An Evening of Jazz Collaboration with Filipino American Performers
(Los Angeles, CA. July, 2012) Planned spontaneity, the essence of jazz performance, takes centerstage at the Ford Amphitheatre as PAE Live! spotlights performers from the “Jazzmopolitan®” series on Saturday, August 25 in a spectacular concert under the stars. The show will bring young, up-and-coming jazz artists from the Filipino community together with performers who have made their mark in the Filipino jazz world in the final Jazzmopolitan® concert ending the series which began in 2010.
On this year’s Jazzmopolitan® bill, PAE Live! is excited to introduce a couple of hot, new vocalists who are making waves in the music industry, particularly on the Internet. One such talent is Krystle Tugadi whose music is a tasty blend of r&b, folk, pop and jazz mixed with a soulful voice. Her ability to reach people with her honest performances and music has always been her niche but it’s her quirky disposition that has gained her a strong following of listeners from all walks of life.
Alma Silos, a veteran singer who is celebrating a return to live performance, grew up listening to jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. Since coming to the U.S. in 1986, Alma became a member of groups Ssshe, Altered Rhythm and even started a record label with her husband. She has recently finished her album entitled “Alma Silos: After Ten”.
Mitch Franco was born and raised in Northern California. His mother, Gemma Franco, was once a professional recording artist in the Philippines. Mitch became fond of a Michael Buble album when he was 10 years old and began researching jazz music immediately. He then tried singing the classic Sinatra tune “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”. The song was perfect for him and Mitch has been singing jazz ever since.
VJ Rosales is a singer/songwriter with a fresh sound bringing versatility to pop and r&b by fusing his knowledge and style of jazz with them. An alumni from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (at Cal State Long Beach) with a B.M. in Jazz Studies, he is an upcoming artist who is easily adaptable to the changing pop genre. He currently sings with his band, "Chasing Vertigo", a three-piece band that melds pop and r&b with jazz and funk.
Also making her Ford debut is the Philippines’ very own Queen of Jazz, Louie Reyes. She began her professional career with an all female singing trio called Babsie, Chit and Louie, established herself as an accomplished performer with the popular New Minstrels, recorded and released several albums, and received standing ovations for her stage and theatre performances in the Philippines and abroad. She has performed with several mainstream jazz artists such as Joe Sample, Bob James, David Benoit, Noel Pointer and Dianne Reeves.
Abe Lagrimas, Jr., who played drums during the “Jazzmopolitan: Gentlemen of Jazz” concert, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist – equally proficient on the drums, vibraphone and ukulele. Abe began his musical journey when he first sat behind a drum set at the age of four. After high school, Abe continued his studies and attended Berklee College of Music as a North American World Tour Scholarship recipient. He has performed with artists such as Eric Marienthal, Eric Reed, Bill Mays, Jon Irabagon, Lalo Schifrin, Gabe Baltazar, James Morrison, Jake Shimabukuro, James Ingram and in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, Canada and Germany.
Jaclyn Rose, a graduate from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Vocal Performance and a concentration in Jazz Studies, returns from last year’s “Jazzmopolitan: Ladies of Jazz” concert. Trained in a wide variety of musical styles, jazz/neo-soul/r&b is where her heart lies, a la Erykah Badu and India Arie to name a couple. “Jazz offers infinite possibilities…” explains Jaclyn, “there are no limitations…you gain such a deep musical understanding with jazz. The complex harmonies are beautiful and colorful, and really that’s what I love most about jazz. It’s colorful.”
A highlight of the concert will be special performances from Eduardo “Tateng” Katindig, Jr. Born in the Philippines and schooled at the University of the Philippines majoring in composition and keyboard concentration, Tateng is the son of Philippine legendary jazz musician Eddie Katindig. Jazz brought Tateng to the U.S. in 2000 and since then he has played with many great artists such as the legendary drummer Earl Palmer, Lou Rawls, Ritchie Cole, Alphonse Mouzon, Bill Henderson, the late Teddy Edward, Sam Most, Eloise Laws and Carl Saunders to name a few. Earlier this month, he made his Hollywood Bowl debut as musical director for an all-Filipino concert curated by Black Eyed Peas’ member Apl.de.ap.
