BOY KATINDIG'S MANILA THRILLA

The Katindig clan of musicians, well known for having locally pioneered in Latin-jazz music in the late 1950's onwards, continues to dazzle their audiences from all walks of life and from all corners of the globe. One such member of this musically gifted family, Boy Katindig, has successfully penetrated the Las Vegas music scene for some time now.

Son of legendary pianist-musical-arranger, Romy Katindig, Boy followed his father's footsteps at the early age of nine taking formal classical piano lessons. At age 13 he formed his own band calling it 'Last Fogg', wherein he would switch around from playing the drums, to the bass, to the guitar, and to finally the keyboards where he naturally excelled in.

After doing the rounds with well known Manila bands like the 'Bits n' Pieces' and the 'Circus Band' for a number of years, Boy formed his own band in 1977 calling it the 'Boy Katindig Band'. The jazz-genre of choice was Fusion, the marriage of rock music with jazz that Charles Lloyd, Mike Nock, and Miles Davis popularized from the mid-1960's onwards. Boy's heroes were Fusion innovators Chick Corea of Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock of Headhunters, and Joe Zawinul of Weather Report.

Trailblazing Manila's growing jazz scene with performances at the Birds of the Same Feather and Vineyard, Boy attracted a number of backers that led to record deals, concerts and overseas performances. Boy's original tune "Capture the Changes", rendered by Jacqui Magno for the album, and Eileen Castro on the live-stage, topped the charts! This "hit" paved the way for bigger and better things to come for Boy aka "Yob", a moniker bestowed on him by his fellow musician friends.

1978 was a banner year for Boy after having sealed a deal with AW Records International and recording a string of albums under the Horizon label. Consistent local air-play coupled with numerous concert dates made Boy's success a household name. His albums continued to reap awards from all the recognition bodies that had yearly events to honor the "best and brightest" in their respective fields. Boy certainly carved-out a niche for himself; something that the Katindig clan continues to be proud of.

Greener pastures lured the young Boy to move on to greater heights. After the EDSA peaceful revolution in 1986 and a series of extensive South East Asian tours, Boy sets his sights on mainland U.S.A., where his father Romy had been living for sometime. His father's friendship with Smooth-jazz pianist David Benoit, opened a few doors. In no time, radio stations KBLX in San Francisco and KKGO in Los Angeles took note of this extra-ordinary Filipino on the keyboards.

Four years later in 1990, his first U.S. album was launched featuring jazz stalwarts Gerald Albright, Abraham Laboriel, Brandon Fields, Russ Freeman (of the Rippingtons) and Phil Upchurch. In 1995, a stint in Hawaii with saxophonist Michael Paulo led Boy to Noteworthy Records where he signed-up releasing a self-titled album. His original "Puerto Princesa" enjoyed avid airplay and was featured in Jazziz Magazine's Cd compilation for May 1995. Other noted artists in the Noteworthy stable are: Michael Paulo, Pauline Wilson, Seawind, Michael White, Brian Simpson and Bill La Bounty. His latest album launched just this year in the U.S., Groovin' High, will be released locally in the near future.

For more info on Boy's new Cd, log on to: www.boykatindig.com

Las Vegas has been Boy's home for a number of years now where his band has been wowing audiences at the world famous Bellagio's Allegro Jazz Lounge. After almost 20 odd years, homesickness lured Boy back to Manila where he visited for a few weeks spending time with family, friends and fellow musicians alike. A "despedida party-jam" was held at Monk's inside Wasabi restaurant last June to an SRO crowd honoring Boy's presence and musicality.

Left: A blast from the past - 1st row: L -R ... Michael Guevarra, Bebo Quiroz, Eileen Sison, Sandra Lim Viray, Jun Viray, Boy Katindig, Jun Latonio, and Monk's owner Gus Lagman; 2nd row: L -R ... Johnny Gaerlan, Wowie Posadas (hidden behind Eileen) IKe Ijiran, Simon Tan and Richie Q.

Boy's musician friends that paid homage to him were Deo Arellano, Ginnie Tiongco, Henry Katindig, Johnny Alegre, Johnny Gaerlan, Jun Latonio, Jun Viray, Koyang Avenir, Mar Dizon, Mon David, Sandra Lim, Simon Tan, Uly Avante, Wowie Posadas; and club owners Tito Yuchengco and Gus Lagman. Guarana's Eileen Sison and her band hosted the event offering Brazilian-jazz ala Bossa Nova, Samba and Batucada; something Boy felt very at home with being Latin-jazz. Boy's tune "Capture the Changes" was interpreted by Eileen Sison which elicited "oohs and aahs" to the delight of the audience.

Eileen Sison's brainchild, Guarana, is the only band in Manila that specializes in Brazilian music with a touch of jazz. Inspired by pianist-composer Bong Peñera's success in the mid-1970's till he left for Chicago a decade or so later, Eileen felt it was time to fill the void and present this much loved genre with a new twist. One couldn't ask for anything more after a night like this! But there's more coming, Boy intends to be back in Manila come October with a few surprises up his sleeve. Let's all sit tight and watch what happens : )

GUARANA - Tom Marco, Eileen Sison, Michael Guevarra, Arwin Nava, Ike Ijiran, Richie Q. and Mike Ponce de Leon smile for the camera.

Richie Quirino

7/27/05