Gabriel Gene Regojos was only five years old when he picked up his first musical instrument, the violin. His grandmother had enrolled him in a music class, little knowing that he would discover his purpose in life there. But as a young boy, Regojos considered music as simply a hobby. He and his cousins being...
Category: Music
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Portraits in Jazz: Sandra Lim-Viray never says never
(Fifteenth of a series) Back in the day when traffic between Quezon City and Makati did not take a grievous toll on one’s money and sanity, QC-based friends and fans of jazz artists performing southside would, with at least a few hours’ notice, drive over to catch the shows. Notable jazz southies included the classics...
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Yes, yes, yo, yo, rap is here to stay, to glow, to grow
The first time I heard and saw a male black rap singer on MTV, I was amazed. In the 1990s, such a performer with that rhythmic, staccato-like rendition was hardly ever seen in the local scene. It was as if he was reciting a poem by T. S. Eliot (although white), with J. Alfred Prufrock...
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Manila Symphony Orchestra soloist EJ Villarin in the eyes of his mother and teacher
The violinist Emanuel John “EJ” Villarin would have just turned 21 when he is featured in the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s first concert for the season, “Music for Peace,” on May 24. He is the soloist in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 61. Nevertheless, EJ is still that child, that boy, to his mother,...
The joy of being JQ: playing with the AMP Big Band at the National Museum. —PHOTOS FROM JQ'S FB PAGE
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Portraits in Jazz: JQ and the will to chill
(Fourteenth of a series) Most everyone has a fan story. One of my own stories happens to be on keyboardist Joey Quirino (JQ to family and friends), who I hit some time ago on Messenger with a YouTube clip of Rickie Lee Jones live in concert, singing the June Christy standard “Something Cool,” which claimed...
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Portraits in Jazz: Dave Harder’s moveable feast
(Thirteenth of a series) Between his sets more than a year ago at our favorite jazz bar in Cubao, Quezon City, bassist Dave Harder and I fell into a conversation about the creative life and how best to live it under imperfect circumstances. We agreed that while the creatives’ wish list was long and often...
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Portraits in Jazz: Simon Tan’s season of grace
(Twelfth of a series) A good harvest seems to be on the horizon for original music particularly in the jazz corner, heralded early last year by new releases headlined by bassist-composer Simon Tan’s 11-track Walotao album. Walotao is also the name of the band comprising eight of our finest musicians, including Simon: Isla Antinero (trombone), Joey de Guzman (alto...
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Portraits in Jazz: Isla Antinero tunes up with the best life
(Eleventh of a series) Something about trombonist Jose Aris “Isla” Antinero immediately suggests a solidity of spirit that goes deep beyond the full smile and firm handshake. His is a restful presence; with remarkable economy of movement, he holds the serene, thoughtful gaze of an apsara while waiting for his turn on stage. Off stage,...
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Portraits in Jazz: For Mel Villena, the swing’s the thing
(Tenth of a series) To be around Mel Villena—musical director, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, and raconteur nonpareil—is to check your worries at the door. No day is too dreary that he cannot save the rest of it from crumbling, unmendable, at your feet. At least that’s what it feels like every time he’s at the baton...
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Gary V wears his faith on his sleeve
Unbowed by a health challenge that forced him to cut short the opening night of his concert “Pure Energy: One More Time” on Friday, Gary Valenciano delivered a powerhouse performance on Sunday, proving why he remains one of the Philippines’ most enduring icons. On Saturday night at the hospital where Gary was being treated for dehydration, his wife,...