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, intended for the Philippine 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 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, supplemented by a who’s who of luminaries from the Philippine jazz firmament, including the trumpeter, Terry Undag.
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 eponymous album, “Johnny Alegre AFFINITY”, released by the UK-based jazz specialty label, Candid Records.In the summer of 2003, the band was prominently featured at the annual Fete de la Musique (sponsored by the Alliance Francaise) and the Korg Music Festival. In November of the same year, the Johnny Alegre AFFINITY inaugurated their new compositions and arrangements before an astonished, conservative yet enthusiastic, jazz audience at the University of the Philippines Theatre, which was broadcast on prime time national television. In 2004, the once group again became the focal point of two major jazz concert events, the Makati (central business district) Jazz Festival celebrating its Foundation Day; and the 2nd Manila Jazz Festival (co-sponsored by Air France and Jewelmer).
In 2005, amidst critical praise, and astonishing album sales for a hardcore jazz instrumental album, Candid Records ushered the “jazz superband” through a promotional tour, capped by a gala performance at the illustrious Ayala Museum, and followed by two groundbreaking performances at London’s PizzaExpress Jazz Club featuring Johnny Alegre with Koko Bermejo, Colby de la Calzada, pianist Ria Osorio and guest saxophonist Dimitri Vassilakis.
At the heels of their successful maiden recording, AFFINITY is busy recording their second studio album together with the Global Studio Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga), with arrangements and orchestrations by Ria Osorio. Complemented by a slew of live appearances by a stellar carousel of friends, with Alegre and Bermejo (with sporadic appearances by Tolentino and dela Calzada), joined-in by new recruits to the AFFINITY collective; the hard bop bassist, Simon Tan, the young bassist Dave Harder, the lyrical pianist Joey Quirino, and the soulful keyboardist Henry Katindig. Freshly described in a recent Philippine Star column as perhaps "the most dangerous band in Manila", the Johnny Alegre AFFINITY unit remains poised at the forefront of Manila's creative jazz scene and its flourishing, if turbulent, musical landscape.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/affinity-PH

micaela:

hi pls save us a set cz we going there tommorw as a group pls kindly save me a 5 set in front thank u

micaela:

were going there tommorw,may 3 i hope you can save us a set cz we go there as a group.thanks allot!

tina:

This site is neat! This and the other one in Multiply (affinityjazz.multiply.com) I really like the new gig poster for September.

dondee:

the affinity set at fete de la musique was awesome! some edgy jazz-rock. who was the drummer?

joshnerez:

mga sir: no plans on gigging dito sa davao? this place needs a nice touch of jazz..thanks a lot! love your music! pinoy jazz lives on!

bobby tan:

Text for AFFINITY’s gigs at 2851 (Globe), 2951 (Smart) and 2851 (Sun). Syntax:
“LUK4 gigs AFFINITY”
or “LUK4 gigs JOHNNY”

prince:

I’m going to the Penguin Cafe on June 15!

ace:

The 2007 Manila Jazzfest at Hotel Sofitel (a.k.a. Jewelmer Corp’s vanity jazz concert) fails to invite any of the Candid Records artists (Johnny Alegre, Mishka Adams, Skarlet, Mon David or Isha Abubakar). Instead they headline Verni Varga as “the queen of jazz” (a cause for argument, if there’s any), and even glosses over Bob Aves, Javadelic, Gerard Salonga’s Angel Pena project, and just about every meaningful Philippine jazz development in recent months.

liz:

just blog hopping. keep the music alive! love the header by the way. ^_^

larrybored:

will be routing for you. linking you as well… Jazz at its finest!

ilian:

astig! glad to hear you’ll be at the penguin bar again

guest_8740:

Affinity is undoubtedly the finest local jazz band ever! You’re CD is a big revelation. Keep it up.

xedric:

can u upload a sample of ur music? thanks

JM:

Hi sir.I have your album since im a jazz fan..though i would like to see you and your band live..can you post your skeds?Your an inspiration like the other candid records artist(Mon David,Isha,Mishka Adams) to me.I hope you’ll share your music as long as you can.thanks a lot..

JM:

Hi again..just fixing my blog link : ) I hope you could put up a schedule of your appearances sir..thanks a lot!

Ginny:

Hi Johnny! Kamusta na? Keep the music playing

ace:

Wow. Nice site!

buszmail:

Hello JM, please send your email addy to affinityjazz@gmail.com so we can send you AFFINITY’s gig sched very regularly. All the best!

roy:

nice blog! just passing by! try to see my eyes, you may link it if possible. tnx

mahavishnu:

[message]so why’s affinity and javadelic not playing in manila jazz fest?