Jam at Pete's Place - Nov. 29, 2019 - I'll Never SeeYou Smile Again by Bob James & Earl Klugh)

NOVEMBER 29, 2019- FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

It turned out to be an early evening for me when I decided to come down prematurely to the music room to prepare and to study a new song assignment we had hoped to play. With the little time I crammed into learning it, I was just glad I was able to gain enough grit to have a semblance of preparedness to try it out with the band later on.

My mind absorbed, I had apparently forgotten to open the front door to welcome early bird Gab Villanueva when he arrived because I was too preoccupied and distracted studying the song. He had to find his way elsewhere via the gym and through the back to get to the music room. Totally hilarious.

Soon, a group of young musicians arrived, mostly graduates from the conservatory of music. With their solid musical foundation, these youngsters are destined for greatness. A flutist, a keyboardist, a female bassist and a drummer friend they are comprised of (sorry I forgot their names). Welcome back to the music room guys.

Bassist Rick Trinidad, percussionist Vincent Garrucho, Monotones’ front man Ryan Nacino and myself were the first wave of jammers on stage. To no surprise, I again found myself alternating on bass and drums having no legitimate drummer in our band around. The young musician guests quickly jumped in to join the fun timely to reinforce the line-up. Ain't it nice to have a wind instrumentalist on board.

Later on, more friends and family showed up including fellow Air Force brat Deanna Aquino and her grandchild guitarist Fonz Cabal. Among the others who were present were my wife Vicky, sis-in-law Ana Mara, her daughter Tina and a couple of newbies they just met in Le delice by the names of Dj Callum and Astrud Schuck. Luisa Distor, Alan Coscolluela and Pinky Gaa were in the house as well. I think there were still random others I did see frolicking around the place while I was busy on stage.

At already past midnight, house band honcho Tinnie Esguerra and our newest ever musical talent in the room’s list of great keyboardists, Herbie Buted both arrived at long last. With their presence, it was now time to do some more serious stuff. We indeed did some reviewing of last week’s tunes and tried out the latest song assignments as well. After numerous retakes (understatement) of every tune we recorded, we eventually got some respectable videos. I am happy. Praise God!

After the jam, Tinnie, Herbie, Gab and myself stayed around at the smoking area for a breather to unwind and recap on the successful jam we just enjoyed. It was already daybreak at just about 6am did we finally call it a night. There’s always a next time.

And so, another awesome night of great music unfolded that will last me another week. Already looking forward to next week’s jam. Thank you Lord for the blessing.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Nov. 22, 2019 - While still learning the chords to "I'll Never See You Smile Again"

NOVEMBER 22, 2019 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

The better traffic conditions, circumstantially or otherwise, could have been a factor to last night’s turnout with the majority of the crowd being legitimate musicians. Our last week’s aborted collaboration with musical stalwarts Tinnie Esguerra and Anton Atengco finally happened with both finally showing up, refreshed and longing to jam. We were successful playing some new tunes from the list with a couple more extras on the side.

The Joyrides showed up later, minus Jerin Benedicto, all fired up with music roomer Xyrus Judan leading the pack. Second group to perform on stage, the band played and reviewed some instrumentals in their repertoire with the wind section taking mostly in charge. Their solos and interaction of the saxophone, trombone and trumpet was always enjoyable to listen to for me. Good jam guys! We hope to see them back next month at the Christmas party.

Herbie Buted, another astute musician, was back in the room, lorded the keyboards at the music room’s prodigious "Magic Hour" with Tinnie, Anton and myself alongside. Bassist Rick Trinidad, who just got back from a family vacation in Singapore, was on board too. And yes, we didn’t have a drummer. Come hell or high water, the show must go on. No big deal.

Familiarly, Tinnie was again on fire and on a roll playing guitar. Anton outdid himself, as always, making it even more special courtesy of his new axe he recently bought in Japan. Hands down, my now ever favorite guitar among the many guitars in Anton’s arsenal. Congratulations Anton!

Also, glad to see flyboy Coy Dayrit back. Exhausted from flights to and from Bangkok, he decided to proceed straight to the music room before going home to recharge and chill after a long tiring day. A percussionist, tired and all, he will definitely not be denied of the energy to play. Without having the luxury of a drummer with us last night, he was more than welcome.

