Boy Katindig and All That Jazz

CEBU, Philippines - International jazz pianist and recording artist Romeo “Boy” Katindig will be coming home impassioned with the purpose to revive jazz music in the Philippines, which faded out 25 years ago.

“I am coming back to my home country with the intention of reviving jazz music that was gone 25 years ago. I aim to bring back the fusion days to modern jazz,” Katindig said in a press conference during a recent visit here in Cebu following a jam-packed mall tour at The Northwing of SM City Cebu.

Famously known as Boy Katindig, he comes from a well-known clan of musicians who pioneered Latin jazz in Manila. His father is the Filipino jazz legend, Romy Katindig.

When he was 15 years old, he was able to perform in Cebu as a member of the famed “Circus Band,” which featured a 14-piece band. He played the organ, along with Gerry Paraiso who played the piano. Other instrumentalists were Rudy Lozano (lead guitar), Dani Boogie (percussions), Walter Calinawan (drums/percussions), who already passed away in early 90s, and Jerry Gamboa (bass guitar). The singers were Tillie Moreno, Ceres Jacinto, Jacqui Magno, Pat Castillo, Beth “Baby” Katindig, Henry Tongson, Richard Tan, Basil Valdez, Haji Alejandro and Pabs Dadivas. The group was managed by Atek Jacinto.

In 1978, Boy signed up with A&W Records International and recorded several albums under the Horizon label. His first album entitled “Midnight Lady” was awarded “Best Instrumental Composition” by the Himig Awards and Gold for its single “Don’t Ask My Neighbor.” The album was released in the U.S. by PAUSA, who had contemporary jazz pioneers Tom Grant and Alphonse Mouzon in its artist roster.

“After Midnight” followed and then “Love Fusion,” which Boy describes as “Horizon Record’s signature jazz project.” The album garnered awards for Best Jazz Instrumental and Best Performance in a Jazz Composition for “It’s Still September” from the Cecil Music Awards Foundation. His vocal composition, “Capture The Changes” featured in a single by Horizon was awarded Best Vocal Jazz Composition. The “Boy Katindig Band,” which spawned out of the “Midnight Lady” release, was also voted Best Jazz Group by the Aliw Awards Foundation consecutively for three years.

“In My Inner Fantasies” featured his top-selling double platinum vocal hit “I Will Always Stay In Love This Way.” Consistent airplay plus a series of successful concerts throughout Manila and neighboring cities followed each album release, making Boy’s name synonymous to contemporary jazz and as its main exponent from the Philippines.

One significant event was a sold-out concert with Japanese jazz harpist, “Tadao Hayashi” at the Araneta Coliseum.

Boy finally overcame the obstacles which often befall the progeny of many recording artists and established a key element in ensuring professional survival: his identity. With his father moving to the U.S. and with personal dreams of performing his music to a wider jazz audience, Boy finally made Los Angeles California his home.

“There’s a new avenue for records. My dad moved to San Francisco and he said to me, ‘Why do you try your songs out there?’. So, I tried and followed what my father told me,” he said.

In 1986, after performances in Southeast Asia, the last of which was with Shakuhachi flutist John Kaizan Neptune at the Pyramid Theater in Kuala Lumpur, he realized the need for growth and international acceptance that he finally decided to move to the United States, the homeland of his craft.

Four years later in 1990, he produced and recorded his first U.S. album, together with L.A. jazz luminaries Gerald Albright, Abraham Laboriel, Brandon Fields and Phil Upchurch, to name a few.

Boy’s performances led him to Hawaii where he met saxophonist Michael Paulo, famous for his stints with Al Jarreau, Kalapana, James Ingram, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin and mutual friend, David Benoit. Michael, who was looking for artists for his record company, Noteworthy Records, took notice of Boy’s indie release “Journey To Love” and produced his self-titled CD release in 1995.

After its release, performances around Los Angeles followed with Boy joining the Michael Paulo Band featuring Seawind’s Pauline Wilson. Most significant of these performances was at the Japan American Theater and at 94.7 The Wave Ala Carte, which featured artists like Branford Marsalis, Jeff Lorber, Tom Scott, Peter White and Rick Braun.

You can hear Boy’s music from national and international jazz stations like CD 101.9 of New York, CD 101.9 Hawaii, Hartford, CT., 106.5 Smooth Jazz St Louis, KNUR of Redlands, CA., KUNV of Las Vegas, in the internet particularly featured in Billy Garmon’s Just Right Jazz (Live365.com), KIPO Jazz 89.3 FM, Hawaii and Japan Jazz Radio.

Boy Katindig is also resident tour pianist/keyboardist of Peak recording artist Paul Taylor.

He will be releasing a new CD under MCA at the end of the year.

As he plans his retirement here in the Philippines, he would love to help people elevate their level of playing jazz and of music in general.

On that note, expect him to reach out if not collaborate with local artists in the near future. He will also be returning to Cebu to showcase more of his music. “This will not be my last performance here in Cebu. I’ll be here for a complete fusion of jazz,” he ended.