JULY Gigs

Between the Exit Signs

From Rock Drilon:

The Johnny Alegre AFFINITY monthly jazz night gig at Mag:net Cafe Katipunan will be this Wednesday June 7 at 9:30PM and will include performances by the youthful siblings Mike and Micaela Benedicto of Outerhope.

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(Johnny's personal invite.)

Regarding Outerhope … this deserves a short story. My introduction to their music was brought about during an afternoon chat I shared with record entrepreneur Toti Dalmacion. Toti and I have exchanged ideas in relation to a fundraiser album we're doing for the World Wildlife Fund, due out in a month or so. And as some here may recall from Buszmail's gig announcements, we'd done a twin bill at Mag:net a couple of months ago with another of Toti's talents, Up Dharma Down. "Dharma" is a very enjoyable band for me, consisting of very young musicians with an outlook and level of creativity advanced for their years. So, taking home some of Toti's cds with me, including the maiden album of Outerhope, I was simply bowled over by the translucent beauty and sincerity of Michael and Micaela Benedicto's creations. These siblings who are the nucleus of Outerhope weave a music I would call "progressive folk", a genre I share a kinship with. I think Marc-Almond, Donovan, or Leonard Cohen, or Judy Collins, early Joni Mitchell, or transition David Crosby or even formative post- Springfield Neil Young. I'm sure there are contemporary equivalents but those were the primeval sounds that reverberated in my ear. In my earliest days as a fledgling musician, the acoustic music I spun around had many similarities to the music of Outerhope, with the same sus4 voicings and open strings and Thurberesque/Gaimanesque images that Michael and Micaela are creating with artistry today. They have a true alternative sound; and perhaps the most revealing new local release I've heard this year to date.

See you guys tonight when Affinity plays back-to-back with Outerhope.

All the best, Johnny

Affinity + Outerhope at Mag:netCafe

From: Jerrick Mina[SMTP:hammerpan@yahoo.com] Reply To: pinoyjazz@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 1:15 PM To: pinoyjazz@yahoogroups.com Subject: [PinoyJazz] AFFINITY@ mag:net cafe

From: Rock Drilon[SMTP:rock@drilon.com] Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 2:07 PM To: rock@drilon.com Subject: Johnny Alegre-Affinity and Outerhope at Mag:net Cafe

The awaited Johnny Alegre-Affinity monthly jazz night gig at Mag:net Cafe Katipunan will be this Wednesday June 7 at 9:30PM and will include performances by the youthful siblings Mike and Micaela Benedicto of Outerhope.

Affinity will have band leader and founder Johnny Alegre on guitar, Simon Tan on bass, Koko Bermejo on drums and Joey Quirino on keyboards. We were advised, when promoting genius don’t mention the word or we see everybody scampering for the nearest exit. Well, there is no other way to describe this group- individually and as a group Affinity is GENIUS!!!

Outerhope’s sound is introverted, absent-minded, and somewhat whimsical. In the absence of a full band, Outerhope abandons the conventional set-up and play/sing multiple parts. Dream pop and folk influences are heard through vibraphone and rhodes piano voices and melodic guitar-playing.

Both have recently released their respective debut CD albums which will be available at the gate. The Johnny Alegre Affinity-Outerhope back-to-back is part of a continuing series of Mag:net’s effort to make available quality live music in Quezon City. Entrance fee is P150 inclusive of 1 beer. Mag:net Cafe is located along Katipunan Avenue fronting Miriam and Ateneo beside Rustans Supermarket.

For reservations call 4352631; 9293191.

For more Mag:net Events: http://www.magnet.com.ph

—– End forwarded message —–

June Gigs

Johnny Alegre, guitar Simon Tan, bass Koko Bermejo, drums Joey Quirino, keyboards (June-07) Ria Osorio, keyboards/vocals (June-10) Mikah Azurin, drums (June-09) Dave Harder, bass (June-09)

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June-07 (Wednesday) Mag:net Katipunan Katipunan Avenue, QC.

Starts at ’round 9:45PM.

Reservations: Tels. 435-2631; 929-3191 c/o Raymar For a location map and other info click here:

http://www.magnet.com.ph/

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June-09 (Friday) ROCK-ED Advocacy Concert Series Eastwood Citywalk Pasig City

Featuring Noel Cabangon, Kala, Paolo Santos, and other concerned artists. Starts at ’round 8PM

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June-10 (Saturday) Ardis Bar, Jupiter Street, Makati (near cor. Reposo) Starts at ’round 9:30PM.

