Philanthropic musician creates tunes from household items

GEORGE TOWN: A globetrotting former disc jockey (DJ) is now entertaining the crowds every Sunday at Lebuh Pantai here with an eclectic mix of instruments made from household items like kettles and cooking pots.
Jimmy Tan, 72, said he has been performing with his homemade instruments for over a year now to collect money for charity.
The former keyboard player said the monies collected were donated to various charitable causes including the St Joseph's Home, an orphanage in Betong and several causes in Thailand.
He said any type of household items can be turned into musical instruments including spare parts from vehicles, chairs and pillows.
"This drum set took me about 10 days to make," he told theSun when met after his performance today.
Tan said the drum set he was playing was made out of an old kettle, a cooking pot, several beverage tins and a plastic container.
The self-taught musician said he has been interested in making music since his school days and that he used to fashion makeshift instruments from unwanted items even then.
Even though his playing attracts a crowd, Tan said he was not without detractors as there were people who looked down on his interest.
He said people have labelled him as "crazy" for fashioning instruments out of junk and there were those who doubted such instruments could make good music.
"There was a lady who said I was a disgrace to the people of Penang," he told theSun but stressed such negativity will not hinder him from his passion.