Jazz at the Top

It’s a cold November night and a slender crescent moon is casting a faint gleam on the world below. The stars are out too, specks of magic dust that make the evening more spellbinding than it already is. 

I am sitting on a cozy bar stool on the rooftop of tycoon Roberto “RVO” Ongpin’s Alphaland Corporate Tower, in a lounge fittingly called Top of the Alpha by Louie Y. 

It’s the newest night spot in the metro, right smack in the city, yet away from the maddening crowd.

Here, there’s a panoramic view of the cityscape that will take your breath away. Glittering city lights stretch out as far as the eye can see. 

Louie Ysmael, of course, is the famous king of the Manila nightlife, the man behind Euphoria and other clubs of the ’80s and ’90s. 

It’s ironic that I never met him despite countless nights of craziness and wild abandon I spent in those clubs in my younger days. Tonight, I finally do. 

I find my spot in the Bird’s Nest, the lounge’s open-air wrap-around terrace. I am savoring the fresh evening breeze and enjoying the music. It’s a charming place and I am blown away. 

The waiter brings me red wine, rich and lingering. It’s such a fine drink, as fine as my host Julian Ongpin, RVO’s son. 

Julian gives me a tour of the lounge’s nooks and crannies. There are private rooms, a cigar divan, a bar stocked with A-list liquor and a sleek black grand piano. 

The best part about the place is the music. Top of the Alpha is the country’s newest jazz spot that features the finest jazz musicians. The walls are bedecked with posters of jazz artists.

Indeed, what makes this posh cosmopolitan lounge perfect is jazz — all that jazz, as much as you can take in. 

I am biased, of course, because I love jazz. A lot like love, jazz allows me to slip into a thin membrane in this chaotic world to reach a mind-bending state of pure bliss.

With its variety of rhythms and blues notes, I descend into a rabbit hole of sorts.

Those who are not jazz fans will have a good time too, I promise. The place has a lot to offer with its many quiet spots, charming ambience, and the finest liquor.

Lessons from jazz

But who doesn’t like jazz? As the great Nina Simone said, “Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, a way of being, a way of thinking.”

In fact, whether one is a tycoon or a beleaguered billionaire, one can learn a lot from jazz musicians. 

Improvisation

The most important lesson jazz teaches us is to improvise in times of uncertainties. Jazz musicians respond to mistakes well. They don’t stop until they hit their groove again. 

Businessmen can do the same. 

Say yes to the mess

As jazz pianist Frank Barrett famously said in his book, “Yes to the Mess:  Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz,” businessmen should learn to improvise.

Barrett tells about his experience of getting lost in the middle of a performance with a new group. He didn’t stop until they found their rhythm again.

He compares this to the story of General Electric which suddenly hit a wall during a financial crisis. GE improvised. From just manufacturing light bulbs, it is now a giant jet engine maker and more. 

The legendary Miles Davis is also known for doing lots of experimentation, interrupting his band’s usual patterns. He did this in Kind of Blue and up to this day, it is regarded as the greatest jazz record of all time.

Learn to unlearn

Businessmen should also “learn to unlearn.” A second generation tycoon lamented to me that his father’s ways are no longer fit for the changing times. Thus, like jazz musicians, businessmen should welcome new ways of doing things. 

Have the guts

Jazz musicians aren’t afraid to play with strangers and experiment with new notes. Businessmen should also have the guts to try something new. Tycoon Ramon Ang, the head of mammoth conglomerate San Miguel Corp., said one should have the balls to bet big on new businesses. San Miguel has diversified from just its heritage beer business and has now grown to a size the beer men that founded it may not have imagined.

These are just some of the lessons from jazz. I’m sure there’s more.

So the next time you’re wondering how to navigate through an increasingly complicated business environment, scroll through your playlist and hit some jazz.

Better yet, swing by Alphaland, take the private elevator to the penthouse and find your spot at the Top of the Alpha. Take off your tie, choose your poison and sit back. Savour the jazz music. 

Watch out for the improvisation — how apparent mistakes magically turn into an ensemble of perfect notes.

Isn’t life like that? The unexpected happens. But it shouldn’t stop us. Improvise, stretch the imagination and never spoil a moment. The result is an imperfectly perfect masterpiece. 

Iris Gonzales’ e-mail address is [email protected]