Back Home Piano Solo by Reuben Kee himself.
I first met Reuben Kee over ten years ago, at a void deck opposite the block where I live. Our hands and feet were black with dirt when we introduced ourselves, clad in the all-white Taekwondo uniform. We met every Saturday evening in that way, and for that entire year, all through our transition from white belts to green belts, his caring nature and winning smile were the highlights of my weekly regime in our neighbourhood.
I quit Taekwondo after obtaining only the green belt, but Reuben kept going and reached the highest level he could achieve.
Contact with Reuben was few and far between after, but there was the movie outing at Junction 8, the chicken rice meal at Kim San Leng, the jogging session at Bishan Sports Stadium, the rollerblading teaching session at my void deck, the miso soup he cooked for me at his place, and several chats over ICQ. We would also play computer games at his place, of which his delight I unfortunately could not share. The crux of my house visit was his mind-blowing musical performance, previously on his piano, then on his clavinova, and later on his clavinova with a complete synthesizing programme in his computer. I was privileged to have listened to his music develop over his initial contact with the piano, and was impressed when his repertoire improved by leaps and bounds within a mere couple of years. Music came naturally to him, and I would spend hours just listening to his music and travel indulgently to the places he brings his listeners to.
He encouraged me to persist in my musical desires, which he effectively did. But just like the case with Taekwondo, I had quit.
We lost contact amidst our busy schedules, what with him being the head prefect of his school.
Perhaps we really did have common interests, for the next time I saw him was at one of our dragon boat races. Taller, darker, and very much cuter, his winning smile once again caught my eye and this time we exchanged words with our hands and feet wet from the races.
But just like the scenarios for Taekwondo and music, I stopped rowing when days in Junior College ceased, while he went on to row for SAFSA (Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association), and eventually the Singapore National Dragon Boat team.
Contact with him had ceased until I found his profile on Facebook less than two weeks ago, and we exchanged even fewer words, but here was where I learnt the extent of his fame, and how his unique name rings a bell to so many people’s ears, for not only was his music sought and widespread on the internet, it was used in musicals and major arts productions. The last time I saw him perform was an unexpected appearance as a guest pianist when I went to NYP (Nanyang Polytechnic) to support my cousin at a string concert. Reuben’s achievements in music at that time had already soared, and his performance resonated in the auditorium and in everyone’s hearts. In recent years his good looks and physique were notably appreciated too, and he was crowned Mr World Singapore 2007.
I hadn’t replied him on Facebook to update him about my life, but was thinking how we should meet up for a drink in our neighbourhood to catch up soon. He may be very famous and a very busy man, but I hoped that he would spare some time to do so.
I never expected to never have that chance.
Reuben, along with 4 others in the national dragon boat team of Singapore, perished in an accident in a Cambodia dragon boat race.
Reuben had always been exemplary of successful dream-pursuing. He had passion for what he did and pursued them with extraordinary vigour. Be it with Taekwondo, his music, his animation, and dragon boat rowing. He bravely chose the path trodden by few, and established himself to be really good enough to shine in the arts scene. His legendary music will continue to inspire us and propel the unmotivated.
I am still shocked to learn about this, about how a “freak wave” and “freak currents” took the lives of these young lads in a sport close to my heart.
May strength be with all who are grieving over the loss of the five Singaporean talented youths.
Rest in peace, Reuben. You will be dearly missed by many.
