The Modern Gentlemen

Matt Goss and Jason Kouchak share two passions: music and chess. Matt and Jason both believe that chess has often helped them through dark times in their lives, as Jason says it has helped them "find the squares of light in the darkness". 

Jason Kouchak

The Lyon-born composer, singer and pianist has demonstrated his great passion for chess on many occasions. Whenever possible, he combines his music with chess. In 2010 he donated a giant garden chess set for children to Holland Park in London. He donated a similar set to Meadows Park in Edinburgh.

In 2016, Kouchak celebrated the role of women in chess, as queens of the game, with a ballet that was performed at the British Museum in London and in New York. In 2017 he choreographed and composed the theatre production "Queen's Journey" at Judit Polgar's Global Chess Festival. In 2019, Jason Kouchak participated in the London Chess Conference with a contribution to the education and empowerment of women in chess. Two of his five albums have been recorded at Abbey Road Studios.

Jason Kouchak not only loves chess, he also has a gift for sharing his enjoyment of the game: Jason Kouchak at ChessBase...

Matt Goss

In the mid-1980s, Matt Goss (*1968), his twin brother Luke Goss and their school friend Craig Logan formed the synth-pop band Cavier, which they later renamed Bros. Between 1987 and 1989, the trio had several top-ten hits in the UK and the USA and completed two world tours.

Their best-known hit, 'When Will I Be Famous', is regularly covered by other musicians.

In January 1989, however, the two brothers split with Craig Logan. This was followed by a lengthy dispute over the rights to the band name. Matt and Luke Goss continued as a duo. However, the band broke up in 1992. Bros sold a total of 16 million albums during their existence. Luke Goss became a musical theatre performer and actor. Matt Goss pursued a solo career as a musician and worked on other musicians' projects. His autobiography "More Than You Know" was published in English in 2005 (Harper Collins Entertainment).

Through Robin Antin, manager of the Pussycat Dolls, Matt Goss was offered a permanent residency at the Palms Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip in 2010 and performed regularly with the Matt Goss Show at Caesars Palace Hotel. In 2010, Matt Goss performed his show at the sold-out Royal Albert Hall in London.

In 2017, Bros reunited with Matt and Luke Goss. The announced show at London's O2 Arena sold out within minutes. This was followed by a UK tour of seven shows in London (2), Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow, all of which sold out within minutes.

Matt Goss and Jason Kouchak have previously worked together on music projects and recorded at the famous Abbey Road studios. Now they have formed a permanent music project together, which they call "Modern Gentlemen".

Matt Goss (left) and Jason Kouchak

"Essentially, it's about the art of being a true gentleman in the modern world" (Matt Goss and Jason Kouchak)

They have not lost sight of their second shared passion: "Chess and music are connected in many ways. A gentleman and a player are two sides of the same chessboard or piano".

The two musicians made a firm promise some time ago, in keeping with the Latin motto "Dictum Meum Pactum" (My word is my bond) as a gentlemanly code of trust, to always meet regularly to play chess, usually in the Knightsbridge area. And a glass of champagne is also part of the deal.

Matt Goss and Jason Kouchak celebrate chess as Modern Gentlemen

The goal is the game, not the result. "You never lose at chess, you just learn," says Matt Goss. In his latest video you can also see him playing chess.

In the following video by Jason Kouchak, the concept of time and space is emphasised by the hourglass in the video.