JAZZ REVIEW

Putting the zing in that swing

There weren't a lot of familiar names in the lineup Friday for the third annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival at Catalina Bar & Grill. At least not for anyone in the audience who wasn't Philippine. Although singer Charmaine Clamor has begun to get some much-deserved attention as an appealing new arrival, many of the other artists are best known in their native Philippines.

But surprise! The program was a delight, a nonstop string of first-rate performances testifying to the high quality of Philippine musical talent as well as to the global reach of jazz.

Pianist Tateng Katindig, Philippine-born but an active Southland player since he moved to Los Angeles in the early '90s, opened the evening with a rhapsodic take on the standard "A Beautiful Friendship" before digging into an up-tempo romp through a group of imaginative variations on "Caravan."

Far less known in this country, singer Mon David was the winner in 2006 of the first London International Jazz Competition for Vocalists. His set, ranging from a stunningly improvisatory reading of "Footprints" to the grooving lyricism of "I Remember You" was the stuff of world-class vocalizing. At a time of real paucity in top-ranked male jazz singers, David showed the potential for a significant breakout.

The same can be said for guitarist Johnny Alegre, whose pair of original tunes -- "Offering" and "Barnabas" -- managed to invigorate his inventive lines with Pat Metheny-like drive and a sound reminiscent of Gabor Szabo.

Alto saxophonist Julius Tolentino took a different tack, roving across jazz history, including the bebop licks of a Charlie Parker-inspired "I Can't Get Started" and the honking, bar-walking-style "Jacob's Bounce."

A pair of pianists followed. Veteran pianist-composer Toti Fuentes, joking with the crowd and looking hearty after recovery from cancer, played a gorgeously lyrical rendering of "Alfie." Victor Noriega's "Pandangguhan," a take on a traditional Philippine folk song, blended fiery virtuosity with irresistible swing.

The evening's most remarkable set was provided by the versatile Abe Lagrimas. After playing sturdy drums to back the other acts, he took center stage, playing a harmonically lush version of "The Nearness of You" before demonstrating the ukulele's jazz possibilities with his own swinging "Centipede."

Clamor, wrapping up the impressive program, offered a pair of numbers celebrating the roots of the evening: an incisive transformation of "My Funny Valentine," titled "My Funny Brown Pinay," followed by the proudly declamatory "Ako Ay Pilipino" (I Am a Filipino).

Our Dear Emil Mijares has passed away on October 15, 2007.  In his honor, JazzPhil-USA names its annual scholarship The Emil Mijares Annual Scholarship.

 Our 2006 Lifetime Achievement Awardee, the grandfather of Pinoy Jazz, Mr. Emil Mijares, is now under hospice care in Buena Park, California. For those of you who are not aware, he suffered a severe stroke on September 5, 2007. He was getting better for a while; however, Emil suffered another stroke after a couple of weeks. The doctors say he has a few days left to live.

 We, at JazzPhil-USA, ask for your prayers and positive thoughts for Emil and the Mijares family.

If you would like to share fond rememberances, anecdotes, and words of encouragement about our dear Mr. Mijares please send an e-mail to us at JazzPhil-USA. We will collect these beautiful thoughts and deliver them to the Mijares family.


Sincerely,

JazzPhil-USA

Mr. Emil Mijares has now fully recovered. In fact, he started performing again.
Check out his website: emilmijares.com  for performance dates.


 3rd Fil-Am Jazzfest organizer, Michael Konik, Charmaine Clamor & Emil Mijares



 Michael Konik, Charmaine Clamor, Lace Alcoy, Naxos Recording Artist,
            Richard Ickard with his baby, Leah, Emil & Gabi Mijares

The LA Times, LA Weekly and LA City Beat have all named the 2nd Annual Fil-Am Jazzfest as their "Critic's Choice" of the weekend - an unprecedented mainstream media affirmation for a Filipino musical event.

December 8, 2006

Hear vocalist, Charmaine Clamor, interviewed by Megan Marlena on the KKJZ 88.1 FM morning show (6:30 & 8:30).

December 7, 2006



Watch Philippines-based vocalists Mon David and Sandra Viray on  L.A. Kababayan today, December 7, at 4:30 PM at KSCI-18.