Saxophonist Ner de Leon, who stunned the audience at the “Jazzmopolitan: Gentlemen of Jazz” concert, will be back in another spectacular performance. The Berklee College of Music educated musician hails from a long bloodline of musicians and has been playing music since he was eight years old. Over the years, Ner has developed a timber that distinguishes his unique and superb style and sound that truly sets him apart from the rest.
PAE Live! has invited two very special artists who originated the “Jazzmopolitan” series to perform at this final concert. With a career that spans all of the entertainment genres (television, film, theater, music and performance), singer/songwriter Becca Godinez – who made her debut at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this month - has a special place in her heart for jazz music, the second vocal specialty she studied in college (after classical music). Expect Becca’s command of bossa nova and Brazilian jazz to shine during the concert. Mon David, the 2006 winner of the London International Jazz Competition, is also coming to close out the series. The major jazz singer from the Philippines who can sing any type of music with credibility, creativity, heartfelt emotion and wit has been creating waves in the U.S. since he moved here. He cites influences from Frank Sinatra, Kurt Elling, Eddie Jefferson and Mark Murphy on his music.
The featured artist for the show is smooth jazz saxman Michael Paulo, who has been part of all the “Jazzmopolitan” concerts since the series originated. One of the most versatile saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for over twenty years, the Hawaiian born Paulo has added his distinct “saxpertise” to a virtual Who's Who of artists including Al Jarreau, James Ingram, trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Peter White, Oleta Adams, Patti Austin, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit and Johnny Mathis to name a few. Paulo grew up in a musical family (his father a pianist, his mother a singer, his siblings all playing instruments) but chose a more adventurous road by joining Hawaiian pop/rock band Kalapana, which had some success on the mainland but was most popular in Japan. He continues to produce the annual Temecula Wine & Music Festival and continues to play his own brand of music around the world.
“This will be an unforgettable evening of jazz music,” promises director/producer Rex Sampaga. “The caliber of artists, both young and seasoned, is extraordinary and they bring a level of musicianship and performance that showcase not only their talent but also the music. Even though it will be our last Jazzmopolitan concert in this form, I am eagerly awaiting this show!”
A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to the ABS-CBN Foundation International, Inc. a registered non-profit organization under the multi-media global ABS-CBN network, and in particular, to their flagship program “Bantay Bata” (or “Child Watch”). Bantay Bata is a child welfare program in the Philippines that not only rescues and rehabilitates sick and abused children, but also provides shelter, therapy and quality home care for rescued children until they can be reunited with their families or referred to proper child-caring agencies. The program gives emphasis on the family through the following services: training and advocacy on child abuse prevention, rehabilitation of families in crisis, educational scholarships, livelihood, community outreach and medical and dental missions. For more information on the Foundation and it’s work, visit www.abscbnfoundation.org.
Tickets for “Jazzmopolitan® All Stars” start at $25 and are $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under. Tickets are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323-461-3673 (for non-visual media 323-GO 1-FORD). For groups of 8 or more, please call 323-769-2147. For more information, visit http://fordtheatres.org/en/events/details/id/373. The concert is sponsored by the Asian Journal, BakitWhy.com, Gano Excel, FilamNation.com, Goldilocks, Island Pacific, Jeepney Asian Grill, the PinoyInsider.com and Seafood City in conjunction with Ford season sponsors KPFK 90.7 FM and LA18.
The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages are available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.
The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On-site stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows. For evening shows only,FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle cycles every 15 – 20 minutes and stops in the “kiss and ride” area.
“Jazzmopolitan®” produced by PAE Live!, is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2012 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.