From left to right: Ann Marie Santos, Abe Lagrimas Jr., Al Manalo
SAN FRANCISCO, July 30, 2009 - Blaring trumpets fuse with saxophones and drumbeats and to create Pinoy Jazz. Come enjoy the music at the 2nd annual San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival. There will be an evening concert at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum held on Saturday August 8, featuring the award-winning and show-stopping vocalists of Mon David and Anna Maria Flechero; Grammy-nominated bandleader, composer, and flutist John Calloway; and pianist, Tateng Katindig, known as "the Oscar Peterson of the Philippines." Showtime is at 5pm. Tickets are available at the YBCA Box Office at 415-978-2787 or at www.ybca.org
There will also be two free outdoor performances held in conjunction with the Pistahan Parade and Festival. Artists performing on Saturday Aug. 8 include Parangal Dance Company, pianist/composer Socorro "Kit" de Castro and vocalist/songwriter Raquel. On Sunday Aug. 9, vocalist Ann Marie Santos with the Art Khu Trio and Abe Lagrimas, Jr. drummer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist will hit the stage. Comedian and community activist Al Manalo will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event which takes place from 1pm to 2pm both days.
In the Philippines, as well as in the United States, Pinoy Jazz has been described as a"process of self-discovery" of the various influences that Pinoy musicians are subjected to - not only from outside but also from inside their own country and culture.
The roots of Pinoy Jazz in the Bay Area can be traced to early Filipino immigrants who settled in and around the Fillmore District and in Manilatown on Kearny Street next to Chinatown. Pioneers like Flip Nuñez and Rudy Tenio created a legacy which many artists have since followed. Today, Pinoy jazz is gaining wider recognition as artists like Charmaine Clamor earned a spot on the national charts and saxophonist Jon Irabagon won the 2008 Thelonius Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition.
The SF Filipino American Jazz Festival is a collaboration among the Filipino American National Historical Society, the 16th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival, the San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center, and Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc.
Filipino American Jazz Festival Artists
Mon David
Recognized as one of the most respected singer, songwriter and musician in the Philippines, Mon David was the drummer and vocal coach of the country's most enduring pop icons - the Apo Hiking Society for seven years until he decided to pursue a solo career. Recently relocated in Los Angeles, Mon is now part of the LA Jazz scene with regular performances in the area. Currently with FreeHam Records, he is scheduled to release a CD in the Fall of 2009.
Anna Maria Flechero
A child of an African-American mother and a Filipino father, Anna Maria Flechero, was born in San Francisco and resides in the area to this day. Learning to play the piano by ear at any early age, she began composing songs and writing lyrics influenced in part by the Motown sounds of Marvin Gaye, as well as the Latin rhythms of the Mission District where she lived.
John Calloway
Jazz flutist, arranger and percussionist John Calloway has built a solid foundation as a musician, arranger-composer and educator. His credits as a performer/arranger include work with Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Omar Sosa, Pete Escovedo, Max Roach, Chocolate Armenteros, Carlos "Patato" Valdez, Jesus Diaz, Quique Cruz, Wayne Wallace, Rebeca Mauleon and John Santos.
www.myspace.com/johncallowaymusic
Socorro De Castro
A world class multi-keyboardist and graduate of Berklee College of Music, she captured the First Prize in both the International Yamaha Electone Grand Prix Concourse in Japan and the National Yamaha Electone Organ Festival in Houston, Texas in the 1980's. She went on to do concert tours in the Philippines for the Department of Tourism and as a Yamaha artist. Upon returning to Manila, she was immediately hired as house producer for Vicor Recording Co. and subsequently gained recognition a composer, arranger, and producer.
Tateng Katindig
Eduardo Katindig Jr. known to his family, friends and the music circle as "Tateng" is making waves as a Jazz pianist in the Los Angeles area. He was born in the Philippines and did his schooling at the University of the Philippines majoring in composition and keyboard concentration. Music is the core foundation of this family. Tateng is the son of Eddie K who is one of the Philippines record holder in the instrumental category (saxophone).
Abe Lagrimas
A drumming sensation from an early age, Abe Lagrimas has appeared on stage, radio and television with a who's who in the Hawaii entertainment scene. Proficient in all styles of contemporary drumming, he's dazzled audiences with his great feel, musical interpretation, and tasteful solos.
www.myspace.com/abelagrimasjr.
Parangal Dance Company
Founded in May 2008, Parangal Dance Company is a Filipino Folk Dance Group based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their mission is to give tribute to their Philippine heritage by preserving and promoting ethnic costumes, music, and dance. They aim to entertain, inspire, encourage, and educate the public, so they can gain a better understanding and appreciation of the Philippine life, culture, and tradition.
Ann Marie Santos
Having won the prestigious (Star Search of Asia) award Ann Marie Santos became a regular guest at various TV shows like the hugely popular "Noontime Matinee" and the very popular Sunday night musical and comedy show called "Vaudeville." She was selected a representative for the ASIAN Countries Tour and the recognition brought her recording contract with Blackgold Records and Villar Records singing her own compositions, "I Was Only Dreaming" and "I Guess", "Sulyap" and "Nasaan Irog."
Al Manalo
Allan S. Manalo is a Filipino American writer, director, producer, and stand-up comic, who began his stage career in Hawaii where he studied theater. In 1986, he moved back to California to pursue stand-up comedy in San Francisco and has since performed in over 400 colleges and comedy clubs throughout 47 states. Manalo will be emceeing the Pistahan stage at 1pm both days of the Jazz Festival.
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About the San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival
The San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival promotes, preserves, and celebrates Filipino American history, art, and culture. It focuses on the unique history and legacy of jazz as performed by Bay Area Filipino American jazz artists. www.sfpinoyjazzfest.com
About the 16th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival
The Pistahan Parade and Festival was founded in 1994 and has been consistently held in the oval gardens of the Yerba Buena Center. The Filipino American Arts Exposition, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that contributes to the artistic and cultural pride of the Filipino community, organizes the annual event. This year the two-day event taking place on August 8 and 9 will feature the return of the popular Adobo Cook-off and balut eating contests, delectable Filipino cuisine and desserts, cultural exhibits, world class performances on 2 stages, 6 pavilions celebrating heritage, health, dance, creativity, culinary, and arts, Don't miss the Pistahan Parade, which takes place along Market St. from the Embarcadero to Yerba Buena Gardens on Saturday August 8 at 11 a.m.
www.pistahan.net |