James W. Boyle
James W. Boyle (26 July 1922โ8 May 1971), better known as Jimmy Boyle, was a Penangite musician of Eurasian extraction. He composed and wrote the lyrics to Untuk Negeri Kita, which was adopted as the state anthem of Penang a year after his death.
Jimmy Boyle | |
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Born | James W. Boyle 26 July 1922 |
Died | 8 May 1971 48) | (aged
Citizenship | Malaysian |
Occupation(s) | Composer, jazz musician |
Known for | Composing the Penang state anthem, Untuk Negeri Kita |
Children | Pamela Anne Miller (Boyle) and James P. S. Boyle[1] |
Life
Boyle was born on 26 July 1922 on Kelawai Road, Georgetown, Penang (in what was then the Straits Settlements) to Jeanne Moissinac and John Walter Patrick Boyle, ethnic Eurasian Bumiputera parents of mixed French (maternal) and Irish (paternal) descent. He attended St. Xavier's Institution, and continued his education at Raffles College, Singapore. In 1946, he was hired by St. Xavier's to teach.[2]
Boyle would become a composer for the Classical Saxophone Quarter, NW University Brass Ensemble. His work has received praise from the likes of Charles Lloyd (jazz musician) and Jack Teagarden, and has been played on BBC and Voice of America.[3]
A proud moment in his life came about when one of his compositions, Kemegahan Negaraku (My Country's Majesty), was chosen to be played at the inaugural raising of the Malaysian flag, on 31 August 1957.
Death
On 8 May 1971, Boyle passed away of an intracerebral haemorrhage.[2]
Reference list
- "A Tantalising Tribute to Jimmy Boyle". A Tantalising Tribute to Jimmy Boyle, Nostalgia, Tribute, Songs, Jazz, Trio, music, jimmyboyle.
- Boyle, James P. S. (2015). "Jimmy Boyle's Sentiments as Revealed in the Manuscripts of Sketches of Songs and Instrumental Melodies". Malaysian Music Journal. 4: 84โ104 โ via Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
- "Penang's Kelawi Road where the Eurasians set words to music | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 29 April 2020.