Pinoy Jazz lovers just won't throw in the towel

There are some jazz lovers who simply refuse to accept defeat, that jazz in our country today is a far cry from 40 years ago. Among them are Jacqui Magno, Pat Castillo, Verni Varga and Richard Merk who continue to hold fort at the new Merk’s Place on 910 Arnaiz (formerly Pasay Road), Makati City. Wednesdays are jazz nights we try not to miss, since they are always jumping with surprises apart from regulars Richard, Jacqui, and the singing lawyer Ferdie Topacio.

By coincidence we read from our friend Florangel Braid’s column of the first UNESCO initiated International Day of Jazz celebrated last April. Irina Bokova, UNESCO director-general, notes how jazz had evolved from its roots in slavery into a powerful universal force symbolizing freedom, human dignity, and the boundless spirit. The Jazz Society of the Philippines, founded in 2003, has plans to link up with more jazz organizations worldwide.

Richard Merk and his Forever album

We find it interesting that when historian Carlos Quirino visited New Orleans in 1932, he encountered a group of former plantation workers who had become notorious gamblers, but at the same time devout followers of jazz which they spread to their homeland.

At the same time, The CompanY has just represented the Philippines at the Venetian Macao’s International Jazz and Bluesfest Battle of the Bands where they finished sixth.

However, the biggest jazz news of the season is that Chris Botti, the largest selling American jazz instrumentalist who launched Radio High 105.9 late last year, is returning on June 19 for Chris Botti: Live in Manila at the Resorts World Performing Arts Theater. Presented by Globe and Resorts World, the concert will benefit the Young Musicians Development Organization. A pre-event show features eminent jazz vocalists Richard and Verni as well as the release of Forever, Richard’s latest CD by Star Records. 

Verni Varga joins Merk’s at Chris’ show

Botti, the trumpet artist has developed a unique and signature fusion sound. He has shared the stage with music greats Sting, Steven Tyler, Yo Yo Ma, John Mayer, Michael Bublé and Josh Groban, and collaborated with legends Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Mark Knopfler, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster and Natalie Cole. He has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and sold over three million albums. We go to YouTube for Chris’ When I Fall in Love, then Sting and Josh Groban singing Sting’s Shape of my Heart with Chris on the trumpet and understand why he has become so appealing. Chris is said to have found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre.

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Willie Nep repeat, MMFF deadline extended

Willie Nepomuceno as Serafin Cuevas (left) and Juan Ponce Enrile

Willie Nep has finally succeeded in defeating himself. In Willie Nep on Trial & Error, full to the rafters at the last Music Museum show, the following were the cast: Cuevas, Enrile, Erap, Pacman, Pidol, Pnoy (Willie Nep); Jinkee (Margot Pichay); Kris (Frida Nepomuceno); Miriam (Cherry Miguel); Leila (Nadja de Vera) Jessica (UP teacher); Niel (Aaron Misayah); Eve, Jane, Delilah (Xy Martillo); judge chorus in robes (Susana Pichay music scholars); and opening guitar wizard (Jonathan Pichay).

He also had a video wall with Tarzan and Jane, Adam and Eve, Samson and Delilah, and a finale of Willie as himself singing for the first time. As Boots Anson-Roa mentioned on Music & Memories, Willie had done the difficult task of making people laugh while delivering a serious message for his countrymen. A repeat is set tomorrow, June 2, at the Music Museum. For details, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or Music Museum, 721-6726 and 721-0635.

It’s more fun with ‘Manny Pacquiao,’ ‘Kris Aquino’ and ‘Jinkee’

 Meanwhile, important message from Metro Manila Film Festival 2012 chair Francis Tolentino and selection committee head Ma. Josefina Faulan: Deadline for submission of entries extended to June 7. Entries should be submitted at the second floor MMDA Bldg., EDSA cor. Orense, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City.  

(E-mail your comments to [email protected].)