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 ALL-FILIPINO U.P. Jazz Ensemble Concert Program
Abelardo Hall, U.P.College of Music Sept.28, Tuesday 6pm
*Aloyan Blues Opener
*Aloyan Blues – Dick Zamora
Written by UP College of Music 1949 alumnus, Dick Zamora, and fellow Upsilon member’s, Mart Martell and Teddy Yabut in 1950, for a Upsilon Sigma Phi musicale called Aloyan. Pianist Emil Mijares wrote the orchestration and was the musical director that featured Nanette Moscardon (now Mrs. Rayben Maigue) on the soprano.
Featured soloists: Ramon Mancio on trumpet; Jess Villaflores on alto sax; Michael Guevarra on tenor sax; Mars Garcia on guitar; and Ria Villena Osorio on piano.
 Balik-Bayan – Angel M. Peña
A Pinoyjazz fantasy homecoming piece written in 2001, in which Angel skillfully adapted the folk-theme “Planting Rice”. After living in Hawaii and California for thirty-three years, Angel retires to Manila in 2002. This is his way of embracing his motherland, the Philippines! Featured soloists: Jethro Torres on trumpet; Jess Villaflores on alto sax; and Michael Guevarra on tenor sax.
Jazz a Little Something – Angel M. Peña
Like “Café Expresso”, the subtlety of this theme does not reveal a 12-bar feel. The chord progression is essentially blues but the theme doesn’t always cooperate with the chords behind it. Angel has the propensity of being iconoclast yet not too way beyond the realm of traditional practice. Featuring Rancis de Leon on alto sax.
 Trombonology – Angel M. Peña
Actually written as an Etude (study) for trombone that Angel wrote for advanced students. The first section is playful, using some sliding notes. The bridge is, in contrast, lyrical or “cantabile” like a song. The style is in a Jack Teagarden or Jimmy Young school of playing, with a Pinoy touch to it! This piece was tailor-made for Prof.Ron Nethercutt on trombone
 The Night is Cold – Angel M. Peña
Written in Hong Kong in the mid-‘60’s while stationed at the Hilton Hotel for two years. Angel dedicated this bossa-nova piece to his loving wife, Jo. Featured sparkling chanteuse, Mishka Arellano Adams on vocals, and original UPJE member, guitarist Mars Garcia on the ad-lib.
*When You’re Feeling Blue – Richie Quirino
A fast-paced bop number that features scatting in the bridge portion. Quirino dedicated the tune to information technology giant and owner of Monk’s Dream, Gus Lagman, who was graduated as a mechanical engineer from the University of the Philippines. Candid Records artist Mishka Arellano Adams, now a freshman of the College of Music, exhibited her singing prowess in this straight ahead tune, with Jess Villaflores and Michael Guevarra pitching in on the sax solos.
 *I’m in Love with a Dream – Freddie von Kauffman
Freddie was one of the founding fathers of the Executives Band in 1957. He played the trumpet and harmonica by night and was an advertising executive during the day. This piece was premiered at the Rizal Theater in 1963 by the Phil. All-Star-Jazz Octet. Freddie dedicated this lovely piece to his life-long partner, Charito. Featured one of the original members of the UPJazz Ensemble, Mel Villena on the harmonica.
In A Playfull Mood – Domeng Valdez
 Domeng Valdez was a master reed-man from the 1950’s till the 1980’s. The tenor and baritone sax were his favorites. He was also one of the most sought after arrangers during his time. Here is a rare original that he arranged specially for the UP Jazz Ensemble. Michael Guevarra provided the alto sax solo, and original UPJE member, drummer Mar Dizon, steered the band with his driving power!
 *A World Without You – Boy Palacio
Composed by California based pianist, Boy Palacio, and masterfully arranged by Angel Peña, for a big-band. It featured the piano doing the melody in a light but pensive mood. Angel and Boy have collaborated for many years in California, and delight in each other’s music. This piece was first performed in San Francisco last year, by a big-band headed by Boy’s son, John. Ria Villena Osorio interpreted this sensitive piece on the grand piano.
