Ahmad C.B.

Singapore singer & composer who was born at Medan 20 Aug. 1915. At a young age his family moved to Malaya and later to Singapore where his interest in music began under the influence of relatives who were bangsawan performers.

He returned to Medan in the 1920s and during the 1930s began to work as a singer with the group Asmara Dana which toured Sumatra, Malaya and Singapore. While in Singapore with Asmara Dana, he was a competitor in the Professional Kronchong & Stamboel Competition held at the Happy World Stadium in 1936. He won first prize which included a recording contract with the Chap Singa label.

In the late 1930s he was also on the staff of Chap Singa, and he helped promote Chap Singa records by appearing in the Chap Singa Revue along with other artists who recorded for the label. This Revue appeared in Singapore at the Theatre Royal in September 1938 and later toured through Malaya.

In 1939 he formed Ahmad C.B.’s Kronchong Party which also included Miss Dinah, Doli, Miss Amelia and Jani. This group also toured through Malaya and possibly elsewhere.

He appeared with Miss Tina in the Shaw Bros. dramatic masterpiece Hanchor Hati along with Miss Rose, Haji Gong & Habsha. There was a Midnight Premiere at Sun Talkie on 26 June 1941. He also appeared in some post-war film productions in 1948–1950 including a two-reeler titled Malay Rhythms credited to Ahmad C.B. & His Serenaders.

He continued touring in the late 1940s. “The Malay film star and singer, Mr. Ahmad C.B., has returned to Singapore after touring the Indonesian islands, bringing with him his troupe. The troupe will perform at the Happy World covered stadium from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2.” [The Straits Times, December 28, 1947, 7]