Gaspa, a talented musician who played the electric organ during performances by the Kinoita Circus in 1969 at Great World.
He belonged to a group of Filipino musicians who were integral to Singapore’s vibrant live music scene. Their versatility—multi-instrumental skills and jazz performances—was highly sought after, reflecting Singapore’s rich multicultural entertainment fabric. The story emphasizes the significant contributions of Filipino musicians in shaping the local jazz and live music scene from as early as the 1930s.