Read On
Subject: by: Teddy Y. Montelibano
The 1st Bacolod Jazzfest (2010)
Thanks to Bob Coscolluela and his confreres in the Jazz Society of Negros, Philippine jazz is vibrantly alive & kicking in Bacolod. An indication of its recognition by serious Philippine jazzists as a premier jazz destination/haven is the city's inclusion in the 2010 Philippine International Jazz Fest calendar of events.
the 1st Bacolod JazzFest on Feb.20, 2010 features 20-yr-old Brit-Filipina jazz chanteuse Mishka Adams
likewise in the line-up of stellar artists in the 1st Bacolod Jazzfest is Kat Agerrado of the Pinoy soul band, Sinosikat
sizzling in the drums is Jazz Volunteers' peerless drummer, Mar Dizon
It took death to give life to something so wondrously alive and kicking.
In 2005, ace musician Monrique Lizares, considered Bacolod (capital city of Negros Occ.)’s peerless jazz bassist, passed away. A year later, to mark what could have been Lizares’ 48th birthday, Bobby Coscolluela and his fellow jazz music aficionados, gave birth to the Jazz Society of Negros (JSN), paving the way for a resurgence in jazz in the province.
In September 16, 2006 – Lizares’ birth anniversary – the JSN’s put up its first jazz event. Dubbed “Ode to Monrique,” the show featured the likes of bassist Colby de la Calzada, Koko Bermejo on drums, Tonet Lipana on guitars, Alvin Cornista on sax and flute, jazz vocalist Cookie Chua and local keyboardist Marc Lopez – “senyors,” all in the genre – playing a riveting set of contemporary, mainstream and original compositions that brought a full-packed audience of Negrense jazz lovers to its feet.
That initial offering only whetted the appetite of Negrenses for jazz and, prodded on by friends and Bacolod city folks in general, Coscolluela and his confreres in the JSN organized show after successful show.
All told, since then, the Society must’ve put together over at least a dozen or more shows, with such name jazz artists as Henry Katindig, Willie Posadas, Raul Banzon and his fellow Working Stiff masters of smooth jazz– Kedy Sanchez, Rookie Garcia, Mari Cancio, John Flores, and current hot male jazz vocalist Oggie Benipayo (who just did honors on vocals on stage at the PICC with David Benoit on the keyboards and a full symphonic orchestra conducted by Gerard Salonga) – Joey Puyat, Iwi Laurel, Lyn Sherman, Ria Villena Osorio, Bo Razon, Eileen Sison and Guarana, Johnny Alegre, Ginnie Tionko and many others flying in to Bacolod to play hot live music.
Today, Bacolod is recognized as a solid sanctuary for Philippine jazz, and no other place outside of Manila is jazz more kick-ass vibrant than in this city.
Clear indication of such recognition is its inclusion in the 2010 Philippine International Jazz Festival (PIJF), which runs from February 12 to February 28 this year. For the first time in its history, the PIJF goes to Bacolod City for the 1st Bacolod Jazzfest (2010). Presented mainly by the PIJF and the JSN, the event will showcase 20-year-old British-Filipino jazz chanteuse Mishka Adams; Pinoy soul band, Sinosikat; the brilliant Jazz Volunteers with Wowie Posadas on the keyboards and Ilonggo ace artists Gabe Ascalon and Nancy Brew.
Catch what promises to be another foot-stomping hotjazz performance on February 20, Saturday, 6 PM. Roofdeck, L’Fisher Hotel (14, Lacson Street). Tickets at P500 (P150 consummable).
--------------------
