Jam at Pete's Place - July 28, 2017 - Maxine Garrucho (Feeling Good)

JULY 28, 2017 FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

Surprisingly, traffic was not a problem on a stormy Friday night for most of the guests at the music room despite typhoon Gorio still lurking north East of the peninsula. It was rainy and windy since yesterday with isolated flooding in some parts of the metropolis. Though the gathering started relatively later than usual, it was reasonably attended and productive as well.

The first group of guys who walked in arrived already at past 10pm and were not among the music room regulars. Except for Mick Cadelina, who now resides in the US and currently with the LAPD was a former music room regular back in the 90’s. A good 25 years or so since Mick’s last visit, he seemingly never lost his touch playing drums when he took the sticks reminiscent of the good old days. His old buddies Ferdie Barroso and Jay Palma, realizing his past history with the music room, made sure to swing him over before he flies back to the states today. Welcome back to the music room Mick.

While the guests were just settling, a youthful stranger randomly walks in the door, supposedly another music aficionado looking for a place to jam. He nonchalantly introduced himself when i asked and said that he was from Merville and had found out about the place online. John Arcega, his name was, claims that upon recently discovering about our regular Friday gatherings decided to check it out for himself and possibly jam as well. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? A bustling bassist newcomer who wants to learn, he eventually got his chance to play along with the regular guys . We wish him well on his musical journey.

First on stage were newby John along with Nick Mangubat, Rick Trinidad and myself. Soon more musicians arrived. Master showman Michael Puyat and his accompanist Larby dela Cruz and his wife didn’t waste any time, joined the guys on stage shortly after they arrived. It was past midnight when they finally showed up. Vincent Garrucho and his daughter Maxine was next in line. Finally, Joaco Marco, Monchie Henares, Rj Pineda and Jun Bediones who was also in attendance completed the cast.

Incidentally, it was likewise a pseudo advance celebration for birthday boy Monchie Henares who is celebrating his natal day on Aug. 2. A surprise treat of a delicious and mouthwatering party sized Pancit Malabon from Amber’s was one of the highlights and indeed enough to whet your palate with its flavor and presentation. It was conceptualized and sponsored via overseas by his mermaid Arabelle Jimenez who is now in the US vacationing. Advance happy birthday to my crazy but dear friend and kumpadre Monchie and thank you to Arabelle for sponsoring the munchies.

Finally, the jam concluded with just Joaco, Vincent, Jun, Monchie and myself on stage till 4:45am. Mission accomplished, as i always say.

Thanks to my wife Vicky, Luisa Distor, Nicky Hidalgo and to everyone who joined us and made it all happen. Till the next time. Already looking forward to next week.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Joint Birthday Jam at Pete's Place - Tetel Band (Ulan)

JOINT BIRTHDAY JAM AT PETE' PLACE - JULY 21, 2017

Another epic evening unfolded at the much anticipated Joint Birthday Jam at the music room last night. A post birthday bash organized for our dear music room friends Richard Parcia and Bubui Colico. Barring the rain and traffic, family guests and friends of the celebrants flocked the place for a night of live music and frolic. Attended by a handful of musical talented friends and regulars, the jam was not-stop starting at around 9 o’clock till about sunrise at past 5:30am.

Lap steel guru Haro Echter, vocalist Tetel Serra along with celebrant Bubui were the first guys to arrive with co-celebrant Richard arriving minutes later. Soon the rest of the band showed up in full force all set and ready to play. After a night of rehearsals at the studio, last night was to be the big day, so to speak, for “Tetel” band.

Before the main band performed, some of the other band members took center stage, got themselves into the spirit and warmed up. For the meantime, i took the liberty of joining in to play bass, while the others are still busy eating and socializing. With a big spread of sumptuous food and goody’s brought in by the celebrants and generous friends to devour, i don’t blame them. Thank you to all the magnanimous donors.

Finally, it was time for “Tetel band” to perform. As expected, the band wowed the crowd with a long set of popular songs and medleys they had rehearsed and lined up to play. Vocalist Tetel Serra was at her usual element performing in tip top form along with equally dynamic birthday celebrants guitarist/vocalist Richard Parcia and drummer Bubui Colico, guitarist Erwin Dimaculangan, keyboardist Ralph Gulapa and Xyrus Judan their bassist.

It was a fitting and heartwarming tribute for Richard and company, made even more special with the presence of his family, along with his dearest mom, who was in attendance and the guest of honor. Welcome to the music room mommy Parcia and the Parcia clan.

Even after the main band was done, the jam went on unabated with the regular music room guys pitching in on stage. It was free jam from then on. Guitarist Joaco Marco, percussionist ( ….now flutist too) Vincent Garrucho, guitarist Joko Reantaso, bassist Dennis Espiritu, keyboard lord Kiko Montecillo and myself joined in with the rest of the musicians still onstage then. At long last, i finally was able to conjure some semblance of confidence to play and jam along with my new saxophone. A little more practice for me would definitely help. Hope i didn’t scare the rats and roaches away.
Before closing time, it was to be Kiko’s magic hour. Totally talented fella on the keys he is. Not even sunrise could have stopped us from playing but we had no choice but to call it a day at around 5:35am. Great jam indeed!

Let me not forget to thank everyone who came and made the evening awesomely special for our dear celebrants. Muchos gracias amigos y amigas!

