The music of Jay Cayuca

CEBU, Philippines – Many of us fail to see the music scene here in the Philippines. What often catches our attention are foreign musicians and I am guilty of that, until I was serenaded by Jay Cayuca at the Luce Auditorium in Dumaguete City.

As he began his performance, I came to understand why music critics have described his act as “explosive.” His free-spirited versatility quickly ensnared the audience. He played classical, contemporary rock, jazz and pop, all in one night, exceeding my expectations.

Right after the show, I had the privilege to sit next to him for dinner, when he shared with me his passion for the instrument.

Mr. Cayuca was born in Butuan City in 1963 and brought up by a musically-inclined family. He settled for the violin at a very young age, and soon played for top orchestras, including the Philippin Philharmonic. He is multi-awarded, and has traveled all over the world, performing for different kinds of audiences.

Q: When did playing music with the violin spark your interest?

JC: The word “interest” did not exist in my family; we were all forced to play and learn a musical instrument. I was six years old when I started playing the piano, but I really couldn’t stand it because I found it very limiting. I decided to shift to another instrument which was the saxophone, but I had to let go of it because of a medical condition. One day, I told my father I wanted to play a different instrument and when I caught Ronni Rogoff on TV playing the violin for the first family at Malacañang Palace, and I said to my father, ‘That’s the instrument for me.’ After which, I finally settled on playing the violin.

Q:When did you start your career as a musician?

JC: When I was in high school, about 16, I decided that it was really what I wanted to do. But during the 60s and 70s, my parents didn’t recommend music as a career. Still, I did my best to convince them and they eventually realized that people cannot live without music. They helped me develop my talent by enrolling me at the University of Santo Tomas. I soon trained under maestros Basilio Manalo, Leonidas Domingo, Luis Valencia, and some German trainers. I had very good, if not the best teachers, which is why I gained focus to have a stable and good career during college. I paid my dues right after, in cruise ships and five-star hotels worldwide, and I also played for orchestras.

Q: What was your most memorable performance?

JC: It has to be my very, very first performance. I was with my mother, and we hired a passenger jeepney. We would go from one house to another during the Christmas season—caroling. I remember she used a megaphone. I had to play my violin really loud so that everyone could hear. I still remember my mom kept shouting, “Mali, mali! (Wrong, wrong!)” And I couldn’t stop her, so I had to push myself to do my very best.

Q: Who are your main influences?

JC: I have so many, but it started of course within my family. I admired both my parents. Then came my maestro Basilio Manalo, and foreign artists like Stefan Gatteli, Jean Laconti, Patrick Trinido—mostly jazz artists like Fritz Kreisler, Joe Venuti, and many more.

Q: How has your style changed in the past years?

JC: I like to infuse different kinds of music, so that there will be balance and also so that people will learn to appreciate different kinds of genres. I have always played music that makes me feel good, because I believe this way I have a chance to reach my audience and ideally have them feel first-class about what they are listening to. As my tastes develop, so does my playing. Every year, my style changes and expands. Still, I never let go of my classical background, which mainly differentiates my style from the others. I really enjoy mixing things up for flavor and at the same time find an emotional impact to ever piece for a more refined and musical style as I mature.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

JC: I have only two best kept secrets, just like real estate, the first one is location, location, location. Especially when you work in Manila, the competition is tough, so you have to be there when art booms. And secondly, practice, practice, practice. You have to learn to be satisfied and master your instrument to play the highest form of art, which is music, and my only motivation in playing music is that it is simply satisfying. Ask yourself ‘what motivates you?’ and if you have the answers, everything will follow.

Q: What is the next thing for Jay Cayuca?

JC: I’m coming up with my third album, which will be a dance album. My second album ‘Moonlight Serenade’ came after 14 years from my first. My second album basically introduces me as a solo artist. It caused me to put up my own label and produce my own independent music. In my third album, it will be a very different concept, it is going to be all dance music because I personally love dancing and I want to let the people experience that in my music. I want their hearts to skip a beat, and get up on their feet. It will be with a much faster beat, compared to my second album.

Q: After three decades of performing, what are your plans in the future?

JC: In my whole family, I was the only one who decided to pursue a career in music, even though all of us can play quite well. They always miss me because I carry with them a dream that came to reality; a part of them, and a part of their lives. Which is why, I believe that a musician never retires.