The music of Ella Fitzgerald came to life as the Jazz Association Singapore (JASS) hosted its inaugural gala dinner. The Queen of Jazz, who would be celebrating her 100th birthday this year, was honoured with an enthralling performance by her protege Carmen Bradford, who flew in all the way from the US. She was accompanied by director Jeremy Monteiro who was also on the piano, as well as the Jazz Association of Singapore Orchestra. The evening was graced by JASS patron Tommy Koh, as well as guest of honour and minister for foreign affairs Vivian Balakrishnan. In his speech, he said that JASS aims to make "jazz a medium to reach out to all musicians. If you consider the state of the world today, where violence is generated on the basis of diversity, jazz is a medium that unifies and inspires despite the diversity".