ROTO – Angel M. Peña
 “ROTO” stands for the first two letters of the names of two distinguished Pinoyjazz musicians and professors of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, Roger Llado, trumpet, and Tots Tolentino, alto sax, for whom this piece is written. There are two succeeding movements – slow and fast, as in a Prelude and Allegro in classical music. The featured soloists were Michael Guevarra on alto sax and Richie Gonzaga on the trumpet.
 *Basilan – Richie Quirino
“Basilan” a composition inspired by the present terrorist threats world wide, has a 4-note theme tribal in character, with exotic harmony and rhythms. Angel employed Avant-gard and traditional-classical techniques, American Big Band elements, and Filipino indigenous instruments making this landmark piece, fall under the genre of World Music. Ramon Mancio on trumpet and Michael Guevarra on tenor sax, delivered their improvisation skills on this serious piece of music.
*Pistahan – Richie Quirino
Of all the traditions that Spain has introduced to the Philippines, it is the Pistahan or Fiesta that has been strongly manifested in our cultural tradition. The pompousness and gaiety of this atmosphere, is cleverly captured by the “ubiquitous” Pinoyjazz historian, Richie Quirino. On piccolo was Christopher Oracion, while Michael Guevarra generously blew his tenor sax during the obligato section, conguero Toni Bernardo, and timbalero Einar Drilon, excited everybody with an exchange of percussion solos.
 Hey Mama – Jon Palacio Jr.
At 33 years of age, Jon Palacio Jr., is the youngest child of renowned pianist-arranger, Boy Palacio. A pianist and composer-arranger himself, Jon pursued his bachelors of music at the Chabot Community College and completed his masters at the California State University in Hayward. He heads two big-bands and a 40 piece symphony orchestra from his alma-mater. He has dedicated this beautiful piece to the memory of his mother, Leticia. Rancis de Leon will execute this ballad on his alto sax.
Ground Zero – Ronald Tomas and Koko Bermejo
Composed by Ronald Tomas and Koko Bermejo, and originally recorded by the quartet WDOUJI (witch doctors of underground jazz improvisation). This piece was heard for the first time in a big-band setting arranged by Ronald Tomas, who recently studied arranging under Angel Peña. Ronald rendered his solo on his favorite horn, the tenor sax
*Vestre’s Tune – Nello Giansiracusa
Written by an Italian guitarist-composer living in Melbourne, Australia, Nello Giansiracusa, for his long time musical companion, master trumpeter, Vestre Roxas. Nello graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 1975. He befriended Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow and Mick Goodrick among others while in Boston. He is married to a Filipina from Bicol and has two children. The flute is the featured soloist generously provided by Ronald Tomas!
Café Expresso – Angel M. Peña
This 12- bar blues was inspired by Angel while sipping on his favorite brew at the Starbucks coffee shop in Solano Mall, California in the spring of 2004. A melody kept on singing in Angel’s mind, and with tablature on hand, he scribbled the music for him to arrange in the confines of his comfortable home. Richie Gonzaga contributed his profound musical statement via the trumpet.
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 Before the UP Jazz Ensemble performed its closing number, the College of Music acknowledged some of the original members of the UP Jazz Ensemble that performed that night:
Mel Villena, Mars Garcia, Ike Liongson, Mar Dizon, and most of all last but not least, Prof.Rayben Maigue.
The college of music, through its dean, Montet Acoymo, presented a token of appreciation to Lito Molina and Fred Robles, who both helped in the creation of the UP Jazz Ensemble many, many moons ago.
The college of music subsequently thanked the following composers for having generously contributed their works for the performance:
Dick Zamora, Boy and Jon Palacio, Ronald Tomas and Koko Bermejo, Domeng Valdez, Freddie von Kauffman, Nello Giansiracusa, Richie Quirino, and the Dalai Lama of Pinoyjazz, Maestro Angel Matias Peña.
*Arranged by Angel Peña
Echad reporting
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