And so the music room is alive and kicking once again. Praise and thank God for the blessing. We look forward to more fun, frolic and surprises on the weeks ahead.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - July 14, 2017 - Free Jam feat Xtine Mercado (Restart)

JAM AT PETE'S PLACE - JULY 14, 2017

Notwithstanding the rain, payday traffic plus the earthquake drill all happening on a Friday, the much anticipated Friday Jam Night survived and bounced quickly back out of the slump with a big flurry ending 2 weekends of drought in the music room. It’s finally over. We are back to normal. As always, I thank and praise God for the blessing.

Back to its zesty old form, once again the room was packed with family, friends and guests along with awesome musical talents performing all night long. Master showman Michael Puyat and his “Anything Goes 101” crew fulfilled their monthly sojourn at the room and took first crack on stage. They came in full force with guitarist Larby de la Cruz and his wife Jeng at the forefront. Larby was the main man on guitar and was chored to be the accompanist. Jeng did some nifty vocals and was herself a total revelation.

As always the sparkplug, Michael opened up their set with some cool and enticing vocals before customarily handing over the microphone to the others to participate. It was “open mic” for whoever wants to sing with the band on stage from then on. Larby was on guitar, Rick Trinidad was on bass while I played the drums. Great start indeed.

Next on stage was Ryan Pineda’s new band. Not being able to jam for arriving much too late last week, they made good their effort to jam and came back early (as i suggested) and with a vengeance to boot. They played an awesome set of originals by Pau Villanueva who herself sang and played guitar along with Ryan on drums and their bassist (sorry, I don’t remember his name). Their style of music is unique, catchy, fusionist and off genre, earning the attention and admiration of most in the audience. When asked, they said that they had not yet thought of a band name as yet. Such a promising young band that needs a name. No problem. For now, I christen them “The Megatones”.

Much later, more surprise talents arrived to perform. We welcome back Alex Salva to the music room. A young dynamic and ultra-talented pianist/singer and on his third stint in the music room, we are hoping to have him as a Friday jam regular guy if at all possible. Incidentally, Alex performs regularly at Shangri La Hotel from 3-6pm (not sure about the days..hehe), if you want to catch him. Brat Pack’s Xtine Mercado and keyboard wizard Rj Pineda was in the house as well. Both coming from another gig, they eventually found themselves back in room with still enough energy performing their best practically till closing time just before 5am. What a super climactic final set it was! Hats off to everyone!

Completing the band roster were drummer Bubui Colico, guitarist Joaco Marco, vocalist Monchie Henares and percussionist Vincent Garrucho. Well done guys!

Thanks to all my family, friends and guests who joined us too! Special mention to Jun Bediones, Selo Cruz, Rudolf Lietz Inc. group, Amar Puyat, Gab Villanueva, Luisa Distor, Ronnie Go & daughters, and my family, sis-in-law Ana Mara and nieces.

Next week, we are anticipating another promising and exciting evening of fun and music. Another special night of frolick to look forward to. If it does happen, i will definitely tell you all about it. God willing…God is in control.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Down In Brazil

JUNE 30, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

And so our stormy, traffic and timely payday Friday evening was to be the least attended jam night so far this year. Since the grand 37th year anniversary celebration two weekends ago, the music room’s turnout continued to dwindle in number and had shrunk from a handful to a dismal showing. Last night, we just totalled a headcount of a measly eight, myself included. Apparently, with whatever personal reasons, most of the other regular guys had not been showing up lately. No matter, life goes on for us at our humble Pete’s Place.

In hindsight, this wasn’t really something new. In the past, there had been many similar occurrences of this nature in more than 3 decades of the music room’s existence. There was even a time in our history that it was just Joaco Marco and the late Norman Venzuela (RIP) and myself in attendance for a good number of weeks. It is a phase we go through many times. Eventually good things will happen and the tide will change for the better. C’est la vie.

Incidentally, music room regular Gab Villanueva was the early bird and arrived at his usual time at past 8pm. One after the other, the rest of the other guys trickled in and by midnight we were a handful. House band bassist Rick Trinidad, vocalist Monchie Henares, Ed Diano and Luisa Distor (not seen in the photo album) were all present. And then, keyboard lord Catman Kiko Montecillo and house band rhythm guitarist guru Joaco Marco arrived at past midnight and at 2am, respectively, thus completing the cast. Luckily, despite the quandary and with just a few of us around, we still got our worthwhile and longed for jam fix.

The lengthy classic broadway stint at the first stage of the jam with Monchie and Luisa on vocals, Kiko Montecillo on keyboards and myself on bass was totally fun and entertaining. The Catman was on a roll and was flawless on the keys. Rick and Monchie played the drums just a few times but the band eventually managed to survive drummerless towards the end. Much later, the overall sound went up a notch higher when Joaco finally arrives and subsequently joined in. The jam persisted productively, and more reinforced, till past 5am. Mission accomplished. Thank and praise God.

Freezing, we had to turn off the aircon towards the end of the jam as it was way too cold. Something we don’t do very often, especially on a packed night. Well, that’s one notable positive advantage when there are not many people around. Definitely, no room for sweaty and smelly armpits for some, for sure (…eeeeuuuwwww and double eeeeuuuuwww!).

Thanks to the loyal few good friends who had come and joined me last night. You were definitely the heroes! My hats off to all of you….Bow!

And so, that’s how the cookie crumbled. Already looking forward to next week. Hope to see more of you guys then!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!