AFFINITY : A Capsule History
February 1, 2006
A capsule history of the band
The Johnny Alegre AFFINITY began as an ensemble that gathered in Manila’s Pink Noise Studios for guitarist Johnny Alegre’s composition, “Stones of Intramuros” in May of 2002. The opus, included in the jazz anthology CD, Adobo Jazz Vol. 1, was a mesh of artistic, technical and communal creativity between the composer and his allies, bassist Colby de la Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison and saxophonist Tots Tolentino.
The band’s first public appearance (comprised of Alegre, Bermejo and the 6-string electric bassist, Jerri de Leon) 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 proclaimed 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 continually re-emerged, augmented by a who’s who of luminaries from the Philippine jazz firmament.
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.
In 2005, amidst critical praise, and an astonishing volume of sales for a hardcore jazz instrumental album, Candid Records ushered the “jazz superband” through a promotional tour, leading to an illustrious gala performance at the famed Ayala Museum, and followed by two groundbreaking performances at London’s PizzaExpress Jazz Club.
