Humanfolk

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = HUMANFOLK

| image = Humanfolk.JPG

| image_size =

| landscape =

| alt =

| caption =

| alias =

| origin = United States / Philippines

| genre = World music,{{cite web

|url=http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/humanfolk

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506093813/https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/humanfolk

|archive-date=2021-05-06

|title=Humanfolk

| website=All About Jazz

|accessdate=December 28, 2014}} Urban folk

| years_active = 2008–present

| label = MCA Music Inc. (Philippines)

| current_members = Johnny Alegre
Abby Clutario
Kris Gorra Dancel

| past_members =

| associated_acts =

Johnny Alegre Affinity, Rubber Inc, Cambio, Eheads, Fuseboxx, Electric Kulintang, Imago, Apartel{{cite web

|url=https://tycoonpercussion.com/artist/deej-rodriguez/

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506094032/https://tycoonpercussion.com/artist/deej-rodriguez/

|archive-date=2021-05-06

|title=Deej Rodriguez}}

| website =

}}

HUMANFOLK{{Cite web

|title=Human + Folk = Pinoy World Music

|url=https://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/cokemusicstudio/human-folk-pinoy-world-music-070811280.html

|website=ph.news.yahoo.com

|language=en-PH}} is a concept album and concept band of guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre with the multi-instrumentalist Cynthia Alexander and the electronica exponent Malek Lopez, along with the visiting New York City–based Fil-Am percussionist Susie Ibarra{{cite web

|url=http://rogue.ph/features/2013/1/28/64zegimb1w5ewd31huyfm6yacuzeqg

|title=The Epiphany of Humanfolk

|date=January 31, 2013 |website=Rogue Magazine Philippines

|publisher=Rogue Media Inc.

|accessdate=December 23, 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224050456/http://rogue.ph/features/2013/1/28/64zegimb1w5ewd31huyfm6yacuzeqg

|archivedate=December 24, 2014 }} and her husband, drummer Roberto Juan Rodriguez. The pioneering effort marked the convergence in a contemporary Philippine setting of multiple musical idioms (jazz, rock, electronic music, kulintang, agung and indigenous percussion, with Iberian and folk music influences). The group's name is a deliberate conjoining of the words "human" and "folk", akin to "menfolk" and "womenfolk", without prejudice to gender and frequently set in all caps to distinguish it from a dictionary term.

History

The band started as a project between jazz and world music musicians in the summer of 2008.{{cite web

|url=https://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/photos/2nd-ccp-international-jazz-festival-to-be-held-from-september-17-22-slideshow/humanfolk-photo-1378968451120.html

|date=September 12, 2013

|title=2nd CCP International Jazz Festival to be held from September 17–22

|publisher=Yahoo! Celebrity Philippines

|accessdate=December 26, 2014}} The introduction of Alegre, Ibarra and Rodriguez at the United States Embassy in Manila spurred a series of musical and social interactions. The impetus culminated in the recording sessions for the "Humanfolk Suite", a world music cycle composed by Alegre, for which Alexander and Lopez completed the HUMANFOLK quintet.

Towards October 2008, the threesome of Alegre, Alexander, and Lopez performed a live semi-improvised score for a short, silent film by Sasha Palomares, entitled Une Femme Andalouse, which was awarded the KODAK Best 16mm Experimental Film in that year by the Kodak Filmschool Competition. They were subsequently invited to perform at the 4th Philippine International Jazz & Arts Festival in February 2009, and a live collaborative performance with the Australian didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton in January 2010, that also introduced vocalist-keyboardist Abby Clutario as a new principal member of the group. These appearances and many others that followed led to the release by MCA Music (Universal Music Group) of Humanfolk's eponymous album in May 2011.{{cite web

|url=http://statusmagonline.com/humanfolk-album-launch/

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224043955/http://statusmagonline.com/humanfolk-album-launch/

|archive-date=2014-12-24

|date=May 11, 2011

|title=Humanfolk Rhapsody

|publisher=Status Magazine

|last=Albano

|first=Lou

|accessdate=December 24, 2014}}{{cite web

|url=http://www.fhm.com.ph/entertainment/music/article/7650

|date=May 12, 2011 |title=Music Review: Humanfolk by Humanfolk

|publisher=FHM Philippines

|accessdate=December 28, 2014 |url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175808/http://www.fhm.com.ph/entertainment/music/article/7650

|archivedate=April 2, 2015 }}

In 2012, Humanfolk was conferred an Awit Award for the song "Para Sa Tao", as Best World Music Recording by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).{{cite news

|date=December 5, 2012 |title=MCA music artists honored at 25th Awit Awards

|url=http://entertainment.inquirer.net/70657/mca-music-artists-honored-at-25th-awit-awards