December 3, 2006

JazzPhil-USA's 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival is the Los Angeles Times critic's choice for this week!
(Los Angeles Times, Calendar Section, p. 15)

Second Annual Filipino Jazz Festival

It may sound like an odd combination - Filipino jazz - but the genre's been popular in the Philippines since World War II. Last year's successful festival at Catalina's paved the way for this year's event, which showcases an impressive lineup emphasizing the growing numbers of young Filipino jazz stars. Featured performers include singers Charmaine Clamor and Mon David, along with veteran artists Emil Mijares and Toti Fuentes (Don Heckman).

December 3, 2006




JazzPhil-USA Congratulates The Lost Combo For Winning Annual Talent Search!

One of JazzPhil-USA's missions is to conduct an annual talent search to help promote and cultivate young and up coming musicians and this year belongs to The Lost Combo.

The Lost Combo is a high energy six piece contemporary jazz ensemble whose original music brings listener through a labyrinth of emotion and sound. These young and talented musicians met at California State University Northridge (CSUN), School of Jazz Muisc. What started as an educational project has evolved into what is now an emerging sensational jazz combo with a steadily growing fan base. The members are: Genevieve Artadi, vocals, BM in Jazz Studies and graduated cum laude, recipient of the Outstanding College Jazz Vocalist Award at the Reno Jazz Festival in 2006; Solomon Katz, sax and flute, has a BM in Jazz Studies and is currently attending CSULB for a teaching credential in music education; Aya Toyoshima, trombone, surrently attending CSUN School of Music in Jazz Studies; Daniel Firouzi, keyboards, received the Jazz Solo Award at the 2006 Reno Jazz Festival; Elizabeth Riordan, double bass and electric bass. member of the CSUN Jazz A Band while earning a degree in Jazz Studies; Brian Henspeter, drums and currently studying jazz at CSUN.

They will be featured on December 10, Sunday, at the 4PM show. For tickets and information : www.jazzphil-usa.com or
323/512-5543.

Proud sponsors of the 2nd Annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival and JazzPhil-USA are ABS-CBN -The Filipino Channel; Immigration Lawyer-Atty. David Zuckerman; Tribune-USA; Weekend Balita; FreeHam Records; Special Moments Video and Digital Video Editing; Elizabeth Reyes; Blackjackloans.com; Thelma Sugay Innovative Marketing and Colombo’s Restaurant.

JAZZPHIL-USA PRESENTS THE VERY BEST OF FIL-AM CULTURE


Filipinos and Filipino-Americans are known throughout the world as some of the finest musicians on the planet. There is hardly a cruise ship, hotel lounge, or nightclub orchestra anywhere that doesn't have a talented Pinoy sharing his talents with appreciative listeners.

The jazz genre is no different. Some of the greatest jazz artists in the business are Filipinos. Although names like Toti Fuentes and Emil Mijares are well-known to natives of the Philippines, most listeners in "the mainstream" are not aware that these fine music makers share a Filipino heritage. Indeed, when the Pinay vocal sensation Charmaine Clamor broke onto the American jazz charts last year, many radio presenters, going by the sound of her voice, wrongly assumed she was African-American!

An organization called JazzPhil-USA is helping change the perception.

This nonprofit group is dedicated to promoting Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in jazz, showcasing their talents not only to proud Pinoys but to thousands of mainstream American listeners who have been enjoying Filipino jazz musicians for decades without necessarily knowing they were hearing genuine Filipinos. Founded in 2005, JazzPhil-USA, an American cousin of the Jazz Society of the Philippines, works tirelessly to promote Filipinos in the most American of art forms: jazz. JazzPhil-USA conducts talent searches, sponsors cultural seminars, and, most notably, presents the very best in Filipino jazz in spectacular concerts.

One of JazzPhil's founders and board members, Mr. Bobbie Garcia, musical director of the Brown Brothers choir and the renowned harmony quintet CRESCENDO, says, "We couldn't be prouder of the contributions our people have made to this uniquely American form of music, where individual expression is the sound of liberty. And we're committed to keeping the tradition alive."

Fellow JazzPhil-USA board member Ted Benito, the respected theatrical producer and director, says, "We know how talented Filipinos are in every type of music. Only recently has society at large begun to take notice of the incredible artists our community produces." Benito and JazzPhil-USA board member John Mina, President of the  of Fil-Am Library, cite the great triumph of Mon David, the Manila-based singer, in the 2006 London Vocal Jazz competition, as a magic moment for Pinoy jazz artists. "Mon David's victory helped put 'our people' on the musical map. He is exactly the kind of artist JazzPhil-USA is proud to promote."

