Jam at Pete's Place - Nov. 27, 2015 - reviewing (Playing For Time) Tinnie Esguerra, Rick Trinidad, Joaco Marco & Pete Lapeña

NOVEMBER 27, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Despite some no-shows, it was quite a good night for musicians with a respectable number of players showing up for the jam. Unexpectedly, some of the guys who had earlier disclosed of their intention to come failed to make it but was timely replaced by some others. With a benefit night scheduled Saturday for a fallen artiste, a proper rehearsal for the guys participating was the order of the day.

Houseband bassist Rick Trinidad, guitarist extraordinaire Anton Atengco and dynamic drummer Bubui Colico will be performing at the late Jim Ayson's tribute night at Skinny Mike's at the BGC tonight, Nov. 28th. They had identified themselves by the band name "Wooden Pecker". If you guys have time, you can check out our comrade's performance there tonight.

Mark Longos and Bobby Blues Band guitarist and vocalist Bobby Alvarez were the first guys to show up. Multi-talented musician and houseband honcho Tinnie Esguerra arrived next.

Alas at past midnight, vocalist Monchie Henares finally walks in the room to complete the roster for the evening. The mood was a bit mellow and sober compared to last week. We had difficulty picking up momentum as we had to allow more time and mileage for the band rehearsing. Nevertheless, we eventually made up for the slag at the customary " 3am magic hour" till 5am. After the jam, the guys stayed around a bit longer to chill and for more drinks before packing up and calling it a night. All was quiet and gates closed at exactly 5:35am. Mission accomplished!

Let me not forget to acknowledge our loyal friends, Ed Diano, Nikki Segundo, Gab Villanueva and his son Christian for their presence and unwavering support. Likewise to Joaco's cousin and music room newby Art Marco and his partner Gina. Godspeed guys!

And so another night of merryment and blessings unfolded. As always, I thank and praise God!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Nov. 20, 2015 - Cantaloupe Island With Paul Casili, Archie Jacinto, Tinnie Esguerra, Rick Trinidad and Pete Lapeña

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFwancE1BcU

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

And just when i thought that the place would be packed with guests with the traffic back to normal, it fell short of expectation. Amazingly, we just had a handful of guys who showed up for our regular friday shindig. 

In fairness, the APEC traffic woes everyone had experienced this past days were just a temporary inconvenience in exchange for a more rewarding consequence for the country in general. We hope and pray that all the accomplishments brought about by the summit will indeed make our lives a little better in the future. God bless the Philippines.

What made up with the lack of numbers in audience attendance were the influx of class musicians who showed up to the jam. We were blessed with a strong line-up with quality musicians on stage. Gifted saxophonist Paul Casili finally made it back to the friday jam after more than a year we had not seen nor jammed with him. He invited along an equally talented fusion guitarist by the name of Archie Jacinto to join in. Guitarist extraordinaires, Anton Atengco and Nitoy Adriano were in the house as well. And so was drummer and all-around class musician Pj Cura. Houseband honchos Tinnie Esguerra, Joaco Marco, Rick Trinidad, Dennis Espiritu, Monchie Henares and myself completed the evening's powerhouse.

We played mostly selected familiar tunes to allow our guest jammers to enjoy and fit in. Welcome on board, Paul and Archie. It is always great to have a good wind instrumentalist around with the likes of Paul. Archie gave a good accounting of himself, as well, with his proficient and creative licks and scales on the lead guitar. As expected, with Anton's talent, coupled with Nitoy's guitar wizardry unraveling plus the collaboration of the house band regulars, you can expect a great show.

The band played non-stop with the performers substituting one another when one just needs to take a break. And as usual Tinnie, Dennis,
Monchie and myself, capped the last wave until closing time at about 5:20am. Talk about the level of the jam at past 3am? Yes, a totally fulfilling and enjoyable jam to say the least. Thank and Praise God!

In a few more weeks, it's our yearly Pete's Place Music Room Christmas Party. It's the season to be merry! Definitely the happiest time of the year for me. We'll keep everyone posted.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

NOVEMBER 13, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Last night's festivity started off earlier than usual when at just past 7pm, while i was still settled back killing time, my gym assistant comes up to tell me that there was someone in the gym looking for me. Unable to gain entry to the music room, as it was still closed at the time. Lo and behold it was childhood buddy, fellow Air Force brat and flyboy Jet Bueno.

Based in Korea, Jet is in town for the weekend. He had decided to come early in consideration of foreseeable bad traffic conditions enroute coming from Quezon City. He was finally in the country to collect his music room shirt and to pick up Manny David's and George Limjoco's shirts, as well, to ferry to L.A when he flies there.

No time wasted, Jet grabbed and played Richard Parcia's limited edition 5-string Gibson les Paul guitar (just kidding..sounds kinky too..hahaha!) to officially start the jam. Bassist Rick Trinidad arrived next.
Soon, Beth Marquez Adriano and her two talented daughters Michelle and Kate walks in.

It was just a matter of minutes when Nitoy Adriano and Joaco Marco makes their entrance, as well. Finally, Tinnie Esguerra, Bubui Colico, Dennis Espiritu, Mark Longos, Monchie Henares and Kiko Montecillo completes the musicians who came out to join me last night. As expected, with a great band line-up comes great music!

