Saturday, November 25, 2017
NOV. 24, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
One can’t really predict the outcome of each and every Friday jam night prematurely before it is all over. There will always be surprises awaiting to happen. Just when I thought that it was going to be a dead night, with still no guests around at already past 11pm, things turned around quickly for the better. Immediately, when the first wave of guests arrived at about 11:20, the place suddenly sprung into action with more regulars and a lot more showing up to party.
It was Johnny Wassmer and Girrard Jison who were the first comers followed by Air Force brats John-John de Leon and Paul Diano some minutes later. All four came from some other gathering but similary decided to swing by the music room for their next stop. Soon percussionist and all-around musician Vincent Garrucho walks in to join. Though still short of a proper band line-up, it was just too late in the evening to pass up. It was almost midnight and we haven’t set foot on stage yet. Vincent and I will have to do for starters. And so, Vincent wound up tinkering with the guitar while I played bass.
At past midnight the jam officially commences. The band became more cohesive with house band honchos Tinnie Esguerra and drummer Bubui Colico joining in. Husky vocalist Monchie Henares finally makes an appearance fresh from another event and went on board as well.
Youthful and talented musician Pau Villanueva, her dad and her mom Carmen along with a horde of friends and musicians in total jubilation, made a surprise visit to celebrate her band’s 2nd place finish at the just concluded Wander Battle band Competition where they just came from. Congratulations to Carousel Casualties band for the win. More power to your group.
The house band took a break and allowed the youngsters stage time to enjoy and have fun themselves. Looking very much hyped from a successful night they had, the young blood jammed their hearts out on stage to the delight of Pau’s parents and the rest of the appreciative crowd they tagged along. Comprising of musicians from 3 different bands, the group played and collaborated on some of their signature song choices. You can tell how familiar their songs where to their friends as the crowd were actually singing along with them while they were performing. Amusing indeed. Kudos to the guys.
After the guests had left, the house band got back on stage, carried on and played some more till about closing time. Most of the regulars were still around chilling and having a few more drinks. Left on stage were just Tinnie, Vincent, myself and Monchie’s husky voice. Incidentally, by this time drummer Bubui had already made a french exit. By the way, Luisa Distor did a few songs too.
And so, what i initially perceived to be a dead night turned out to be something special. As always our regular Friday Jams are unpredictable and full of welcome surprises. God is great. I praise and thank Him every minute.
Tonight (Nov. 25 Saturday) the music room will be exclusively reserved to host Martha Aquino’s post 22nd birthday celebration. Happy birthday Martha! Another great night in the offing. Already looking forward to it.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, November 18, 2017
NOV. 17, 2017 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE AND PHOTOS
Tranquil and relaxed was to be the general description to last night’s Friday Jam mood in comparison to the past weekend. With a few regular guys showing up, if not only for another welcome stranger who had unceremoniously ventured to search and experience the place first hand, there was no compelling story to tell.
Music room explorer Aksu Arola (a Finnish nationale, if I am not mistaken) and his Filipina wife made a surprise visit to check out our humble place. Apparently, he had been a fan of our weekend jams and had been checking out our jam videos regularly posted on facebook. His wife had confessed that she had actually witnessed him watching our vids with interest repeatedly in the past before eventually deciding to come over.
Like the others who had done the same before and now had become music room regulars themselves, he too gambled and took the chance coming out to explore to see for himself what was in store being a part of it. Obviously an aficionado, Aksu was a musician himself and played the guitar. He was totally committed and eager to come to jam with the guys. And so he did finally get his wish.
Aksu came well prepared and brought along his gear complete with his guitar and effects. Along with bassist Rick Trinidad, keyboardist Pecky Casuela and myself on drums, we were good and ready to jam. As a personal preference, our newbie musician opted to play the blues and some slow rock tunes where he was comfortable with which we readily obliged. Our new guest gave a good accounting of his talent contributing a unique blend of his guitar playing style alongside the band. We tried a few bluesy and jazzy inspired progressions to test his adaptability and versatility but eventually sat it out to try out some other time.
Aksu and his partner ( I apologizes for not recalling her name) didn’t plan to really stay very long as they had to run to tend to their newly born child (3 months old) waiting at home but overstayed till past 2am obviously enjoying their time with us. Residing in a condo complex not far from our location, it won’t be surprising to see them back soon. Welcome to the music room Aksu Arola and wife.
Later on at the Magic Hour, the band became more progressive with guitarist Joaco Marco, percussionist Vincent Garrucho, vocalists Monchie Henares and Tony Tirol adding to the list. We had so much fun recounting and reviewing old time favorites with the likes of Steely Dan, James Taylor, Calapana, Michael Franks and a lot more with Joaco around. The jam went on continually till about sunrise just a tag before 6am. We are all glad that Joaco finally found free time from his ultra busy schedule and be with us again. Such a key player for the houseband, I hope Joaco can come more frequently from now on. After all he is a pillar and an important cog, so to speak, to the house band. Crossing my fingers and toes on that one.
Special thanks to Roger Salazar, Girrard Jison, Nikki Segundo and Luisa Distor for their presence as well.
