SEPT. 23, 2016 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Unrelenting traffic gridlock at Sales Bridge took a toll on some key personalities of the Friday jam last night when they found themselves stuck for hours on the way to the music room. Some had even decided to turn back and forego the trip completely and head back home..i can't blame them though. Notwithstanding, come hell or high water, the much anticipated weekend gathering was not to be denied. The show must go on!

Calm, composed and collected but visibly spent from his traffic ordeal, percussionist Vincent Garrucho was the first to arrive along with his two talented and cute daughters Maxine and Izzy. Amusingly, traffic or not, the two kids were no worse for wear and quite unaffected. Compulsive road raged drivers all around should really take the queue from these kids. Incidentally, it was Izzy's birthday. She was to be 10 years old! Happy birthday Izzy!

Bassist Rick Trinidad, was next to show up. Currently based at his mom's home in Merville Park Subdivision, he got a better deal with the traffic having to come from a village just close by.

Keyboardist Atty.Pecky Casuela was in the house as well. When he arrived, we finally had a decent band line-up. No time wasted, we were all set to jam. We played some classic jazzy tunes and a few other catchy instrumentals with Rick on bass, Vincent on percussions and myself on drums. I particularly enjoyed jamming the familiar Deodato tunes that Pecky had suggested. Sadly, we weren't able to take videos of that.

Not too long after, more musicians arrived to join in. It was great to see Nitoy Adriano and Joaco Marco back in the music room. In as much as they wanted to be more consistent, both had been very busy with their individual commitments barring them from joining the Friday jams for some time now. We definitely missed these guys around.

Among the other musicians and friends who came were keyboardist Kiko Montecillo, guitarist Lord Brian, vocalist Marc de Asis, Monchie Henares, Michael Puyat and his charming wife Amar, Nick Mangubat who just hanged out but did not perform, Luisa Distor and Nikki Segundo.

Perhaps due to traffic hangover or whatever crazy reason, everyone looked so low-keyed and subdued last night that the jam encountered a lot of lulls and dead moments in between songs, uncharacteristic of our usual demeanor despite a good number of participants around. It was just one of those nights. In fact, the jam concluded at 4:30am an hour short of our usual. Nevertheless, it was all good!

By the way, next Friday, September the 30th, is keyboardist Kiko Montecillo's birthday! We excitedly look forward to another night of great music! Hope to see you all then!

And so that's how the cookie crumbled at the jam last night! Praise and thank God for the opportunity!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!