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506100027/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/70657/mca-music-artists-honored-at-25th-awit-awards

|archive-date=2021-05-06

|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer

|location=Philippines

|accessdate=December 23, 2014 }} Upon the exodus of two founding members, Cynthia Alexander{{cite news

|last=Bautista

|first=Christian Brazil

|date=June 23, 2012 |title=Cynthia Alexander's intimate send-off

|url=http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/53821/cynthia-alexanders-intimate-send-off

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506100412/https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/53821/cynthia-alexanders-intimate-send-off/

|archive-date=2021-05-06

|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer

|location=Philippines

|accessdate=December 23, 2014 }} (for the United States) and Malek Lopez (for Singapore), Alegre and Clutario have continued as Humanfolk's principal members in a configuration described as Mark II, which was introduced in 2013 before international audiences in Singapore's Mosaic Music Festival and Malaysia's Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival. In the Philippines, the group performed at the 2nd CCP International Jazz Festival in September 2013,{{cite news

|date=September 11, 2013 |title=Johnny Alegre brings Jazz further on Radar

|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/johnny-alegre-brings-jazz-further-on-radar/

|newspaper=Manila Bulletin

|location=Philippines

|accessdate=December 23, 2014 |url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155545/http://www.mb.com.ph/johnny-alegre-brings-jazz-further-on-radar/

|archivedate=April 2, 2015 }}{{cite web

|url=http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/press-room/2nd-ccp-international-jazz-festival-to-be-held-from-september-17-22-2/

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094231/http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/press-room/2nd-ccp-international-jazz-festival-to-be-held-from-september-17-22-2/

|archive-date=2016-03-04

|date=August 28, 2013

|title=2nd CCP International Jazz Festival to be held from September 17–22

|publisher=Cultural Center of the Philippines

|accessdate=December 28, 2014}} and recorded the promotional EP, Ephipany. In January 2015, the group performed in India at the Saarang International Cultural Festival{{cite web

|url=http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/announcements/announcement.php?i=6231

|title=Humanfolk launches "Countdown to Saarang"

|date=October 20, 2014 |website=National Commission for Culture and the Arts

|publisher=NCCA

|accessdate=December 23, 2014 |url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224025944/http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/announcements/announcement.php?i=6231

|archivedate=December 24, 2014 }} organized by IIT Madras. Towards the end of 2015, the group was joined by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Kris Gorra Dancel;{{Cite web

|title=Music Industry Professionals Discover New Music the Old Way

|url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/music/music-industry-professionals-discover-new-music-the-old-way-a1502-20180818-lfrm

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506101007/https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/music/music-industry-professionals-discover-new-music-the-old-way-a1502-20180818-lfrm

|archive-date=2021-05-06

|website=Esquiremag.ph}} and session percussionist Deej Rodriguez. This expanded group, described as Mark III, recorded the year-end extended play Naglalarong Ilaw, an independent release.

As a fitting counterpoint to HUMANFOLK's performance in November 2010 when they were launched at the Ayala Museum{{cite web

|title=Jazz at Ayala Museum

|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2010/11/15/629787/jazz-ayala-museum

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214032812/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2010/11/15/629787/jazz-ayala-museum

|archive-date=December 14, 2023

|website=philstar.com

|accessdate=December 14, 2023}}{{cite web

|title=+ Follow JOHNNY ALEGRE HUMANFOLK Tag

|url=https://www.philstar.com/tags/johnny-alegre-humanfolk

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214034137/https://www.philstar.com/tags/johnny-alegre-humanfolk

|archive-date=December 14, 2023

|website=philstar.com

|accessdate=December 14, 2023}} — the music of HUMANFOLK was once again presented in a 2-hour Ayala Museum retrospective concert in November 2023, entitled "Indigenous Legacies"{{cite web

|title=JEEPNEY JAZZ: INDIGENOUS LEGACIES

|url=https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/news-updates/jeepney-jazz/

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213033049/https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/news-updates/jeepney-jazz/

|archive-date=December 13, 2023

|website=filipinaslibrary.org.ph

|accessdate=December 13, 2023}}

hosted by the Filipinas Heritage Library.{{cite web

|title=Listen to OPM classics played with the kulintang

|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/leisure/the-guide/2023/11/16/things-to-do-nov-16-to-21.html

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213050838/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/leisure/the-guide/2023/11/16/things-to-do-nov-16-to-21.html

|archive-date=December 13, 2023

|website=cnnphilippines.com

|url-status=dead

|accessdate=December 13, 2023}}{{cite web

|title=Filipinas Heritage Library tackles jazz

|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2023/09/27/547817/artsculture-09-27-23/

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213054444/https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2023/09/27/547817/artsculture-09-27-23/

|archive-date=December 13, 2023

|website=bworldonline.com

|accessdate=December 13, 2023}}

Personnel

= Eponymous 1st album =

Johnny Alegre – guitars, bungkaka, piano, tambourine, vocals
Cynthia Alexander – guitars, bass, agung, vocals, bungkaka, tongatong
Malek Lopez – computer, sound design, keyboards
Susie Ibarra – kulintang, kulintang a kayo, drum kit, vocals and handclaps
Roberto Juan Rodriguez – drum kit, cajón, bongos
Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards, Chapman Stick

