Singapore music legend Iskandar Ismail dies after cancer battle
Legendary Singapore musician Iskandar Mirza Ismail died of lung and brain cancer early Saturday morning at age 58, according to media reports.
In his long career, he has been a composer, arranger, conductor, music director, recording producer, performer and educator. He was awarded the Cultural Medallion for Music in recognition of his achievements.
He was in charge of the music productions and direction of the National Day Parade and composed songs for the annual Chingay street parade, Singapore Youth Festival and Lunar Year celebrations for many years.
Iskandar was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010. He underwent chemotherapy, but his condition also affected his brain cells.
He was married and had a son and daughter.
Tributes poured in online for the master musician. On Twitter, 987FM DJ Joakim Gomez, who worked with Iskandar for "Singapore Idol" in 2006, said, "My heart is in pain & shock this morning at the passing of a very happy, positive and cheerful master musician, Mr. Iskandar Ismail."
Theatre director and Lush 99.5FM DJ Loretta Chen said on Facebook, "My dearest friend , mentor and music maestro Iskandar Ismail passed away quietly, peacefully this morning surrounded by his loved ones and his amazing wife Erna Ismail, who stood resolutely and gracefully with him throughout."
"Thank you for the music , the inspiration, your unwavering faith and belief in me and the life lessons, sir," she added. .
Here's a video interview of him by mrbrown back in 2009:
