Jazz keeping up with the times

MANILA, Philippines – Those who think the popularity of jazz is waning should better think again. There are brilliant jazz artists who continue to propagate the music genre and there are countless music aficionados out there who patronize jazz.

This is the reason singers such as Richard Merk, Jacqui Magno and even Olivia take pride in performing in the Wednesday Jazz Festival at Merk’s Bar and Bistro, the Greenbelt 2 restaurant and music lounge owned by Richard and wife Roni Tapia-Merk.

“I still believe there are so many jazz lovers out there who are just waiting for the right show to watch,” Richard maintains. “We want to position jazz well in the music market so that people won’t lose their interest in jazz.”

The Wednesday Jazz Festival features a seasoned jazz artist every month who regales the audience with impressive pieces. Given there are very few jazz singers in the local scene, the weekly gig has managed to keep going — thanks to Richard who makes every effort to convince his fellow jazz artists to keep jazz alive.

Even singers who are on semi-retirement like Jacqui Magno and Pat Castillo are plucked out from their hiatus from the music scene to perform at Merk’s. Other artists also come unannounced, but gamely jam onstage with the featured performer.

“This show also allows us to to discover budding jazz talents,” Richard points out. “There was this 17-year-old singer from the UP College of Music, Lara Maigue, who is so talented. She is the niece of (flutist) Tony Maigue. She jammed with me onstage and we were able to showcase her talent.”

Richard is undoubtedly one of the most versatile performers in the Philippines. Known for his enviable musical range, he is primarily honed in jazz by his popular mother, Jazz Queen Annie Brazil. Using the discipline of jazz, he was able to widen his reach to pop, yet create his distinct sound and inimitable style.

He makes a song come alive by giving it his unique version and breathing more soul into the melody. Apart from singing good music, he also plays the conga, drums, guitar, bass and piano. Through the years, he has earned the title as the country’s undisputed Prince of Jazz.

Richard showcases his brand of jazz in the Wednesday Jazz Festival at Merk’s, which he also hosts. Another come-on for the show are the musicians who play, as part of their repertoire, the tunes of jazz greats such as Bob James, Spyro Gyra, Willie Bobo, Dave Gruisin and Chuck Mangione.

“This is the kind of music you can’t hear elsewhere,” Richard boasts. “We even have a trumpet player from Hong Kong who’s here for a few months to play at Merk’s. There’s nothing like jazz.”

Roni discloses that Merk’s has been flooded with e-mail by jazz enthusiasts who want to listen to jazz music. “They want jazz to be part of our nightly offerings, that’s why this show was made for them,” Roni grants.

Featured artist this month is Jacqui Magno, who is known for her incredible musical versatility. Jazz has become synonymous with her and she takes great joy in experimenting with new sounds.

Richard attests Jacqui is always in her element every time she performs on the Merk’s stage. “She rarely performs these days, but when she told me she wanted to sing again, Roni and I lost no time in making her the featured artist in the jazz night,” Richard shares. “When we announced she was performing, we received several e-mails from guests excited to listen to Jacqui again.”

A former member of Circus Band with Pat, Tillie Moreno, Hajji Alejandro, Basil Valdez, Pabs Dadivas, Boy Katindig, Jerry Paraiso and the late Richard Tann, Jacqui went solo in the late ‘70s and performed in top Malate night spots like Spindle, My Father’s Moustache and Casa Pensione. She later released her solo album which contains You and the Night, English version of Jim Paredes’ composition, Ikaw at ang Gabi.

Admittedly, Jacqui has a reclusive mentality. Hence she really considers herself semi-retired. “I have to be inspired when I sing,” she says. “I am convinced there’s really an audience for jazz, that’s why I continue to sing. Even if jazz is hard, you have to love it. You infect the audience when you sing jazz.”

Richard and Jacqui working together is nothing new. Back in the late ‘70s, they used to sing in Birds of the Same Feather, a popular night haunt in Quezon City which later became Birdland. Since then, they have both been identified with jazz and have become the country’s jazz icons.

“Jazz brings out your creativity and innovativeness,” Jacqui imparts. “You sing the standard tune, but create a new version on the spot. It’s more fun to sing jazz because you can make the song new every time. It’s always fresh.”

Complementing Richard and Jacqui every Wednesday night is singing newcomer Olivia, who has been getting raves for her jazz renditions and innate singing talent. Singing is in her genes — mom Brenda Ponce-Enrile Tirona is a singer and so is grandmom Armida Siguion-Reyna.

Olivia started singing at 15 and honed her talent in music lounges where she also learned to adopt jazz. She is the first Filipino awardee in the Astana Song Festival in Kazakhstan, where she interpreted Vehnee Saturno’s You’re All That I Live For.