Johnny Alegre AFFINITY
Johnny Alegre AFFINITY
Founding members, from left to right: (seated) Tots Tolentino, (standing) Johnny Alegre and Colby de la Calzada, (foreground) Elhmir Saison and Koko Bermejo
Background information
OriginPhilippines
GenresJazz
Years active2002 - present
Labels
MembersJohnny Alegre (guitar), Colby dela Calzada (bass), Elhmir Saison (piano)
Past membersKoko Bermejo (drums), Tots Tolentino (sax), Simon Tan (contrabass), Ria Osorio (keyboards/orchestration)
Websitejohnnyalegre.com

The Johnny Alegre AFFINITY is a jazz group originating from the Philippines. It is led by self-taught Philippine guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre, together with bassist Colby de la Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison and saxophonist Tots Tolentino. The ensemble first gathered in May 2002 at Manila’s Pink Noise Studios for Alegre’s composition, “Stones of Intramuros”, for inclusion in the jazz anthology CD, Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist, Vol. 1, and thereafter carried on as a working unit.

The band's first public appearance in October of the same year for the Adobo Jazz album launch at the Monk's Dream Jazz Bar heralded the AFFINITY's reputation – as described 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 emerged in various guises and personnel variations, composed of a who's who of luminaries from the Philippine jazz scene.

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 release of the eponymous album, Johnny Alegre AFFINITY, renamed Jazzhound,[1] by the London-based jazz specialty label, Candid Records (UK).[2]

The band was prominently featured at the annual Fête de la Musique and the Korg Music Festival. In November, the Johnny Alegre AFFINITY inaugurated their new compositions and arrangements before an enthusiastic jazz audience at the University of the Philippines Theatre, which was subsequently broadcast, live, on prime time over national television. This national debut performance was also issued as a DVD by the sponsoring Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity and had since been included in a historical documentary of Philippine Jazz, issued by the Jazz Society of the Philippines. In 2004, AFFINITY once again became the focal point of two major jazz concert events, the Makati Jazz Festival celebrating its Foundation Day; and the 2nd Manila Jazz Festival.

In 2005, through critical support matched by impressive album sales, Candid Records ushered the Manila “jazz superband” through a tour of stellar performances (highlighted by a formal launch at the famed Ayala Museum), capped by two groundbreaking performances at London's PizzaExpress Jazz Club. Their repeat performance in the 3rd Manila Jazz Festival was subsequently issued as a DVD by the Jewelmer Corporation.[3] A new Candid Records release, entitled Eastern Skies, was launched in December 2007 featuring AFFINITY amidst big band and symphonic arrangements by orchestrator Ria Osorio featuring the music of Johnny Alegre with the Global Studio Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga.

Nominations

Year PARI Venue Category Nominated Work Results
2005 18th Awit Awards AFP Theater Best Jazz Album Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Nominated
2008 21st Awit Awards Eastwood Central Plaza Best Jazz Recording Beacon Call Nominated

Awards

Conferred on Johnny Alegre as leader

Year Award Giving Body Venue Award
2006 WWF Philippines Ayala Tower One Award Of Excellence for Exemplary Musicianship of "For A Living Planet"
2013 8th Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Icon Award
2014 Aliw Awards Newport Performing Arts Theater Best Instrumentalist[4][5][6]

Discography

Album Catalog/UPC No. Label Year
Stones of Intramuros (single) Track 9

Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist, Vol. 1

 IndiRa Records 2002
Johnny Alegre AFFINITY[7] CAN-KC-5001 Candid 2005
Jazzhound (UK release)[8] CCD-79842 Candid 2005
Jazzhound (radio edit, single) Track 4

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND: A Select Anthology of Songs Inspired by the Earth[9]

 WWF 2006
Eastern Skies[10] CAN-KC-5006 Candid 2007
Stories[11] UPC:00602537694600 MCA 2014
Johnny Alegre AFFINITY (2LP)[12][13] JAA-001-BR Backspacer Records[14] 2022

Videography

Title Musicians Director Producer Genre Year Country
Jazz in Time: Commemorative Concert XII[15] Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax Fritz Ynfante Upsilon Sigma Phi jazz concert 2003 Philippines
Jazzhound official music video[16] Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax Fritz Ynfante (concert footage)
Wilfred Galila (video montage)		 Mowelfund
PH AFFINITY Productions		 music video 2005 Philippines
3rd Manila Jazz Festival[17] Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Simon Tan, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax Angela Poblador Jewelmer International Corporation jazz concert 2005 Philippines
Pinoy Jazz: The Story of Jazz in the Philippines[18] Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax Collis Davis Richie Quirino,[19] Collis Davis documentary 2006 Philippines
Fête de la Musique 2011[20] Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, electric bass ♦ Mar Dizon, drums Franz Lawrence Tan Fête de la Musique[21] jazz concert 2011 Philippines
Tiendesitas Super Jazz Weekend[22] Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Yuna Reguerra, electric bass ♦ Wendell Garcia, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, keyboards Dondi Santos Tiendesitas jazz concert 2014 Philippines
Beacon Call[23] Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Joey Quirino, piano ♦ Ria Villena-Osorio, orchestration ♦ Gerard Salonga, conductor MCA Music Philippines PH AFFINITY Productions sampler 2014 Philippines

References

  1. ↑ "Jazzhound". store.candidrecords.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Candid Records Artist Roster". store.candidrecords.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Jewelmer Hosts 3rd Manila Jazz Festival". JCK The Industry Authority. November 1, 2005. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021.
  4. ↑ "2014 Aliw Awards". The Philippine Star. 2014. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Jed Madela wins top honor at 27th Aliw Awards". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
  6. ↑ "Full List of Winners of 27th Aliw Awards". lionheartv.net. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  7. ↑ Johnny Alegre – Affinity (2005, CD), archived from the original on May 2, 2021
  8. ↑ Johnny Alegre Affinity - Jazzhound | daddykool
  9. ↑ "The Harmonics of being Environmentally Sound". World Wildlife Fund - Philippines. August 18, 2006. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  10. ↑ Johnny Alegre – Eastern Skies (2007, CD)
  11. ↑ "Album Review: Stories by Johnny Alegre Affinity". Adobo Magazine. June 2, 2014. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Jazz masterpiece 'Affinity' by Johnny Alegre out on vinyl this October 2". ABS-CBN News. October 2, 2022.
  13. ↑ "On Vinyl, "Affinity" is a Sonic Masterpiece". ourbrew.ph. October 16, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Brand & Business: Sony Music taps Backspacer Records". AdoboMagazine.com. December 6, 2021.
  15. ↑ Torrevillas, Domini M. "Upsilon mystique". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  16. ↑ Johnny Alegre AFFINITY: "Jazzhound" (Music Video)
  17. ↑ "Jewelmer Hosts 3rd Manila Jazz Festival". Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Pinoy Jazz: The Story of Jazz in the Philippines". www.cultureunplugged.com.
  19. ↑ Carol (September 8, 2015). "A Filipino Jazz Musician and Jazz Journalist". Turning East. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  20. ↑ Affinity - Fete Dela Musique 2011 - Jazzhound
  21. ↑ "Fete De La Musique 2011". Philippine Concerts. June 24, 2011. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
  22. ↑ Johnny Alegre Affinity at Tiendesitas Super Jazz Weekend
  23. ↑ Beacon Call, Johnny Alegre "Stories" sampler
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