Overall, the jam was exceptionally fun and productive concluding at already past 5am. We could’ve gone playing forever but it was really getting too late. Tinnie and Herbie live far and really needs to get a head start. Well, there’s always next time.

Special mention to Gab Villanueva, Kiko Montecillo (sadly he didn’t get to jam last night), Luisa Distor (who sang a bit and manned the camera), and the many other guests who dropped by. Thank you all!

With no special event scheduled and happening next week, let’s see how the story will be like then. Surprise us!

See you all at the next Friday Jam!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Nov. 15, 2019 - Community jam feat Noel Cruz (Till There Was You)

NOVEMBER 15, 2019 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

It finally took its toll! After last weekend’s lucky break (or should I say blessing), worsening traffic conditions around the metropolis thwarted the gang’s resolve of making it to the room to jam with just a singular house band personality around to join me. The list of song assignments we had discussed and prepared to play last night will have to wait another time. But, as always, no matter how grim the situation seemed to be, something prodigious will eventually occur to compensate. When did it ever fail?

Among the house band guys who came to join me, it was only percussionist Vincent Garrucho who did show up. The rest were just simply unavailable and with some attempting to try but deciding to turn back and abort being stuck in traffic on their way over.

As always unpredictable, with the impending doom, the festivity suddenly picked up quickly and turned into a spectacle with a horde of newbie guest musicians lording the stage and come backing old friends flocking the room as well. Seeing friends who had not been around for quite a while is always a thrill for me.

It was awesome to see Coy and Tin Dayrit back in the room. Coy and Tin (they were still single then) were music room old timers and in a band together way back in the late 90’s. Coy was the band’s percussionist and Tin was their guitarist/vocalist. Now a couple, Coy is currently busy as an airline pilot and Tin, a dotting house wife and a mother to two beautiful children. After 9 years or so, I am happy that the two had resurrected from hibernation and is back in stride doing something they love to do, making music. Welcome back to the music room guys.

Last week’s newbie guitarist, Mias Oxinio, indeed returned and fulfilled his intension of bringing his band over to play. He arrived in full force with some band mates and a few other musician friends and did a great job. With the house band nonexistent last night, the newbie group had gotten full dominion of the stage all night. They took charge of the entertainment and subsequently doing the accompaniment for the vocalists who eventually gamely joined in.

It was likewise great to see Mark Longos back in the room after a long time in absentia. He came along with another comebacker, Emman Yuzon. I am truly glad that Mark had made good his intention of finally coming back to the room. After all, Mark had always been a regular fixture of the music room before. Welcome back Mark and Emman!

Our utmost gratitude to Ryan Nacino, Pau Villanueva, Gab Villanueva, Rich Cruz, sis-in-law Tintin Mara-Reed, Myron Reyes and to all the other guests and musicians for dropping by and making the evening a resounding success. Muchos gracias amigos y amigas!

And so, what can I say? Another successful and gratifying night had transpired despite traffic and all. As always, I thank and praise God for the blessings.

Let’s see what’s in store next week. Till then……

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Nov. 8, 2019 - Ryan Nacino & Tintin Mara Reed (Close To You)

NOVEMBER 8, 2019 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

With all the horrific stories of mega traffic happening in the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and its surrounding roads this past couple of days, it would be total insanity to even consider attempting to venture somewhere in this direction. Apparently, closed roads due to construction/repairs at the SLEX was the apparent culprit with thousands of motorists getting stranded for long hours, what normally could’ve taken a fraction of the time on the road, just to get to their respective destinations. Our location being smack dead center will definitely be a gray area for most motorists to traverse, an obvious dilemma for last night’s much anticipated regular Friday jam at the music room. So we thought.

Last night, for some strange reason or maybe just lady luck (btw, just an expression because i don’t believe in luck), while all the other roads were a mess, traffic conditions to and from our place was surprisingly totally green and go. In fact, some friends from as far as Quezon city, Ortigas, Pasig, Makati and the south made it safely over and back with no apparent problems whatsoever. Though only a few actually came due to the obvious and some other apparent reasons, traffic conditions in our case was surely not to blame if you were heading our way.

