Tonal Alchemy started off in 1996 as the Wilson Quah Trio after Leader/Pianist Wilson graduated from Berklee College of Music majoring in Jazz Studies returned to Penang. In 2002, the trio changed its’ name to Tonal Alchemy and performed in the first edition of Penang island Jazz Festival in 2004 with Ruby Rozells (vocals) and Franco Francisco (drums) who have since passed on.

Maintaining their trade mark as a full-fledged Penang jazz group, besides Wilson, the other members of Tonal Alchemy are Chong Chee (bass) and Jonathan Yee (saxophone) who both played in the PIJF 2004 edition and current members Meng Goh (drums) and Vivian Adram (vocals). The group possess a wide repertoire which includes originals and covers of traditional and modern jazz tunes arranged in their own distinctive style.