Jazz
Johnny Alegre AFFINITY
The Johnny Alegre AFFINITY is a jazz group originating from the Philippines. It is led by self-taught Philippine guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre, together with bassist Colby de la Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison and saxophonist Tots Tolentino. The ensemble first gathered in May 2002 at Manila’s Pink Noise Studios for Alegre’s composition, “Stones of Intramuros”, for inclusion in the jazz anthology CD, Adobo Jazz Vol. 1, and thereafter carried on as a working unit. The band’s first public appearance in October of the same year for the Adobo Jazz album launch at the Monk’s Dream Jazz Bar heralded the AFFINITY’s reputation –as described by aficionados in the ensuing reviews— as “Manila’s Jazz Superband”, with a power trio at its core. For the remainder of the year, the group emerged in various guises and personnel variations, manned by a who’s who of luminaries from the Philippine jazz scene.
In 2003, the original quintet that recorded “Stones of Intramuros” returned to the studio to record new compositions by Alegre; followed by a succession of other dates leading to the release of the eponymous album, Johnny Alegre AFFINITY, by the UK-based jazz specialty label, Candid Records. The band was prominently featured at the annual Fête de la Musique and the Korg Music Festival. In November, the Johnny Alegre AFFINITY inaugurated their new compositions and arrangements before an enthusiastic jazz audience at the University of the Philippines Theatre, which was subsequently broadcast, live, on prime time over national television. This national debut performance was also issued as a DVD by the sponsoring Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity, and had since been included in a historical documentary of Philippine Jazz, issued by the Jazz Society of the Philippines. In 2004, AFFINITY once again became the focal point of two major jazz concert events, the Makati Jazz Festival celebrating its Foundation Day; and the 2nd Manila Jazz Festival.
In 2005, through critical support matched by impressive album sales, Candid Records ushered the Manila “jazz superband” through a tour of stellar performances (highlighted by a formal launch at the famed Ayala Museum), capped by two groundbreaking performances at London’s PizzaExpress Jazz Club. Their repeat performance in the 3rd Manila Jazz Festival was subsequently issued as a DVD by the Jewelmer Corporation (that also featured the Jamie Oehlers Group from Australia and several Philippine artists). A new Candid Records release, entitled Eastern Skies, was launched in December 2007 featuring AFFINITY amidst big band and symphonic arrangements by orchestrator Ria Osorio featuring the music of Johnny Alegre with the Global Studio Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga.
Philippine Jazz - The history of Jazz music in the Philippines takes us as far back as 1898 when the African-American soldiers, sent to the Philippines to reinforce America's colonial rule after the defeat of the Spanish armada, introduced American Black music to the Philippines. The era of Vaudeville or "stage shows" flourished in Manila in the 1920's, which employed many gifted musicians who were exposed to "Ragtime" and "Dixieland" music. The ensuing first Filipino settlers to the United States who found work opportunities in Louisiana may have established Filipino jazz links to Mother America. The "Dance Band" era of the 1930's witnessed Manila's musicians taking to night club entertainment and ocean liners offering the beat of big band music. In the post World War II period, the early recording industry spearheaded by Bataan Records founder, Cecil Lloyd (a man of African-American descent) came as a surprise to Filipino audiences. The small jazz groups that emerged in Manila following the war, the exodus of Filipino musicians to other Asian destinations, and the (University of the Philippines) Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity's sponsorship of big band jazz that lasted for decades are salient topics of keen interest to jazz aficionados. Heroes of Philippine Jazz such as Angel Peña, Narding Aristorenas, Federico Elizalde, Mesio Regalado, Toots Dila, Vestre Roxas, Lito Molina, and many more have finally been given a long-deserved documentation through the efforts of the Jazz Society of the Philippines and the Philippine jazz music historian, Ricardo Quirino. Present day luminaries of Philippine jazz include Bob Aves, Johnny Alegre, the British-Filipina Mishka Adams, Mon David; as well as Filipino-Americans such as Jon Irabagon, Charmaine Clamor, Abe Lagrimas and Susie Ibarra.