Saturday, November 24, 2018
NOV. 23, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Just when things looked bleak and dismal with still nothing happening in the music room at already past 11pm, the tide shifted to high waters as soon as i heard that Tinnie Esguerra, Anton Atengco and Dolf Cruz were coming and already on their way over. I knew that somehow, with those guys around, it was going to be a good night. And I was spot on.
It was a perfect setting for the house band having the stage all by ourselves all night with no other bands around to perform. Except for a few friends and guests who showed up to watch, and a couple of young musicians who joined briefly, it was just us around. An exclusive night for the house band it turned out to be. Totally no complaints.
The jam was awesome and fun all throughout, even surpassing the magic hour moment, with keyboard lord Kiko Montecillo adding on to the already solid lineup. Mayette and Vincent had a heyday harmonizing on vocals with each and every song thrown at them. As always, Tinnie, Anton and Dolf outdid themselves with their keyboard and guitar wizardry, respectively. Vincent, who had planned to just have a few drinks, must’ve enjoyed so much that he ended up staying till closing time. With his daughter Izzy’s scheduled Confirmation set early in the morning, seemed like somebody ended sleepless. Kudos to these guys.
Let me not forget to thank Jp Bugarin, Gab Villanueva, Lesley Cabal, Raul Julian, Nikki Segundo, Ryan Nacino, Fonz Cabal, Rj Palma, Bobbit Uson, Red and Portia Aquino, Nicky Hidalgo and my wife Vicky for joining us. Thank you, too, to Nando, Nikki, Lesley and Mayette for taking charge of the camera whenever called for. All's well that ends well.
And so another jam night concluded. Unquestionably, the house band will live on to jam another day. What can i say but mission accomplished. After all, what seemed to be tame ended up with a roar…praise and thank God! Let’s see what is in store next Friday. Till then…..
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, November 17, 2018
NOV. 16, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Last night’s jam was quite unique with the mood a bit subdued comparatively from the past weekends. Though a handful of musicians did arrive, the house band ended up still handicapped with some key personalities not around. Notwithstanding, we still managed to play albeit with just impromptu songs and some chord progressions that randomly comes to mind.
The evening commenced early with drummer Bubui Colico being the first to show up. With Bubui’s hectic work schedule, it is always great to have him around and in action. Not too long after, guitarist/vocalist Richard Parcia walks in. Always glad to see Richard on stage performing and not just being a lurker on the side, as he was the last time. Roger Salazar’s subsequent arrival finally completed the first wave of jammers to start the ball rolling. Thanks to Pecky for his creativity on the keys, Bubui’s drumming consistency and perseverance, Richard’s timely spurts of adlibs on his nifty yellow Fender guitar plus my pathetic mediocre bass playing, we were finally in business.
Much earlier, female rock icon Lou Bonnevie along with her husband and musical arranger Toto Gentica and son Midi made a surprise visit to reconnect and say hello and to have a few drinks but did not stay long enough to jam as they still had other commitments to attend to. Wishfully, Lou might be able to join us to perform at our upcoming Christmas party next month.
Among the other house band musicians who eventually made it to the Friday jam where percussionist Vincent Garrucho and vocalist Monchie Henares. Gab Villanueva earlier came with his Ibanez guitar, eventually got back his wits and jammed again with us towards the end of the night. This time i had to make sure to video even just a snippet of his participation.
Air Force brats John Sarmiento, Rico Tayko and Deana Aquino along with music room regulars Cali Tiansay, Bambi Rubio, Nikki Segundo, Raul Julian and Myron Reyes were likewise in the house. My wife Vicky joined us and stayed for a while before she went up to the room to call it a night. Young aspiring musicians with the likes of guitarist Fonz Cabal, Monotones Ryan Nacino, Rj Palma and melodica player Pierce de Guzman were around as well.
The jam was in spurts too and at times undecided to what we were to do having no prepared line up songs to actually play. Nevertheless, despite the circumstances it was still fun and worthwhile. At jam break Cali Tiansay, Bambi Rubio and Johnny Sarmiento even had their chance to do some karaoke while the stage was void of performers.
By 3:30 am we were good and done playing. We packed up our stuff but some still stayed around to chill till 4:15am before we finally called it a night. All’s well that ends well, as i always say. Another jam night down in history. I thank and praise God for the blessing and opportunity.
Till the next jam night. Already looking forward to it.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, November 10, 2018
NOV. 9, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
With the house band handicapped and sidelined with a poor turnout, last night’s outcome was totally different from last week’s showing with a new group taking the limelight and lording over the stage all night. Still yet to come up with a good moniker to eventually call themselves, the band is a merger of young talents and seasoned musicians combined. Composed of young couples drummer Alvin and vocalist Jem Nacino plus guitarist/singer/composer Mon Calderon and vocalist Lily (Cruz?), along with dynamic bassist Anton Briones and Monotones’ front man Ryan Nacino playing the keyboards, the up and coming band’s repertoire is basically a fusion of Pop, OPM and original songs.