About last night’s account, the jam started late with just a few of us on stage. Regulars Gab Villanueva and house band honchos Vincent Garrucho, Rick Trinidad and Tinnie Esguerra were the main cogs around. A music room newbie from the south by the name of Mias Oxinio, a guitarist from M-Soul Pirates band, found his way over via online, joined us on stage adding to the band’s roster. We enjoyed and managed to jam despite the meager turnout while giving some ample stage time to our newest guest, as well.

The evening picked up a notch higher at past midnight with the arrival of my sis-in-law Tintin Mara-Reed and good friends Bambi Rubio and Luisa Distor. The three gamely joined us on stage and did fantastic vocals while keyboard sensation Kiko Montecillo, who had just timely arrived straight from another gig, took charge lording the keys. Monotones' front man Ryan Nacino caught up at the last minute and performed too.

What was initially brewing to be a relatively quiet night turned out to be a riot instead, so to speak. Thanks to Kiko and the rest of the gang, the jam was a lot of fun that went on till past 4am. Kudos to the ladies’ awesome performance, as well.

Next week, we hope and pray for some improvements in traffic management for the benefit of everyone, now that the Yuletide season is just around the corner. Nonetheless, come what may, the show will definitely go on at our regular Friday Jam nights. In God’s will and grace, the show must go on.

Hope to see you all then.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Nov. 1, 2019 - AG101 Max Garrucho (From Now On)

NOV. 1, 2019 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

After some days of rigorous planning, the AG101 (Anything Goes 101) pre-scheduled Halloween Jam at the music room finally pushed through with the main trio and their invited musical guests showing up to perform. AG101 Master Showman Michael Puyat along with guitarist Larby dela Cruz and percussionist Vincent Garrucho made good their promise to perform live on online streaming and for a live Pete’s Place audience last night, making it the second of its kind happening in the room in the recent months.

Among the other awesome talents who took part of the show were keyboardist Tinnie Esguerra, drummer Bubui Colico, bassist Xyrus, vocalists Jeng dela Cruz and siblings Max and Izzy Garrucho.

Already advertised on their AG101 official FB page, the live internet feed started right on time exactly at 9pm. At this moment, a few house guests had already arrived to watch timely right before it started. The hour long show commenced with Michael’s familiar vocal adeptness, wit and antics lording the stage with Larby and Vincent superbly backing him up.

Midway, the show made some impromptu changes temporarily cutting the program in half when the guest jammers were suddenly allowed to jam and take over the stage, something that wasn’t part of the original plan at all. Part 2 of the set program will just have to happen then when the kids were done.

In fairness, the youngsters did a very good accounting of their extended time on stage playing some nifty covers, progressions and even original compositions in their 1 hour or so marathon intermission stint. It was now about time for the original program proper to continue.

Part 2 was actually a planned collaboration moment with performers doing specific songs assigned to each and instrumentalists who was to join in.

Siblings Max and Izzy were as always a joy to watch and to listen to. Jeng did fantastic vocals as well. Vincent was at his usual element doing various things (like playing the flute, percussions, vocals and rap too). Pinoy guitar icon Nitoy Adriano, who just made a music room comeback, was a welcome development. He wowed and impressed everyone with his guitar virtuosity, schooling everyone on how it is to play with feel and emotion. Such greatness. Overall, an awesome line-up of stars indeed.

Furthermore, birthday girl Mayette Alberto-Clemente, who is leaving for the US next week to visit her sibling and timely to celebrate, impressed the crowed with her versatile vocals as well. Excellent job. Likewise, we are thankful to Mayette for the advance birthday treat. Ten boxes of pizzas was an absolute feast.

Towards the end of the festivity, the jam free flowed with the stage now open to other would-be jammers. Adriano sisters Michelle and Kate spearheaded the group and displayed what they do best. House band bassist Rick Trinidad was on board too, Shanghai based Tosho Murayama who came straight from the airport had ample stage time for himself as well. And so did Ryan Nacino, Pau Villanueva and their other three musical buddies who specifically sang, played the tenor sax and the Roland synth respectively. Great job guys!

As usual at post jam, some friends stayed longer to relax, chit chat and recap before heading home. It was exactly 4:55am when I locked up. All’s well that ends well.

And so another awesome night of music and bonding had concluded. As always, I praise and thank God for the blessing and opportunity. We enthusiastically look forward to next week’s story. Till then……

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!