Already looking forward to next week’s jam. I thank and praise God for giving us the opportunity!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, November 11, 2017
NOV. 10, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE
Timely, just a few hours after tropical storm “Salome” had crossed and left our shores, the rains stopped and the weather improved considerably just in time to give way to our much anticipated Friday Jam Night gathering. The forthcoming long weekend helped, as well, resulting to favorable traffic conditions in most thoroughfares, as some vacationers must have already taken advantage and skadoodled to some out of town destination.The evening turned out to be extra special having granted our humble place the honor to host again an important occasion. Celebrant Mayette Clemente, her siblings Nando & Toby Alberto along with his “wedding inaanaks” Eloisa Mae and Paulo Laqui decided to drop by to spend and enjoy the evening for an extended birthday celebration (actual birthday was Nov. 8) in the music room. It is always an honor and a pleasure for me to be a part of such an event. Our belated birthday greetings to Mayette.
The guests stayed and partied tirelessly from start to finish with the celebrant and her siblings staying till closing time at nearly sunrise at past 5am. The group even brought along a sumptuous spread of food comprising of spicy chicken wings, baked macaroni, chips, a bottle of sparkling wine and sodas generously prepared for everyone to partake. Our gastronomic cravings totally satisfied. Thank you so much!
The band comprising of Rick Trinidad, Vincent Garrucho, Bubui Colico, Tinnie Esguerra and Monchie Henares was on queu and productive as well giving ample entertainment for the whole evening. We started off with just Rick, Vincent and myself on board but quickly made up when the rest of the other band mates showed up. Naturally Mayette, Toby and Nando had their stage time doing vocals with the band as well. Kudos to Mayette for being game and a trooper despite nursing a sore throat. Likewise to Nando and to music room newbie Toby for their vocal contribution. Oh i almost forgot...the young couple Eloisa Mae and Paulo also had their share playing bass and percussions with the band at some point. Good jam guys!
Special mention to my dear high school batchmates Jun Bediones and Appie Ramos for their invaluable presence. Truly a blessing to continue to see and be with childhood friends of more than 40 years. Indeed, we’ve gone a long way. I hope to see these guys again very soon. God bless and good health to them both.
And so another fun and glorious weekend at the music room had transpired. We look forward to more and more exciting times ahead. As always, i thank and praise God for each and every opportunity.
Till then…..
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Monday, November 6, 2017
Sunday, November 5, 2017
NOV. 3, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE
An early start welcomed our Friday Jam Night and prospered throughout the evening all the way till about sunrise with a respectable number of attendees and musicians around to party. Some had even signified to come as early as 7pm to make a head start. Fortunately, the weather and traffic condition cooperated and posed no obstacle to the guys. Surely another marathon night of fun and frolic worthwhile for those who made it.
Dear friends Monchie Henares and Arabelle Jimenez came ahead of the pack, arriving early just in time for dinner. They even brought along a generous supply of sumptuous home made spaghetti that Arabelle prepared to add to the meal i had prepared for them at the dinner table upstairs. We did take our sweet time satisfying our gastronomic cravings before we headed down to the music room.
After dinner we were welcomed by more guests and friends who had already arrived. Percussionist Vincent Garrucho, his daughter Maxine and her friend were already in the room as well as guitar wizard Anton Atengco and drummer Bubui Colico.
The guys took their sweet time, too, settling down while savouring and enjoying the yummy pizzas that Bubui brought along. Four big party boxes all in all. Plastic bags of chips courtesy of the other guests and ice cold beers in the cooler were all out for the taking. Time to party!
Finally, the jam commences with Anton on lead guitar, Rick Trinidad on bass and Bubui on drums. Balik-music room stalwart Richard Parcia played rhythm guitar and tinkered on the keys at some point while Erwin Dimaculangan played 2nd lead. Vincent, on the other hand, was on percussions and flute.
Seeing that all the bases were already covered was indeed gratifying. The more the merrier, as I always say. After all, i do have all night to have my chance to play...no problem at all. A perfect time for me to handle the snap shots and videos for the gathering.
The band played a diversity of genres from Rock to jazz to fusion to classics to OPMs alternating band members, trying out each specific song choices for hours. A few minutes of toilet break and some smokes at the smoking area was all the respite available between sets.
It wasn’t surprising that after hours of continuous playing fatigue will take its toll. In effect, at around 2am the stage suddenly turned quiet. At this point, some musicians and guests will have their fill and already be heading for home. Thanks guys!
It was 4:30 am when we finally got our second wind back. With mostly the regular house band guys left to play, it was time for the Magic Hour. Spearheaded by the main man Tinnie Esguerra, we were still able to do countless tunes with Vincent, Monchie and myself along side. We must have had too much fun that we found ourselves ignoring the time concluding just before 6am. What a night! As always, I praise and thank God for the opportunity.
Thanks to all the other guests who joined us. Special mention to my wife Vicky, sis-in-laws Ana and Tintin, good friends Bambi Rubio, Luisa Distor, Johnny Wassmer, Alan Rufino, Myron Reyes, Randy Soliven, Frank Resulta, Michael & Amar Puyat and their friends and to the rest of the guys that i failed to mention…thank you so much! We hope to see you all next time soon.
And so another night of fun, bonding and blessings for all of us. Praise be to God!
Till the next time……
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
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