LEON DURUPT, a Canadian music director of the Terrace in Shekou, a Thai restaurant in Shekou featuring live music, is currently engaged in shaping a new Filipino band to suit the local market.

Durupt, who has lived in China for 10 years, can speak fluent Mandarin and even sing Chinese songs beautifully. During his nine-year stint in Qingdao and Shanghai, he rose to fame in the bar music circles there.

About nine months ago, Durupt moved to Shekou and immediately restarted his musical career. He cares very much about the live music at the bar, and impresses the audience with his singing and dancing. As a result, he has become one of the main attractions at the bar, and has given interviews to local media outlets like the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, Shenzhen Radio Station and Shenzhen TV Station.

His favorite songs include popular Chinese songs like Can Love Come Back?, Simple Love, Find Yourself, Ghost and I Don't Care. These Chinese songs are part of Leon's nightly performance, and they can easily bring the audience to life.

However, old English songs like Casablanca, Sailing and Hotel California are not as popular among Shenzhen's young crowd, Durupt found after a brief market survey. So he is now considering introducing some modern chart-toppers from North America and Europe.

Leon has confidence in his decision and soon local bar-goers will be able to hear the modern English songs at the Terrace.

Editor: Wing