Jam at Pete's Place - May 25, 2018 - Papo Xavier, Red Aquino and Arlene Orth on keyboards (The Hurt)

MAY 25, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

Last night the festivity started quite late at already past 10pm with the habitual music room early bird personalities notably missing in action after a few successive weekends of being punctual. A completely different batch of guests comprised the Friday jam, early on, with a handful of newbies showing up. Some regular guys did make it but did not really stay very long, much less jam on stage, except for a few who stuck it out till closing time. The young breed of musicians who had lately become consistent were elsewhere at another gig and just caught up towards the end. It was quite a subdued evening for a Friday night. Nonetheless, despite the slow night, the festivity still came into its conclusion by 5am.

It was great to see Maryana Arinez and newly wed Arlene Zabala Pascua (now Mrs. Orth) of Marmalade back in the room after such a long time. Maryana had been absent for some months while Arlene must have been gone for at least a year already. We wish Arlene the very best as she embarks on her tedious quest and ambition to migrate abroad to join her husband, Warren, in Alberta, Canada before the year ends.

The jam kicked off with Arlene on keyboards and 2nd vocals, Maryana on Saxophone, Ethan Smith (Maryana’s nephew) on drums, Papo Xavier on lead vocals and Rick and I alternating on the bass. Not knowing what to play, we ended up doing Papo’s usual repertoire of 90’s classic songs and his favorite OPM medley. It was a short but sweet set for the first batch on stage.

After a long lull (an hour at the least), despite short numbered in musicians, we decided to jam some more to liven up the evening as it was still quite early. Rick decided to play his usual familiar repertoire of Sting, Bill Withers, U2, Modern English and his favorite tagalog song to start off the 2nd wave.

The jam persisted and progressed somewhat when Ryan Pineda of the Monotones showed up to beef up the roster and played the guitar and then the keyboards. Balik-music room Stephanie Salazar, who was in the house too, gamely joined the band and rendered some blues vocals and at times played the drums.

Just before closing time, young female guitarist and composer Pau Villanueva walks in fresh from her gig at Guijo, Makati, along with her group of music room newbies she had tagged along to watch. It was already past 4am when she got up on stage and was just able to briefly jam before we finally packed up. It was all good for her, as she was already visibly spent and fatigued from her previous gig engagement.

I was actually expecting some other house band guys to come over but did not make it for some reason or the other. Would’ve been a different story altogether. No worries, as there is always next time.

Special mention to Macau based and Air Force brat Red Aquino, Nikki Segundo, Boots Bautista, Girrard Jison and his good friend Joey Lopez, to Tisoy and Iñigo Henares & company for their presence. And lastly but not the least, to Toby Alberto who showed up and generously shared some mouth watering Lechon Manok and chicharon to all the hungry. And yes, I forgive you for not bringing some of my favorite Shakey’s pizza flavor…hahaha! Again, there’s always next time.

To summarize, it was a simple and mellow night, but a blessing just the same. As always, i praise and thank God.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLES US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - May 18, 2018 - Night In Tunisia (upbeat version) feat Rj Pineda

MAY 18, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

After 3 successive weekends of acid rock and roll courtesy of the recent crop of music room regulars, the mood surprisingly but refreshingly reverted back to our usual familiar style of playing. Though still lagging in headcount with just some of the old timers present on stage, i felt that jazzy old vibe i had sorely missed coming back. My prayers were answered. Praise and thank God.

The evening started at a little past 8pm with early birds and band mates Jian Nisnisan and Justine Lim of the “Diesel” rock band arriving first followed closely by flyboy and guitarist Loren Orendain. Loren came in full gear along with his newest acquisition, a nifty set of Suhr amp head stock and speakers. House band percussionist Vincent Garrucho, fresh from his out-of town vacay and house band bassist Dennis Espiritu, who was surprisingly back after a long absence was in the house as well.

The jam started off quickly with Loren trying out his new expensive toy along with music room neophytes Jian, Justine and finally myself on stage. Soon, teen guitar sensation Joko Reantaso, who now is a fresh high school graduate, arrived and joined in as well. We initially ended up doing the blues and some chord progression for the four talented guitarists on board to jam and enjoy. It was a short but productive first set. In hindsight, I must say that Loren’s Suhr amp system was the best i’ve heard him utilize so far. Full, solid and clean was the sound it produced. Loren actually admits that he had finally broken free from the shell of being a total Fender purist and now more open to explore other stuff.

When keyboard wizard Rj Pineda showed up later in the evening, with Dennis playing bass, Vincent on percussions, Joko on guitar and myself on drums, it was time to play something jazzy. After quite a long break from it, the shift was totally exhilarating and satisfying for me to finally play something i enjoy doing. It felt like the good old days. Rj was at his usual genius playing in every way he is known and famous for. Dennis, despite being a little rusty from a long lay-off quickly came to his own in no time. Vincent, on the other hand, never lost his touch playing percussions while Joko was at his usual element as well. Without a vocalist around, we ended up doing some tunes in instrumental instead. Still satisfying, nonetheless. I have no complaints whatsoever.

We jammed till closing time and even made a couple of encores for Poch Camahort of Kublai’s when he suddenly walks in at 4am for a night cap. After the jam, Poch stayed a bit longer to finish his drink while we chatted and did some catching up. We packed up at exactly 4:30am. As i always say, all’s well that ends well…mission accomplished.

