Saturday, January 26, 2019
JAN. 25, 2019 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
After a week off from our Friday night jam, we are finally back to our regular scheduled programming. It always seemed like forever for some of us every time we had to take a break and miss out on the huddle for some important reason. But as always, the feeling of anticipation, excitement and relief when we finally resume is most refreshing. Nothing like a good dose of the Friday jam to start the weekend.
As usual, the music room was all set and ready for action by 8pm, but the festivity started later on at around 9:30 as quickly as Monotones honcho and front man Ryan Nacino makes his entrance. Immediately, Ryan and I went up on stage to tune and warm up. Fifteen minutes later, we made more progress when house band bassist Rick Trinidad showed up to add to the roster. We jammed some impromptu chord progressions and got on stride as a trio with Ryan manning the keyboards, Rick on bass and myself doing the drumming chores.
Later on, Korea based, Air force brat, fly boy and childhood friend Jet Bueno, who came straight from a wake in Villamor, made it to the room too. I stood up and handed over to him the drumsticks to let him take over. House band percussionist and all around guy Vincent Garrucho showed up and joined in the fun as well. Beth Marquez with her talented daughters Michelle and Kate along with Pau Villanueva, Gav Sabalburo and Ryan Pineda, who were already around, comprised the first wave of musicians on call.
At the magic hour, the live music shot up some notches higher with more amazing talents getting involved. Brat Pack and Bleu Rascals’ drummer extraordinaire Allan Abdulla came back with a vengeance and made his presence felt even more showcasing his superb drumming skills along with keyboard wizard Kiko Montecillo who brilliantly lorded over the keyboards to compliment. Rick and I alternated on the bass while Vincent played the percussions to complete the band. Pau won’t be denied and joined in and sang some of her original work but with an interesting version and twist the group eventually came up with. I saw Pau, being the composer, enjoying and discovering what her work can actually sound like given a different jive and interpretation.
Well, it’s always an amazing experience to jam with excellent musicians with the likes of Kiko and Allan. The delivery, accuracy and timing was uncanny. Even the house instruments sounded better than usual. Virtuosity at its best indeed. The youngsters are so blessed to be able to hobnob with these guys and so are we. We should definitely count our blessings.
The jam finally ends at past 4am. After some chill out time at the smoking area with some of the guys still around, it was finally time to call it a night. After all it was already 5am. All’s well that ends well. Mission accomplished.
Thanks to each and every one who came and joined us last night. Special mention to Paul, Nomy Diano and their daughter Breanna, to John-John de Leon, Nikki Segundo, Carina Puruganan, Bambi Rubio, Paulo Mendoza and his uncle Wally and of course to my wife Vicky for being around. As the saying goes, it’s not the quantity but the quality!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, January 12, 2019
JAN. 21, 2019 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
As sure as pineapple chunks on my pizza, you can be certain that despite whatever setbacks it seem there are at our regular Friday gatherings, you can bet that some saving grace will eventually come up to make up for it. Last night was another classic example of that apparent phenomenon.
The evening started off slow in attendance persisting till closing time but the fun and energy that was generated on stage was totally awesome and electrifying. With just a few of us gathered to play, last night’s jam turned out to be one of the best we’ve had on a regular Friday night basis in quite a while.
The live music was unrelenting and flowing with all the performers giving it all. An impromptu pseudo mini reunion for the original Brat Pack band (minus David Koensigswarter) that placed 2nd at the prestigious International Blues Competition in Memphis some years back, comprising of Rj Pineda on keyboards, Xtine Mercado on bass/vocals and Allan Abdulla on drums, the guys found themselves together once more , albeit unintended, on stage jamming their hearts out practically all night to the delight of everyone in the room. It was totally exciting to see the band reminiscing old times and playing their familiar tunes like clockwork.
House band keyboard lord Kiko Montecillo joined the group but found himself playing the guitar (Kiko can pull it off too) as Rj was on the keyboards where he belongs. Xtine, as always, was smack in her element singing and playing bass while Allan was, as expected, phenomenal on the drums. Awesome group of talents indeed. The band eventually ended up doing 2 long sets till past 4 am.
Acknowledging the presence of Xy Bugarin and his loving family who came over to visit, purposely to show her daughter Jari the place prior to her 18th birthday after party scheduled early next month. Thanks too to Yx Bugarin, Loren Orendain, Rick Trinidad, Vincent Garrucho (played percussions with the Brat Pack too), Ryan Nacino, Ryan Pineda, Pierce De Guzman for joining me on stage collaborating as well as when Brat Pack was on break. Great jam too guys!
The stage was quiet and empty at around 4:30am but most of the other guys stayed on to smoke and relax outside at the smoking area before heading for home. The festivity concluded at 5:15am. All’s well that end’s well.
Please be informed that next Friday, Jan. 18th, there will be no Friday jam night. The music room will be out of commision as i will be out of town, along with the entire family to attend my niece’s wedding in Lian, Batangas. Our regular Friday jam will resume on January 25th. See you all then.
And so we bring this delightful story to a close. Another great evening of music shared and enjoyed with family and friends alike. As always, i thank and praise God for the blessing and opportunity.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, January 5, 2019
JAN. 4, 2019 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Our very first Friday jam for the year 2019 got off with a good start with a favorable turnout of attendees from all the age groups. Musical aficionados comprising of family, friends, the regular guys and first timers, as well, showed up in high spirits, welcoming the inaugural Friday jam of the new year with great and exciting live music.
Guitarist and flyboy Capt. Loren Orendain sustained onto 2019 his title of being the most frequent early bird in the room arriving on queue just before everyone else does. Didn’t take too long for him to set up his gear and start the ball rolling.
Just when we were tuning up our guitars and striking a few chords, house band percussionist Vincent Garrucho along with his talented daughters Max and Izzy and some of their friends suddenly barges in undeniably all fired up to jam. Quickly positioning his djembe and bongos on his chosen spot, Vincent briskly joined in to fill up the void playing percussions while a drummer wasn’t available yet.
Some of the regular young musicians were early too. Ryan Nacino and Fonz Cabal got on stage and joined us to add more grit to the roster. Soon house band bassist Rick Trinidad and house band drummer Bubui Colico were in the house as well. With powerhouse musicians comprising of Anton Atengco, Tinnie Esguerra, Dolf Cruz, Kiko Montecillo, Dante Bosch Xtine Mercado and Monchie Henares on board, apart from my consistent crappy playing, what can possible go wrong?
It was totally an awesome jam experience altogether. We dabbled with a variety of genres but predominantly played jazz most of the time, thanks to these brilliant musicians. We did revisit some old tunes with Bambi Rubio and Luisa Distor providing the vocals. Kiko, as always, contributed immensely to the group with his unquestionable virtuosity and diversity in playing the piano. Outstanding assemblage of talents indeed. What else can I say?
At past 4am, just when we were about to end the jam, a big group suddenly arrives. Spearheaded by Pau Villanueva and Ryan Pineda, the group came straight from another commitment along with other musicians, some of which were from Pau’s Carousel Casualties band. Them obviously eager to jam, i took note, heeded and then decided to go overtime to allow them to jam but only till 5am. All’s well that ends well.
Let me not forget to thank each and everyone who dropped by. Kudos to all of you!
And so our very first jam of the year comes to a close. A promising start to the new year. Definitely looking forward to an even more exciting times these coming months. More exciting events in store this year for everyone to look forward to. Watch out for it. As always, I praise and thank God for the opportunity and the blessings!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
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