Excerpt from Malay Mail Online   Mr Gambus leaves jazz legacy Acclaimed guitarist and lute player Farid Ali dies after long illness Monday, December 30, 2013 - 13:10   FARID Ali, 50, was undoubtedly one of the finest jazz guitarists to emerge from this region in 30 years. It is he who brought the gambus to the world stage. The Singapore-born artist first laid his hands on a guitar at the age of 11 and soon started performing at talentimes and small parties. His parents had hoped that he would pursue a career in law but that changed drastically when Farid was introduced to the music of George Benson through the album, Weekend in LA. This led him to discover other guitar greats including Chet Atkins, Earl Klugh, and Pat Metheny. Later, his musical interests broadened but he was most keen on jazz, ethnic and world music. Farid left for the US to receive academic training at the Guitar Institute of Technology in California, and at the...