Who knows? This might just be a precedent for things to come. But whatever the future brings, i’m still grateful that, at least, i finally had my jazz fix last night. Thank God.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at pete's Place - May 11, 2018 – Going HipHop

MAY 11, 2018 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

If there’s a way to describe last night’s story, “odd” might be a good description. It was different in a variety of ways compared to the norm with the music even digressing to a different direction atypical to what we are commonly used to and known for. A few house rules may have been unintentionally broken in the process, as well, but not without being quickly rectified and corrected. Despite the idiosyncrasies, it did turn out to be interesting, fun, amusing and successful, nonetheless.

The first wave of guests arrived at past 9pm with music room neophytes from the Diesel band spearheaded by guitarists Jian Nisnisan and Justine Lim arriving first and looking all spruced up coming from another gig engagement. Brat Pack’s Xtine Mercado, Mean Jay’s Joko Reantaso and house band bassist Rick Trinidad was back in the room as well. Pau Villanueva walked in along with some friends who likewise jammed on stage along with the rest of the pack. Soon more newbie guests showed up with a large number being Pete’s Place Music Room first timers.

With Jian, Justine and Joko on board, it was no surprise to see an imminent guitar showdown once again. Even the new crop of musicians who arrived were awesome. The level of playing was remarkable in many ways. Each took turns playing different instruments, interchanging roles on many occasions to fill in. I actually had to step aside and just settle for some spurts of stage time so as not to be totally deprived. It was fine with me. As long as i see everyone enjoying themselves, i have no qualms about it. After all, that is what the place is designed for and the Friday gathering all about.

The jam was non-stop and relentless from start to finish, with great vocal renditions, ear popping wailing solo guitar licks and cymbal crashing episodes at times even flying off from the cymbal stand, the subsequent breaking of a drumstick and then shifting genres to hip-hop complete with rapping and all, believe it or not. It was totally insane!

However, with the influx of the recent crop of newbie merrymakers hanging out, there are some setbacks. Rules should be made clear and straightened out. I noticed that some of the guests bring freely their own drinks. This is totally against the house rules. You will have to pay for corkage to be privileged to do so. Also, there were times that the vocalists had their backs facing the audience during performances. Totally unacceptable too. Well, it’s good that the “Strictlly No Smoking In The Room Policy” was not broken. Through all the years, these rules were respected and therefore must and should be strictly applied and followed. We must rigorously live the culture!

Personally, I honestly miss the good old days. Playing jazz music at the magic hour and learning new songs and subsequently recording every effort each week was a total thrill. The bonding and interaction between the house band honchos, playing alongside the regular house band masters till 5am was something I always look forward to. Through all these years a lot did change and will still go through changes in the future, but one thing for sure, for as long as there’s the love of music running through our veins, Pete’s Place Music Room will always live on.

Notwithstanding, another interesting and fun night did transpire, afterall. With the influx of the new breed of regulars coming over, we anticipate the same in the week’s to come. Bring it on.

In just a few weeks, our humble place will be 38 years old. Almost 4 decades worth of valuable history. Surely a feat and a blessing anyone can be proud of. Time to gather and celebrate. June 15th is the date. Don’t miss it!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - May 4, 2018 - Warm-up jam feat Loren Orendain

MAY 4, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

After the mega successful 50th birthday celebration jam at the Valle Verde Country Club last Friday, we are back at our home base. Still reveling from last week’s epic jam and actually having no opportunity to play an instrument while rendering just a solitary song at the party, i was totally itching to play at the music room last night. Even if i finally had the chance to do so much later in the evening, just to allow the guest musicians first crack on stage, it was enjoyable and fulfilling, nonetheless. An abundance of great live music, food and friends galore was the menu for the day.

Earlier on, consistent early bird and house band guitarist Capt. Loren Orendain, surprisingly got himself dethroned by a group of young musician guests who arrived much earlier than him. The young guys from the rock band “Diesel”( minus the drummer), was back in the room for three consecutive weekends since the first time they visited and performed. With Loren already set up and reinforced in man power, it was time for the jam to start. It was purely classic rock and some chord progression jamming vibe courtesy of the flyboy and the young blood.

Soon, house band drummer Bubui Colico arrived beefing up the roster even more. He showed up with 4 boxes of my favorite pizza flavor, as he promised he would. Siblings Mayette Clemente and Nando Alberto, on the other hand, were present and brought 3 boxes of similar pizzas along with them, as well (…and more). Praise and thank God for these generous souls. I must have consumed 2 boxes of these goodies all by myself. Maraming salamat po!

Mayette finally had her chance to jam after a long time, doing some nifty vocals with Loren and Joko Reantaso on guitars, Bubui Colico on drums and myself on bass. We ended up doing some jazzy tunes and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”. As always, the most ever requested song for me to sing, i had to do “Spain” (Oh Lord, spare me next time please! ) all over again, this time undermanned with just Rick on bass, Joko on guitar and Bubui on drums. Surprisingly we pulled it off despite being short on key musicians. All’s well.

At past 2am, just when everyone had left the stage thinking that the jam was finally over, it turned out to be the opposite. The youthful and talented guitarist/composer Pau Villanueva and her musician friends suddenly caught up just in time, quickly setting up their gear and proceeded to jam. The jam was quite lengthy till closing time with myself volunteering to play the bass most of the time. It was an awesome jam of fun progressions lasting till about 4:30am. Great jam guys!

Special mention to my wife Vicky and sis-in-law Ana and their group mates, Bombie & Joanna, Randy Soliven and Raul Julian, to Jp Bugarin, Mark Ronquillo, Nikki Segundo, Teng Banico, Toby Alberto and his lovely daughter and to Joko’s dad Jay. Always glad to see these guys around.

And so concludes another recharging and fulfilling night of music friends and family, not to mention the overly abundant gastronomic delight to last us for a long time. Truly another wonderful evening for all. We look forward to next week’s jam night. Thank you one and all!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLES US ALL!