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June-16 (Friday) Penguin Gallery & Cafe Remedios Street (cor. Remedios Circle) Malate, Manila Starts at ’round 9:30PM. Entrance: P150 (incl. 1 free beer) (P100 succeeding, 3 beers) Very affordable wines, pastas and bar chow.

back-to-back with Bo Razon’s JAVADELIC

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June-21 (Wednesday) Penguin Gallery & Cafe’S "FETE ALTERNATIVE" Remedios Street (cor. Remedios Circle) Malate, Manila

Note: Friends of Penguin Cafe decided to hold an event to compensate for the cancelled Fete de la Musique 2006. This will be a fun/wild night of jazz and world beat music.

Other artists include Bo Razon’s Javadelic, Kadangyan, Brass Munkeys, Pinikpikan, and Sammy Asuncion’s Spy.

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New AFFINITY sightings:

Jazzhound by Johnny Alegre Affinity at Audio Lunchbox

http://www.audiolunchbox.com/album?a=53126

Audio Lunchbox is an online music store that focuses on independent artists.

Johnny Alegre Affinity, MP3 Music Download at eMusic

http://www.emusic.com/artist/11655/11655776.html

Johnny Alegre Affinity MP3s at eMusic.

May 26, 27 & 28 (2006)

May-26 (Friday) CELEBRATING MILES DAVIS’ BIRTHDAY Johnny Alegre, guitar Dave Harder, bass Koko Bermejo, drums

back-to-back with Bo Razon’s JAVADELIC

at Penguin Gallery & Cafe Remedios Street (cor. Remedios Circle) Malate, Manila Starts at ’round 9:30PM. Entrance: P150 (incl. 1 free beer) (P100 succeeding, 3 beers) Very affordable wines, pastas and bar chow.

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May-27 (Saturday) Johnny Alegre, guitar Tots Tolentino, sax Simon Tan, bass Koko Bermejo, drums Joey Quirino, keyboards

at Streetscape (EDSA Shangrila) Starts at ’round 9:45PM.

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May-28 (Sunday) Johnny Alegre, guitar Simon Tan, bass Koko Bermejo, drums

Live! on RJ-TV Hosted by Lynn Sherman

Broadcasting at 10PM

(also guesting: the superb vocal stylings of Mon David)

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Internet Stores:

http://www.fliptunes.net/store/

http://www.emusic.com/artist/11655/11655776.html

https://www.myayala.com/shop/products.asp?categ_id=3&product_id=7572&merchant_code=MG01

Gig Roundup

Johnny Alegre AFFINITY

Johnny Alegre, guitar Simon Tan, bass Colby dela Calzada, bass Koko Bermejo, drums Tots Tolentino, sax Joey Quirino, keyboards Ria Osorio, keyboards Marc Lopez, keyboards

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May-20: SAT Johnny,Colby,Koko,Marc ARDIS, Jupiter Street (near cor. Reposo) Makati

May-26: FRI Johnny,Simon,Koko MILES DAVIS’ BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE Penguin Gallery & Cafe Remedios Street (cor. Remedios Circle) Malate, Manila

May-27: SAT Johnny,Tots,Simon,Koko,JQ Shangrila Streetscape EDSA

June-07: WED Johnny,Simon,Koko,JQ Mag:net Katipunan (beside Rustans) Quezon City

June-10: SAT Johnny,Simon,Koko,Ria ARDIS, Jupiter Street (near cor. Reposo) Makati

June-16: FRI Johnny,Simon,Koko Penguin Gallery & Cafe Remedios Street (cor. Remedios Circle) Malate, Manila

Check out http://www.fliptunes.net/

Breakout

Ever wondered how one's interview gets translated into another person's words? Here's a typical example of a Q & A. Notice how the interviewer begins with the premise that jazz is prevalently percieved as "puzzling" and "too sophisticated" ("to put it simply"). This is a strategically important interview for a widely read publication (circulation: 10,000, but I can't reveal the name), and so I'm in a tight bind. And thus the task unfolds.

When the issue comes out in print, I will re-post this Q & A coupled with a softcopy of the finished article. Then let's compare the results. Lord have mercy.

–Johnny

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Q & A for Johnny Alegre

Q. The prevalent perception of jazz is, to put it simply, puzzling. And a little too sophisticated for the average Juan. As one of the contemporary purveyors of jazz music, how would you address this perception? What are the steps you are taking to change this mindset?

