Julia plays the piano

Julia at the UST Conservatory of Music Recital Room

During the summer vacation 2012, we enrolled Julia at Crave School of Music at QC to learn how to play the piano. Three times a week for one hour for a total of 10 hours, she was taught how to read notes and play the piano properly by Teacher Rex, a faculty at UST. "Julia learns fast and she can read the musical notes correctly", commented her teacher.  Indeed she learned a lot. I bought a music book and she easily played the piano pieces by just reading the notes. So we extended her lessons for additional 10 hours.

Last June 1, 2012, Crave School of Music organized a Summer Recital at the UST Conservatory of Music. There were 26 performances by the students and teacher - voice, guitar, paino and violin. It was a marvel to watch and hear the guitar duo performance of two brothers who played "When you say nothing at all." Apple should have been part of the recital for guitar if she continued her lessons with Crave. Julia played three peices: "The Steam Shovel", "The Hotdog Stand", and "Old Macdonald."  Here is a video of her recital for the two pieces.



Baihana

BAIHANA at Conspiracy Bar, QC (Dec. 2010) - Photo by Ruben Samson

Last December 2010, we dropped by at Conspiracy Bar, Visayas Ave., QC to watch Noel Cabangon. My brother-in-law, Ruben and his daughters, Christina and Melissa joined Apple and me. Ruben was a converted fan of Noel - he even bought one CD and asked Noel to sign an autograph on the CD label. Ofcourse we enjoyed Noel's performance of his original songs and renditions of other artists' songs - both in English and Filipino. But what we enjoyed more was the surpirse guest performers that night - Baihana, a group of three young and pretty female singers who have fresh and lovely voices. Their style is similar to that of the Manhattan Transfer's (But according to their Facebook profile, their influences were The Andrews Sisters, The Chordettes, The Puppini Sisters). The trio uses their powerful and harmonious vocal chords to produce a melodius and rythmic jazz and pop music. They interpret both Filipino and Enlgish songs according to their unique style. We are looking forward to the success of this group. It's refreshing to see new Pinoy singing groups emerge after we have been flooded with too many singers who try to be bossa nova and samba singers.

Watch Baihana sing "Mamang Kutsero."

Experiencing DEODATO's Music

Thirty years ago, I bought my first music cassette tape of Eumir Deodato. During those years in my college days, I was influenced by my batchmate Royce to listen to Jazz music and one of the musicians he introduced to me was Deodato. The music of Deodato is characterized by repeated rythms with his keyboard as the lead and with back-up of sounds from a horn, flute, trumpet, percussions, drums and guitars. When you listen to his music, you will imagine a complete orchestra but actually his band consists of only about 7 to 8 musicians.

After thirty years after my first exposure to Deodato, I didn't realize that I will watch him perform live here in Manila last July 31, 2010 at the SMX. Before going to this concert, I first watched YouTube videos of Deodato. During the Manila concert, I noticed that the quality of his music remains outstanding whether he performs in Finland, USA or the Philippines. His band may be different for every location, but his performance and music doesn't change. In the Manila concert, his back-up band were all Filipino artists - very versatile and talented. Each musician showed their talent by doing solo acts.

Watching a Deodato concert is like going back in time. For one, the audience is composed of old timers - grey haired or bald headed fans. I had influenced my wife, Apple with Deodato's music ; that's why Apple has also became a fan too. Listening to Deodato's music is a mixed experience - exhilirating, relaxing, highstrung and passionate - depending on the musical piece he plays. I enjoyed the music especially my favorites: Adam's Hotel, Speak Low, Also Sprach Zarathustra, Baubles, Bangles & Beads and Carly & Carole. I bought a two-CD album at the concert site which is a bargain for P300 being a collector's edition.

Watch this YouTube concert of Deodato in Finland. The performance is the same as what I experienced.

Thrilling the World

I just watched the video of the more the 1,500 inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), Cebu, Philippines practicing Michael Jackson's Thriller. Very entertaining (except for the lead actor or actress being chased by the zombie prisoners). This video was uploaded on Feb 2008 more than a year before MJ passed away. Indeed, MJ has thrilled the world with his music and his life, but the world was also thrilled by the choreographed performance of CPDRC inmates.