James W. Boyle

James W. Boyle, 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
Born
James W. Boyle

26 July 1922
Kelawai Road, Penang, Straits Settlements
Died8 May 1971
Penang, Malaysia
CitizenshipMalaysian
OccupationComposer, jazz musician
Known forComposing the Penang state anthem, Untuk Negeri Kita
ChildrenPamela Anne Miller (Boyle) and James P. S. Boyle[1]

Life

Boyle was born on the 26th July 1922 on Kelawai Road, Penang (in what was then the Straits Settlements) to Jeanne Moissinac and John Walter Patrick Boyle. 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 the 31st August 1957.

Death

On the 8th May 1971, Boyle passed away of an intracerebral haemorrhage.[2]

Reference list
  1. "A Tantalising Tribute to Jimmy Boyle". A Tantalising Tribute to Jimmy Boyle, Nostalgia, Tribute, Songs, Jazz, Trio, music, jimmyboyle.
  2. 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: 84–104 – via Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
  3. "Penang's Kelawi Road where the Eurasians set words to music | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
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