A. I believe we all crave for something extraordinary in our lives, even in the soundtrack of our lives, and perhaps jazz provides our listening experience further possibilities and challenges. Jazz has been around for the longest time, and the styles have changed through every generation and decade. I've encountered so many opinions and arguments about what it's become and where it's going. This happens to all genres that have been around long enough, including rock, folk, what-have-you. Contemporary jazz practitioners like me must therefore find our own vocabularies out of a dire necessity to be in the here and now. This is something every artist must struggle to achieve: to construct his own music (forms, etc.), to find one's own voice, to suit the parameters of one's technique. The searching eventually expands the repertoire.

Q. How would you situate jazz music in the current atmosphere of original Filipino music? What is its relevance?

A. Jazz has been in the Philippines far beyond our time, from the military brass bands and orchestras in the American Occupation. My own interest in jazz started from a young musician's desire to learn more chords and write more ambitious songs. I was also intrigued to learn how solos were put together. I think this is a common desire among young musicians; we've got many of them going to our gigs asking us all sorts of technical questions, many of the same I used to ask the elder guys when I learning to play.

Q. How would you describe the type of jazz music you play?

A. Probably just good music that I can live with, the kind I don't mind putting my name to, that people feel comfortable categorizing as jazz for various reasons. If I talk about labels and markets and sub-genres, we'll just be opening a can of worms.

Q. What are the difficulties or challenges that you have encountered in bringing your music out there? In alternative venues, outside formal environments? In getting radio airplay?

A. The upside is that AFFINITY has managed to play for some very good crowds. It's been very satisfying in that respect. The dynamics of the music we play in AFFINITY is so wide that I, for one, can actually customize the sound and choice of songs to blend with the room or the stage, so it's not like we get boxed in. I absolutely refuse to be stereotyped. I think, the risks we take, the sensation of danger that comes across the stage, this business of bringing audiences with you into "the zone"; this adds a lot of vitality and growth to our sound.

Q. How did the Affinity start? Any memorable performances that you can share with us?

A. AFFINITY was formed in mid-2002, initially as a project to do one recording, then another, and then finally an album. Deciding to play live was just a logical step after deciding we really wanted to continue doing this kind of music. We've had some personnel changes through the months, but I'm fortunate to have all these remarkable musicians coming back and forth in the line-up, and especially so because we're all friends. The best AFFINITY gigs so far include the major ones like the album launch in London in late 2005; and the 3rd Manila Jazz Festival sponsored by Jewelmer (that was issued on DVD) and the U.P. Theatre gig sponsored by Upsilon (also issued on DVD). But we've also played some absolutely mind-blowing gigs in small places like 70s Bistro, Conspiracy, Penguin Cafe, Ardi's and Saguijo. In fact, we're planning an album of our live highlights; and I'm almost certain this should get the hardcore fans really excited; we may even convert some of our detractors.

Q. Improvisation is a huge part of playing jazz music live. How does this happen? What does your instinct tell you at that moment of improvisation? Can you describe for us the sort of invisible link that you have with your band members as you travel down (and up) chord progressions and seamlessly blend with each other.

A. Some of the best improvisations I've heard are those that arose because the music essentially called for them to happen. In effect, the music simply dictated itself. The responsibility of the musician, in the most sweeping of terms, is to be able to effectively deliver the music, whatever the music demands. Like a good athlete, in this case like a good musician. So in this frame of mind, we're messengers; we're just delivering. It's just necessary to focus and surrender, to sensitively pay attention to everything that goes on around us and translate that energy through one's instrument. How the music unfolds is all a consequence of this chanelling. I try not to get too distracted by mechanics, like, okay we're going to solo for thirty-two bars each at such and such a tempo. We play and respond. There's an opening, an ending, and a path that runs right through all of that. It's a little hard to explain; (we can talk about the technique all day, but there are many abstract spaces like time, communication and intuition where we'll have to step lightly.)

Q. How was the reception of the UK audience to Affinity's cutting-edge jazz?

A. The reviews were perceptive and insightful, I think. Jazzwise Magazine gave us three stars in a four-star system. What a thrill to be reviewed in Jazzwise! And the Nottingham Post gave us four stars. What greater satisfaction can one have?