It was a prolific jam for the newbies starting off with some warm up instrumentals before the two awesome lady singers stepped in boosting and livening up the performance even more. Both Jem and Lily was a total delight to watch with both being powerful belters on stage. Mon and Alvin outdid themselves, as well, complementing each other along with their bassist who was a revelation too. Awesome future for this group if they pursue. I hope and pray for the best for this bunch of talents.
The regular music room guys who showed up eventually joined in the fun and collaborated at some point playing along with the guests towards the end of their stint. House band singer Mayette Alberto-Celemente and sibling Nando Alberto, Vincent Garrucho and daughters Max and Izzy, Rick Trinidad and myself surely won’t be denied of some jam time as well.
Thankfully, the guest musicians seemed to have had enjoyed their time and still alive partying at past 2am. Seeing everyone enjoying the Friday Jams in my humble place is my constant prayer. I continue to praise and thank God for giving me the opportunity.
Acknowledging and thanking Jem for the yummy pizza and the firey hot fried chicken she shared with everyone, and of course the great entertainment to boot. God bless them.
At near closing time, Gab the guitarist was finally unleashed. Thanks to Gab Villanueva for being game to finally sharing his guitar skills at the closing jam. It was a great jam! Imagine Gab w/ his classic Ibanez ax, up jamming and playing the guitar on stage with us. He is a natural, if I may say so. I was hearing a pinch of Ritenour and Benson in his rusty chops. Practice makes perfect. I just regret that i had failed to video record the milestone as i was busy on stage myself playing bass. Nevertheless, there will be a next time. Keep it up Gab!
And so at past 4am it was curtain time. Time to close up. Another great night! Praise and thank God!
Let me not forget to thank Nikki Segundo, Jun Bediones, Johnny Sarmiento, Paul Diano, John2 de Leon, Nicky Hidalgo, Bambi Rubio, Randy Soliven, Myron Reyes and to all the others for their presence.
Till the next jam night!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, November 3, 2018
NOV. 2, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Gratifyingly, last night’s festivity at the music room turned out to be a big success with the place packed with a horde of good friends from my Air Force family converging in the room to celebrate Fonz Cabal’s 16th birthday. Fonz who had explicitly opted and planned to celebrate in the room happens to be the musically inclined son of Leslie Cabal who is the daughter of Deana Aquino and Billy Cabal, contemporaries of my younger years in Nichols Air Base. Fonz showed much interest in music obviously taking from his late dad Billy, who was himself a professional musician back in the day. Rest in peace Billy. Nevertheless, it was indeed a fun musical night both for the guests and the regular guys too.
The festivity started at around 9pm with the usual youngsters, spearhead by Monotones honcho Ryan Nacino and some friends, showing up ahead and commencing the jam, quickly warming up the stage some minutes before the celebrant and his huge entourage arrived. Soon the venue was packed practically to the rafters, with the celebrant and his well wishers getting into the swing and mood of things. Fonz didn’t waste time and quickly joined the guys on stage, this time bringing along his own guitar with him.
Close to midnight, come backing house band personalities finally made their usual entrance, a preconceived pattern applied to give way for the other able musicians to jam ahead before they take over. Among the guys who showed up were Tinnie Esguerra, Rick Trinidad, Anton Atengco, Dolf Cruz, Vincent Garrucho and much later on Monchie Henares. Richard Parcia was around, as well, but opted to be quietly on the sidelines just to watch.
It was a productive jam for all the bands with the inclusion of a surprise performance from the illustrious Komiko Band’s front man Miko Cadiz who came and brought along some talented friends over. Miko’s group played a few songs to cover at least 30 mins. of entertaining stage time to the delight of the appreciative crowd around. Great jam Miko!
The house band, on the other hand, appears to have slowly gotten its momentum back being more and more visible, some consecutive Fridays already. The jam was great with the guys totally in the zone. I am definitely seeing some progress on the bands cohesion since the short time we got back together. If this continuous, it won’t take long before we could get back in the groove of things. Special thanks to bassist Kat Marquez for giving time to study the songs and ably filling in. With Kat’s presence and superb bass playing, the future is definitely bright for the house band.
My utmost gratitude to all my Air Force friends who showed up for the celebration. Special mention to John Sarmiento, Deana Aquino, Leslie Cabal, Paul & Nomy Diano and children, John2 and Michelle de Leon and children, Pio & Caroline Aquino, Rico Tayko. Also to Beth Marquez, Michelle Adriano, Steph Salazar, Gab Villanueva and to all the other musicians who performed on stage. Thank you one and all!
Till the next Friday Jam! See you all next week.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
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