= Mark II =

Johnny Alegre – guitars, percussion, vocals
Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards, Chapman Stick
Yuna Reguerra (1) – bass
Rodney Vidanes (2) – bass
Paolo Manuel (1) – drums
Zach Lucero (2) – drums

= Mark III =

Johnny Alegre – guitars, percussion, vocals
Kris Gorra Dancel – vocals, rhythm guitar,
Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards, Chapman Stick
Rodney Vidanes – bass
Zach Lucero – drums
Malek Lopez – computer, sound design, keyboards
Deej Rodriguez – percussion

= Mark IV =

Johnny Alegre – guitars, percussion, vocals
Kris Gorra Dancel – vocals, rhythm guitar,
Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards, Chapman Stick
Tusa Montes{{Cite journal|last=Montes|first=Tusa|title=Music Festivals in the Philippines: Tropicality, Identity, Cosmopolitanism|url=https://jfmo.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Art-Archive-3_HiRes.pdf|journal=Art Archive 03|publisher=The Japan Foundation Manila|pages=78}} – kulintang, sarunai, percussion

= Mark V =

Johnny Alegre – guitars, percussion, vocals
Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards
Tusa Montes – Maguindanao percussion
Mlou Matute – Kalinga-Apayao percussion
Yan Bagay Cruz – bass
Paolo Manuel – drums
Eric Tubon – electronic percussion

Discography

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

!Title

!Label

!Type

2011

|Humanfolk{{Cite web

|title=Humanfolk Rhapsody

|url=http://statusmagonline.com/?p=21699

|website=Status Mag

|language=en-US}}

| MCA Universal

| Studio album

2011

|"Para sa Tao" (radio edit)

| MCA Universal

| Single

2014

|Epiphany{{cite news

|last=Arcellana

|first=Juaniyo

|date=November 3, 2014 |title=Chennai, Memphis, Bavaria

|url=http://www.philstar.com/arts-and-culture/2014/11/03/1386910/chennai-memphis-bavaria

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915071801/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2014/11/03/1386910/chennai-memphis-bavaria

|archive-date=2018-09-15

|newspaper=The Philippine Star

|location=Philippines

|accessdate=December 24, 2014 }}

| Independently released

| Extended play

2015

|Naglalarong Ilaw

| Independently released

| Extended play

Videography

Title ! Musicians ! Director ! Producer ! Category ! Year ! Country
class="wikitable sortable"
Para Sa Tao{{Citation \|title=HUMANFOLK: "Para Sa Tao" (Music Video) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckFjbv73jbE \|language=en}} \| Abby Clutario, vocals, keyboards & Chapman Stick ♦ Johnny Alegre, acoustic guitar ♦ Cynthia Alexander, bass ♦ Malek Lopez, electronics \| Daphne Oliveros \| PH AFFINITY Productions \| music video \| 2011 \| Philippines
Hexagram II{{Citation \|title=[Perthman Mobile] HUMANFOLK – Hexagram 2 \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovFyIoTUqNQ \|language=en}} \| Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars & percussion ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums ♦ Frances Escapé, percussion \| Perth Salva \| PH AFFINITY Productions \| live in the studio \| 2013 \| Philippines
Himig Ng Pasko{{Citation \|title=HUMANFOLK: "Himig Ng Pasko" (Music Video) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_x7IuiMOqo \|language=en}} \| Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars & percussion ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums \| JM Quiblat \| PH AFFINITY Productions \| music video \| 2014 \| Philippines
Naglalarong Ilaw{{Citation \|title=HUMANFOLK: "Naglalarong Ilaw" (Music Video) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27NqxN0tGKk \|language=en}} \| Kris Gorra Dancel, vocals & rhythm guitar ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars ♦ Abby Clutario, keyboards & harmonies ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums ♦ Deej Rodriguez, percussion \| Phillip Miguel Luis & Lycylle Bianca Tse Cawaling \| PH AFFINITY Productions \| music video \| 2015 \| Philippines
Indiemand{{Citation \|title=TFC Original Indiemand Humanfolk \|url=https://vimeo.com/293266156 \|language=en}}{{Citation \|title=Indiemand – Human Folk {{!}} TFC QuaranThings \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1ujXxxr_EA \|language=en}} \| Johnny Alegre, guitars ♦ Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Deej Rodriguez, percussion \| Pamela Carbonell \| The Filipino Channel{{Cite web \|title=iWantTFC \|url=https://tfc.tv/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506103513/https://tfc.tv/ \|archive-date=2021-05-06 \|website=TFC \|language=en}} \| music video \| 2019 \| Philippines