Thanks to JazzPhil-USA, music lovers in Southern California will get to hear Mon David, Charmaine Clamor, Toti Fuentes, CRESCENDO, and many other legends of Filipino jazz -- including Mr. Emil Mijares -- at the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival.

JazzPhil-USA promises the finest Filipino jazz artists ever assembled on one stage. Held December 9 & 10, at Hollywood's world famous Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club, the 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival is a shining example of Filipino culture at its very best.

Show times for the 2nd Annual Filipino-American JazzFest are: December 9 at 8 &10PM, and December 10 at 4 & 7PM. Tickets are $30 for the 8PM show on December 9 and $25 for the rest. Catalina Bar & Grill is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028. For more information: www.jazzphil-usa.com, or 323/512-5543 ext. 2.

Proud sponsors of the 2nd Annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival and JazzPhil-USA are ABS-CBN -The Filipino Channel; Immigration Lawyer-Atty. David Zuckerman; Tribune-USA; Weekend Balita; FreeHam Records; Special Moments Video and Digital Video Editing; Elizabeth Reyes; Blackjackloans.com; Thelma Sugay Innovative Marketing and Colombo’s Restaurant.

November 26, 2006



President of Jazz Society of the Philippines to Headline 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival in Hollywood

The 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival, held December 9 & 10, at Hollywood's world famous Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club, is billed as "the greatest Filipino jazz artists ever to appear on one stage." Fittingly, the President of the Jazz Society of the Philippines, Ms. Sandra Lim Viray, of Makati, is making the long journey across the Pacific to perform for hundreds of American fans.

Known as "the Queen of Filipino jazz," Viray is a mesmerizing vocalist who recalls Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Carmen McRae -- with a splash of Pinay spice!

Like many great jazz artists, Sandra Viray had her start in the classics. She took up formal music lessons at an early age (piano and marimba in particular) and became the youngest soloist of her church choir. Her call to perform in front of stage lights came early too, when jazz fusion pioneer Boy Katindig recognized her talents, followed by the Philippine bossa nova daddy, Bong Penera.

Sandra Lim Viray doesn't just sing - she touches people. Countless appearances with the greatest musicians in Manila, including her husband, Mr. Jun Viray, drummer of the popular JFK ("Jazz for Kicks") band, have made her one of the most beloved performers in Filipino jazz. Last year she ascended to the presidency of her birth country's most important jazz organization.

"I am absolutely thrilled to return to Los Angeles and the Filipino American Jazz Festival," Sandra Viray said. "Last year's Festival was a beautiful experience, and I am eager to sing again in the country where jazz began."

Show times for the 2nd Annual Filipino-American JazzFest are: December 9 at 8 &10PM, and December 10 at 4 & 7PM. Tickets are $30 for the 8PM show on December 9 and $25 for the rest. Catalina Bar & Grill is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028. For more information: www.jazzphil-usa.com, or 323/512-5543 ext. 2.

Maintaining its tradition of supporting emerging artists, JazzPhil-USA continues to accept submissions for its annual talent search. The winners (one instrumentalist, one vocalist) will be featured at the Festival. Applicants may send bio, photo and audio sample to contact@jazzphil-usa.com, or 7510 Sunset Blvd. #250, Hollywood, CA 90046-3408.

Proud sponsors of the 2nd Annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival are ABS-CBN -The Filipino Channel; Immigration Lawyer-Atty. David Zuckerman; Tribune-USA; Weekend Balita; FreeHam Records; Special Moments Video and Digital Video Editing, Elizabeth Reyes; Blackjackloans.com; Thelma Sugay Innovative Marketing and Colombo's Restaurant.

 

November 7, 2006










Young Fil-Am Jazz Artists to Headline the 2nd Annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival!


What do Victor Noriega, a Seattle-based pianist, Charmaine Clamor, a Hollywood-based vocalist, Julius Tolentino, a New York-based saxophone player, and Abe Lagrimas, Jr., a Hawaiian-based ukelele player and drummer have in common?  They're all young Filipino-Americans creating a buzz in the mainstream jazz community.

Both Charmaine Clamor and Julius Tolentino released critically acclaimed CDs last year and both received extensive airplay all over America at mainstream jazz stations. In fact, Charmaine Clamor has earned the reputation of being the first Filipina jazz vocalist to find success at mainstream airwaves with her debut CD, “Searching for the Soul.”  Many of listeners and disc jockeys who have heard Charmaine’s  “bedroom eyes voice” (All About Jazz, 2005) for the first time thought it was coming from a mature African-American. They were shocked to discover that this unusual sound was originating from the vocal cords of a Filipina who was born and raised in Subic, Zambales. Charmaine Clamor started singing at the age of three, entertaining passengers on the back of the buses on her way to Manila, “whether they liked it or not.” Charmaine, who originally followed the healthcare path as a licensed physical therapist, is now enjoying the rewards of a professional singer. Her CD tour led her to prestigious jazz venues all over the world, including Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, the Iridium Club in New York, the Triple Door in Seattle and the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila.