It was also a night of meeting new friends. We welcome Robert and Tina Cruz to the Friday Jam. A hip and fun loving couple and our newest neighbor across the street. Barely 3 weeks as next-door neighbors, they blended well with the regular guys having much similarities in vibe. Even at past 2am, conceivably enjoying their time, the two invited some more cool friends to come over hoping to share their new found purlieu. Some of their guests even joined in the fun and sang a few songs on stage with the band. Welcome to our humble abode guys!

The jam turned out a joy with everyone completely in the zone. As a result, the music was solid and running like a well-oiled machine. What can you expect from having great musicians on board? It's incredible how making music can draw out that much rush of endorphines in one's system. What a blessing indeed.

Incidentally, we are still awaiting for word on a planned event ( I had mentioned in my update last week) to happen soon. Nothing final yet from the organizer. Will definitely keep you guys posted.

And so it came to pass. Thank and Praise God. Till the next Friday Jam. Hope to see you all then!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Nov. 6, 2015 - Watch how we learn a song (Baby Come Back) Kashli Saison mentoring the band on a new song with Tinnie Esguerra, Rick Trinidad, Pete Lapeña and Monchie Henares on vocals

NOVEMBER 6, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Traffic here, traffic there, traffic everywhere. So what else is new? You can just imagine an even more horrendous occurrence as the holiday season approaches. So tell me about it. Come rain or shine, the show must go on. As a prelude of things to come, the weekend jam started quite late with the first wave of guests arriving at already past 10pm. Just about the time when traffic should have already eased up.

Gigi Rubio and bassist Rick Trinidad arrived simultaneously with most of the other guys in succession soon after. Rick had a bit of a misfortune when his car barely made it to the music room with some engine trouble compelling him to just hitch a ride back home after the jam. Houseband honcho Tinnie Esguerra arrived at his usual time along with his trusty acoustic guitars as balik-musicroom and accomplished guitarist Kashli Saison made an entrance while Tinnie was setting up on stage. Quickly, the band line-up was looking good. With Kashli's versatility, talent plus a wide array of songs in his repertoire, it is always a treat to have him on board.

Friday jam sophomore, Densho Sy made a comeback after his band Stringman's Blues Project's maiden gig last week. Conveniently residing in a village nearby, Densho is a welcome addition to our short list of drummers on call. We alternated on drum chores on instances that I was playing bass. It will be good to have him around more regularly.

Vocalist Monchie Henares and Joaco Marco completed the whole band roster for the evening. Monchie had to brave the hopeless traffic condition from his place in Malibay on his way here while Joaco had to come from another venue in Magallanes where he had met up with some other friends. Thanks guys for the unquestionable loyalty and effort.

Overall, it was an enjoyable and gratifying jam with a lot of classic flashback songs from the different eras courtesy of our good old Kashli. We jammed non-stop with just a few short set breaks in between making up for the late start. We had a feast video recording some of the jams hopefully to share and to add to our collection. Another mission accomplished for the weekend jammers.

Let me not forget to thank Ed Diano for the pizzas! A generous and a self-proclaimed music room big spender, Ed treated everyone with boxes of pizzas timely and selflessly feeding the hungry mob. Take note..he was just content on eating a piece and the rest for everyone's taking. What a guy! Bless his kind heart!

There is an upcoming celebration/event brewing up soon but is still in the works. No definite word on schedule and details yet. If things fall into place it should happen very soon. Will keep you posted.

And so, another successful night of friends, music and sumptuous pizzas! As always, i thank God for all the blessings!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Oct. 30, 2015 - Free Jam with Bobby Alvarez, Nitoy Adriano, Densho Sy & Rick Trinidad (I Shot The Sheriff)

OCTOBER 30, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

In expression of my own personal choice, what used to be one of the most lavish and decorated event of the year, it's been seven years that had past since the music room had decided to stop celebrating all hallows eve. Not to sound unhip nor corny, having none of it was definitely no dilemma. We can do without it. Last night once again proved just that.

As scheduled, Karl Borbajo's new band "Stringman's Blues Project" was our special guest for the evening. A long time music room friend, Karl came with his wife Cecille and his kids. I can still recall her eldest daughter Paige, who was then a toddler, always around with them when they come. Now she's all grown up. Time truly flies so fast.

The guest band took the first crack on stage and played a set of classic blues songs they had prepared for the evening. Karl played the guitar and did vocals as well. Good job guys! We wish your band all the best!

Another surprise musician who arrived was blues man Bobby Alvarez. An astute guitarist and vocalist himself, Bobby took center stage and jammed along with our very own Nitoy Adriano, who came with some balik-musicroom musician friends, whose names, unfortunately, i missed to recall (darn senior moments..my apologies).

House band stalwart Tinnie Esguerra brought along a guest as well. He goes by the name of Jonathan, a keyboardist and plays jazz. He sampled us a few tunes tinkering a few bars on the keys but unfortunately could not stay long enough to jam with us. We hope to see him back again next time soon. 

Among the other regular musicians who showed up to jam were Joaco Marco, Rick Trinidad and Monchie Henares. At closing time, when most had already left, Tinnie, Monchie and myself tried some Christmas songs we had earlier planned to learn. Gab Villanueva did more than just being a spectator, joined us and played percussions with us as well. We video recorded our effort but we hope to brush up on it a lot more when the band is more complete.

Thanks to all the guests who dropped by. It's always fun to see the house packed with friends and merrymakers. Hoping the newbies who came had a memorable and fun experience. Till the next time guys. Godspeed!

And so another night of frolic, music and bonding concludes. As always a blessing to us all. We Thank and Praise God!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!