May Gigs

AFFINITY Johnny Alegre,guitar Simon Tan, bass Dave Harder, bass Koko Bermejo, drums Yoshi Shinobu, drums Joey Quirino, keyboards Tots Tolentino, sax

Gigs this May

May-03 (Wednesday) Mag:net Katipunan Katipunan Avenue, QC (Johnny,Simon,Koko,Joey) Starts at ’round 9:30PM. Reservations: Tels. 435-2631; 929-3191 c/o Raymar For a location map and other info click here: http://www.magnet.com.ph/

May-05 (Friday) Penguin Gallery & Cafe Remedios Street (cor. Remedios Circle) Malate, Manila (Johnny,Simon,Yoshi) Starts at ’round 9:30PM. Entrance: P150 (incl. 1 free beer) (P100 succeeding, 3 beers) Very affordable wines, pastas and bar chow.

May-20 (Saturday) Ardi’s Bar Jupiter Street (near cor. Reposo) Makati (Johnny,Simon,Koko) Starts at ’round 9:30PM.

May-26 (Friday) Penguin Gallery & Cafe Remedios Street (cor. Remedios Circle) Malate, Manila (Johnny,Dave,Koko) CELEBRATING MILES DAVIS’BIRTHDAY Starts at ’round 9:30PM. Entrance: P150 (incl. 1 free beer) (P100 succeeding, 3 beers) Very affordable wines, pastas and bar chow.

May-27 (Saturday) Streetscape (EDSA Shangrila) (Johnny,Tots,Simon,Koko,Joey) Starts at ’round 9:45PM.

Internet site to visit:

http://www.fliptunes.net/store/

Earth Day Gig at CCP (April-22) etc

We'll be at the CCP garden in the afternoon. I hope the sun doesn't get too harsh at midday, but it should start going down by 3PM when we get there. I'll be bringing sunblock, shades, whatever cap matches my clothes and refreshments. After we play the CCP Earth Day gig, we'll proceed to our evening gig in Makati (to the new ARDI's Jazz Bar {a.k.a.DENCIO's} along Jupiter Street corner Reposo). We got wind from Jazzphil prexy Sandra Lim that Manila's jazz vocalist supreme, Mon David, is celebrating his London victory at our gig. Hey hey hey! We expect a lot of musicians to pop in and jam. Saturday should be a fun day and night.

AFFINITY personnel: Johnny Alegre (guitar), Koko Bermejo (drums), Joey Quirino (keyboards) and Dave Harder (acoustic bass).

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-weekender-hot-this-weekend-/2006/04/20/1592737.htm

Earth Day at the CCP on Saturday (April 22) will start at 6:30 a.m. and end at 8 p.m. It is open to the public. For more information, call 832-3702 or 832-1125 locals 1125 and 1126.

PROGRAMME 7:30 a.m. Main Stage "Pulso ng Lupa" (Earth Rhythms) featuring KONTRAGAPI 8 a.m. Main Stage OPENING CEREMONIES Welcome Remarks by Nestor O. Jardin, CCP President Kontragapi performance Presentation of New Art Installation at Liwasang Kalikasan Ballet Philippines performance 8:30 a.m. Main Stage "Pulso ng Lupa" (Earth Rhythms) featuring KONTRAGAPI 9 a.m. Main Stage Opening of Winner Foundation's Art Contest for Kids 9:30 a.m. Grassy Area Winner Foundation's art contest proper 10 a.m. Main Stage and CCP Main Ramp KONTRAGAPI performance / CYCAD flag down 10:30 a.m. Main Stage "Pulso ng Lupa" (Earth Rhythms) featuring KONTRAGAPI 11 a.m. Grassy Area Haribon's "Storytelling Under the Trees" Noon to 2 p.m. Bazaar Booths Demonstrations by various organic exhibitors 2 p.m. Grassy Area Haribon's "Storytelling Under the Trees" 3 p.m. Main Stage Announcement of Art Contest winners "Mga Tinig Para Sa Lupa" (Melodies for the Earth) featuring KALA Fashion Show featuring the creations of the DLSU-CSB School of Design and Arts students 3:30 p.m. Main Stage "Mga Tinig Para Sa Lupa" (Melodies for the Earth) featuring JOHNNY ALEGRE'S AFFINITY 4 p.m. Main Stage "Indak-indak Para Sa Lupa" (Dance for the Earth) featuring BALLET REPERTORY 5 p.m. Main Stage CLOSING CEREMONIES Closing Remarks of Fernando C. Josef, CCP Vice-President & Artistic Director "Pagpapalaya ng Lupa, Tubig, Hangin" (Freeing the Earth, Water and Air) - a presentation of collaborative works Closing Remarks of Emily Abrera, Chairperson, CCP Board of Trustees 6: p.m. Main Stage "Pulso ng Lupa" (Earth Rhythms) featuring EMIL SANGLAY AT PENPEN.