She is now represented by the same agency that handles jazz greats like Nancy Wilson, Andy Bey, Otmaro Ruiz, and Carmen Lundy.

Although Charmaine has embraced American jazz, she remains proud of her heritage. Charmaine is profiled in the current issue of Filipinas Magazine. In the article she reveals that one of her musical goals is to incorporate traditional Filipino music into her performances. She is famous for singing at least one Kundiman during her shows, arranged in a fresh, jazzy style, which often bring tears to the audience's eyes (even non-Filipinos!). Because of her pride in Filipino artistry, she founded The Jazz Society of the Philippines- USA. It is a dream come true for Charmaine that the festival and the organization have grown into a world of possibilities for all the talented Filipino and Filipino-American jazz artists.

Julius Tolentino’s latest CD, “Just The Beginning” received heavy airplay in the United States . This youthful New York-based sax player was born in Bloomfield, NJ. He originally studied piano at age 7, clarinet at age 10 then transitioned to alto saxophone at age 13. With this instrument he strives to produce a unique portrayal of jazz. Upon graduation from Hartt School of Music under the tutelage of the legendary Jackie McLean, he moved to New York. He is now one of New York’s hardworking musicians and has played with Natalie Cole, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Marleena Shaw, and  Kevin Mahogany, among others. He has toured all over the U.S., Europe, South America and the Middle East.

Abe Lagrimas, Jr. was the surprise hit of last year’s festival with his rendition of Chick Corea's “Spain” --- on his ukelele. This “skilled, sophisticated and polished" (Honolulu Magazine, 2001) drummer, composer, ukelele prodigy and multi-instrumentalist is a graduate of Berkelee College of Music. While most artists truly excel in one field, Abe excels in at least two. He's received numerous awards as a drummer but is also causing a lot of buzz in the jazz scene because of his virtuosity with the ukelele, which he only started playing in 2003! His latest CD, “Dimensions,” feature him as the drummer, composer and ukelele player. Abe was born in Guam but currently resides in Hawaii. He is one of Hawaii’s finest and busiest musicians.

Victor Noriega is an original voice in piano from Seattle. His latest album, “Alay,” is composed of traditional Filipino songs treated with a contemporary perspective. According to a jazz critic, the album is a “great recording, that displays a lot of  class and high quality of musicianship." In his young career critics have compared Noriega to Brad Mehldau, Erik Satie and Dave Brubeck. In 2005 he received the Emerging Artist Award from Earshot Jazz. Based primarily in Seattle, Victor has toured the West Coast a number of times, and holds regular bookings in Vancouver and Portland jazz clubs. Lately Victor has been collaborating and performing with notable talents in New York City. He is also established in the fast-rising Shanghai jazz scene, which hosts a slew of international musicians. He will be one of the headliners in the upcoming Manila Jazz Festival in February 2007.

These hot young Filipino-American jazz artists will all be on one stage along with other legendary figures at the Second Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival on Dec 9 & 10 in Hollywood, CA. The Festival is getting a lot of buzz in the mainstream jazz industry because of its “world” appeal and the diverse lineup of Filipino artists scheduled to perform.  Show times are: December 9 at 8 & 10PM, and December 10 at 4 & 7PM. Tickets are $30 for the 8PM show on December 9 and $25 for the rest. Catalina Bar & Grill is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028. Tickets are available at: www.jazzphil-usa.com or 323/512-5543 ext. 2.

Proud sponsors of the Second Annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival are ABS-CBN -The Filipino Channel, Immigration Lawyer- Atty. David Zuckerman, Tribune-USA, Weekend Balita, KKGO 1260AM, FreeHam Records, Special Moments Video and Digital Video Editing.

October 31, 2006

                                                                                        


Two Living Legends to Headline 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival

    What other concert event could you find two legends of Philippine jazz music from two corners of the globe? During the 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival, the legendary Toti Fuentes and Emil Mijares are appearing together at the world famous Catalina Bar & Grill, on December 9 & 10.
    
    The Jazz Society of the Philippines, USA (also known as JazzPhil-USA) will be presenting its first Lifetime Achievement Award to the “grandfather of Philippine jazz,”� Mr. Emil Mijares. Mr. Mijares has written and produced numerous television and radio jingles from the 1960s through the late 1980s for major agencies in Manila. He was the musical director for the first Metro Manila Pop Festival in 1978, the First Philippine Jazz Festival in 1985, and for numerous Philippine productions. He has won the Cecil Award for Best Musical Director (1978), Aliw Award for Best Jazz Performer (1983) and Best Musical Director (1985). Mr. Mijares was Asia Magazine's pick as Asia's Top Jazz Artist (1971), and in 2004 was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by Celebrity Chronicle of Los Angeles. He continues to perform in Southern California.
    
    Mr. Toti Fuentes, the Chicago-based pianist, arranger, conductor, has performed with Sergio Mendes and Brazil 88, Aretha Franklin, and Jeffrey Osborne, and conducted the North Dakota Symphony Orchestra and the Louisville Pops Symphony Orchestra. Fuentes, who has lived in the United States for many years, admits his true passion has always been Brazilian music. "My heart always searches for a way to make Brazilian music -- and my obsession with Sergio Mendes is a case in point. He was a big challenge for me since 1966. I would meet him in person more than 20 years later in 1988 and I shared the stage with him. It was an honor for me to be face-to-face with a legend."

    Rare for a professional performer, Toti Fuentes lived clean all his life. He is said to neither smoke nor drink. No nights out, either -- unless he performs. But in a horrible irony, he was diagnosed with a rare gastro-intestinal tumor about two years ago and was given a few months to live. His recovery was nothing short of a miracle, and his presence brings new meaning to the phrase "living legend." Fuentes celebrates his life pursuing his greatest passion: music!

    Both Emil and Toti are ecstatic to be back at the Catalina Bar & Grill for the 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival, which they feel is an important historical event for the Filipino community. They will join five other Filipino artists on Catalina's famous red-velvet stage.

    The Festival is getting a lot of buzz in the mainstream jazz industry because of its “world”� appeal and the diverse lineup of Filipino artists scheduled to perform.  Show times are: December 9 at 8 & 10PM, and December 10 at 4 & 7PM. Tickets are $30 for the 8PM show on December 9 and $25 for the rest. Catalina Bar & Grill is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028. For more information: www.jazzphil-usa.com or 323/512-5543 ext. 2.

Mon David, the winner of the 2006 London International Jazz Vocal Competition, to headline the Second Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival on December 9 & 10 in Hollywood!

Mon David, a much-celebrated Philippine-based jazz vocalist, is headlining the 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival on December 9 & 10 at the world-famous Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, California.  

Though he has been a respected and multi-awarded songwriter, musician and singer in the Philippines for more than a decade, his latest accomplishment, winning the 2006 London International Jazz Vocal Competition in March of 2006,  has placed him (and the Philippines) on the international jazz scene.  

Mon David, a product of the University of the Philippines, has four albums to his credit, all of which have received numerous awards. He has shared the stage with jazz luminaries such as David Benoit, Eric Marienthal, and Boney James. Mon David is a Kapampangan and in 2004 was awarded the “Most Outstanding Kapampanga in the Field of Arts, Music & Culture” in 2004 for his efforts in reviving Kapampangan songs in mainsream music. JazzPhil-USA is honored to be the first to present Mon David a man of rare artistry and vocal prowess, in the United States.

The 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival is currently getting a lot of buzz in the mainstream jazz industry because of its “world” appeal and the diverse lineup of Filipino artists scheduled to perform.  Show times are: December 9 at 8 & 10 PM and December 10 at 4 & 7PM. Tickets are $30 for the 8PM show on December 9 and $25 for the rest. Catalina Bar & Grill is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028. For more information: www.jazzphil-usa.com or 323/512-5543 ext. 2.

August 30, 2006

JazzPhil-USA's Talent Search Begins on August 19th

JazzPhil-USA is now accepting submissions for its yearly talent search. The judges will select two winners - one instrumentalist and one vocalist. Qualifications: 1. Must be 18 years or older. 2. of Filipino descent. 3. Must sing or play jazz. Please submit your bio, photo, audio sample (MP3) to contact@jazzphil-usa.com or your press package to : 7510 Sunset Blvd. #250 Hollywood, CA 90046-3408. The winners will be featured at the 2nd Annual Filipino-American Jazz Festival on December 9 and 10 at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, California.