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The Cultural Center of the Philippines is taking a new and equally important advocacy - environmental protection. Admittedly, the center is venturing into unfamiliar territory, but CCP president Nestor Jardin said it is about time.

"The CCP has not been involved in environmental protection. But I felt that culture and the arts could do a lot to help promote the protection of the environment."

Part of the development plan for the CCP Complex is to maintain 50% open spaces comprising of gardens, parks, public art spaces, pedestrian walkways and roads, according to CCP's desire to create a recreational and educational venue in a natural urban forest setting.

Thus with partners Haribon Foundation, Winner Foundation, the La Sallian Institute for the Environment (LIFE), the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), Cycling Advocates (CYCAD), Organic Producers and Traders Association (OPTA) and GMA 7, CCP is launching "Sibol: Earth Day at the CCP" on April 22 at Liwasang Kalikasan.

The 1.6-hectare Liwasang Kalikasan along Roxas Boulevard is a lightly wooded area that the CCP wants to transform into an ecological showcase and a venue for cultural and educational activities following the example of the Arroceros Forest Park in Manila.

The area is currently a manicured garden dotted with coconut trees and sculptures by ASEAN artists. The existing trees will be transferred to other parts of the complex and replaced with indigenous trees.

Mr. Jardin said through this project, he hopes to raise more awareness for both culture and the environment. Sibol aims to promote the "culture- life" concept, which utilizes arts and culture as a means to promote environmental preservation. "Culture protects life," he said.

He said early Filipinos coexisted with their environment in a mutually beneficial and regenerating basis.

"Dependence on nature didn't mean destroying it."

Mr. Jardin added that he wanted to put together a research team that would study traditional cultural practices that can be used as takeoff point to show how modern society can also coexist with nature.

"Culture protects life. Contemporary arts can promote the value of protecting nature. [Since] the arts is experiential, [then] inculcating this value on the youth is possible."

Equally significant is their aim to prove that the arts is a vehicle for social transformation. CCP is also involved in educating people to fight graft and corruption through its outreach projects, radio show and theater presentation "Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon" (Anatomy of Corruption).

"[We hope] people will realize that the arts [are] not merely entertainment," said Mr. Jardin.

Developing Liwasang Kalikasan will require P22 million. The NCCA started the ball rolling with a P1-million grant. The CCP hopes private corporations will find the project worth helping so Liwasang Kalikasan will be fully developed by next year. Public performances of traditional arts, eco-cultural exhibitions, crafts workshops for kids and guided tours are among the activities planned for the park. The day-long festivities on Saturday will give the public a taste of the potential of the forest park. Concerts, art contests, storytelling under the trees, organic market, fashion show, demonstrations on organic gardening and cycling are some of the activities in the lineup.

April Gigs

Gigs this April

(hoping you can visit us sometime)

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Personnel:

Johnny Alegre, guitar / Simon Tan, bass / Dave Harder, bass (Apr-22) / Koko Bermejo, drums / with Joey Quirino, keyboards (Apr-19) / Alvin Cornista, sax (Apr-19)

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April-04 : THURSDAY Conspiracy Visayas Avenue (near Quezon Circle) Diliman QC First set starts at 9:45PM.

April-19: WEDNESDAY Mag:net Cafe Katipunan Katipunan Avenue, QC (across Miriam College, beside Rustans) "JAZZY WEDNESDAYS" event (back-to-back with RINKA) First set starts 9PM. Reservations: Tels. 435-2631; 929-3191 c/o Raymar For a location map and other info click here: http://www.magnet.com.ph/ First set starts at 9:45PM.

April-22 : SATURDAY Ardis Bar Jupiter Street (near corner Reposo Street) Makati First set starts at 9:45PM.

April-26: WEDNESDAY The Penguin Cafe Remedios Street cor. Remedios Circle Malate, Manila Starts at roughly 9:30PM. Reservations: Tel. 303-7355 First set starts at 9:45PM.

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AFFINITY's Gig Mailer http://groups.yahoo.com/group/affinity-PH/

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Johnny Alegre AFFINITY's first cd is available at the following stores: Tower Records, Music One, Odyssey, "O" Record Store (at Rockwell), SM record outlets,Astroplus (Podium), Montage (GB-4) and Fully Booked (Rockwell).

Also available online at:

http://www.myayala.com/shop/merchants.asp?mcode=MG01&categ_id=3

The UK edition, "Jazzhound", is available at the following online stores:

http://www.amazon.co.uk

http://search.lycos.co.uk

http://candidrecords.com/acatalog/