Johnny Alegre Affinity
{{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Johnny Alegre AFFINITY
| image = JA_AFFINITY_EPK-2005.JPG
| landscape =
| alt = Johnny Alegre AFFINITY
| caption = Founding members, from left to right: (seated) Tots Tolentino, (standing) Johnny Alegre and Colby de la Calzada, (foreground) Elhmir Saison and Koko Bermejo
| origin = Philippines
| genre = Jazz
| years_active = 2002 - present
| label = * Candid Records (UK)
| associated_acts = Humanfolk, UP Jazz Ensemble, Mammals Musik, Absolute Zero Group, WDOUJI, Gerard Salonga
| website = {{URL|johnnyalegre.com}}
| current_members = Johnny Alegre (guitar), Colby dela Calzada (bass), Elhmir Saison (piano)
| past_members = Koko Bermejo (drums), Tots Tolentino (sax), Simon Tan (contrabass), Ria Osorio (keyboards/orchestration)
}}
The Johnny Alegre AFFINITY is a jazz group originating from the Philippines. It is led by self-taught Philippine guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre, together with bassist Colby de la Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison and saxophonist Tots Tolentino. The ensemble first gathered in May 2002 at Manila’s Pink Noise Studios for Alegre’s composition, “Stones of Intramuros”, for inclusion in the jazz anthology CD, Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist, Vol. 1, and thereafter carried on as a working unit.
The band's first public appearance in October of the same year for the Adobo Jazz album launch at the Monk's Dream Jazz Bar heralded the AFFINITY's reputation – as described by aficionados in the ensuing reviews — as “Manila’s Jazz Superband”, with a power trio at its core. For the remainder of the year, the group emerged in various guises and personnel variations, composed of a who's who of luminaries from the Philippine jazz scene.
In 2003, the original quintet that recorded “Stones of Intramuros” returned to the studio to record new compositions by Alegre; followed by a succession of other dates leading to the release of the eponymous album, Johnny Alegre AFFINITY, renamed Jazzhound,{{Cite web
|title=Jazzhound
|url=http://store.candidrecords.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=122
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506090041/http://store.candidrecords.com/index.php?route=product%2Fproduct&product_id=122
|archive-date=May 6, 2021
|website=store.candidrecords.com}} by the London-based jazz specialty label, Candid Records (UK).{{Cite web
|title=Candid Records Artist Roster
|url=http://store.candidrecords.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=61
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506090041/http://store.candidrecords.com/index.php?route=product%2Fproduct&product_id=122
|archive-date=May 6, 2021
|website=store.candidrecords.com}}
The band was prominently featured at the annual Fête de la Musique and the Korg Music Festival. In November, the Johnny Alegre AFFINITY inaugurated their new compositions and arrangements before an enthusiastic jazz audience at the University of the Philippines Theatre, which was subsequently broadcast, live, on prime time over national television. This national debut performance was also issued as a DVD by the sponsoring Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity and had since been included in a historical documentary of Philippine Jazz, issued by the Jazz Society of the Philippines. In 2004, AFFINITY once again became the focal point of two major jazz concert events, the Makati Jazz Festival celebrating its Foundation Day; and the 2nd Manila Jazz Festival.
In 2005, through critical support matched by impressive album sales, Candid Records ushered the Manila “jazz superband” through a tour of stellar performances (highlighted by a formal launch at the famed Ayala Museum), capped by two groundbreaking performances at London's PizzaExpress Jazz Club. Their repeat performance in the 3rd Manila Jazz Festival was subsequently issued as a DVD by the Jewelmer Corporation.{{cite web
|url=https://www.jckonline.com/magazine-article/jewelmer-hosts-3rd-manila-jazz-festival
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504001039/https://www.jckonline.com/magazine-article/jewelmer-hosts-3rd-manila-jazz-festival/
|archive-date=May 4, 2021
|title=Jewelmer Hosts 3rd Manila Jazz Festival
|date=November 1, 2005
|publisher=JCK The Industry Authority}} A new Candid Records release, entitled Eastern Skies, was launched in December 2007 featuring AFFINITY amidst big band and symphonic arrangements by orchestrator Ria Osorio featuring the music of Johnny Alegre with the Global Studio Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga.
Nominations
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! PARI ! Venue ! Category ! Nominated Work ! Results |
| 2005
|18th Awit Awards |AFP Theater |Best Jazz Album |Johnny Alegre AFFINITY |{{nom}} |
| 2008
|Eastwood Central Plaza |Best Jazz Recording |Beacon Call |{{nom}} |
Awards
Conferred on Johnny Alegre as leader
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! style="width: 20%"|Award Giving Body ! Venue ! Award |
|---|
| 2006
| style="width: 150px"|WWF Philippines | Award Of Excellence for Exemplary Musicianship of "For A Living Planet" |
| 2013
| style="width: 150px"|8th Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival | Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila | Icon Award |
| 2014
| style="width: 150px"|Aliw Awards | Newport Performing Arts Theater | Best Instrumentalist{{cite web | url=http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2014/12/07/1399836/jed-2014-aliw-awards-entertainer-year |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506090527/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2014/12/07/1399836/jed-2014-aliw-awards-entertainer-year |archive-date=May 6, 2021 | title=2014 Aliw Awards | website=The Philippine Star | date=2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.pep.ph/guide/music/15021/jed-madela-wins-top-honor-at-27th-aliw-awards-baby-barredo-boy-abunda-lea-salonga--john-lesaca-named-lifetime-achievement-awardees |archive-url= |archive-date= | title=Jed Madela wins top honor at 27th Aliw Awards | website=Philippine Entertainment Portal }}{{cite web | url=http://www.lionheartv.net/2014/12/full-list-winners-27th-aliw-awards/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506091258/https://www.lionheartv.net/2014/12/full-list-winners-27th-aliw-awards/ |archive-date=May 6, 2021 | title=Full List of Winners of 27th Aliw Awards | website=lionheartv.net }} |
Discography
Videography
| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible autocollapse" |
| Title
! style="width: 450px"|Musicians ! Director ! Producer ! Genre ! Year ! Country |
|---|
| Jazz in Time: Commemorative Concert XII{{Cite web
|last=Torrevillas |first=Domini M. |title=Upsilon mystique |url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2003/11/25/229178/upsilon-mystique |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506092333/https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2003/11/25/229178/upsilon-mystique |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |website=Philstar.com}} | style="width: 450px"|Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax | Fritz Ynfante | jazz concert | 2003 | Philippines |
| Jazzhound official music video{{Citation
|title=Johnny Alegre AFFINITY: "Jazzhound" (Music Video) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTG-vGY8BSQ |archive-url= |archive-date= |language=en}} | style="width: 450px"|Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax | Fritz Ynfante (concert footage) | Mowelfund | music video | 2005 | Philippines |
| 3rd Manila Jazz Festival{{Cite web
|title=Jewelmer Hosts 3rd Manila Jazz Festival |url=https://www.jckonline.com/magazine-article/jewelmer-hosts-3rd-manila-jazz-festival/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506092535/https://www.jckonline.com/magazine-article/jewelmer-hosts-3rd-manila-jazz-festival/ |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |language=en-US}} | style="width: 450px"|Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Simon Tan, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax | Angela Poblador | [https://jewelmer.com/ Jewelmer International Corporation] | jazz concert | 2005 | Philippines |
| Pinoy Jazz: The Story of Jazz in the Philippines{{Cite web
|url=https://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/filmedia/play/377/Pinoy-Jazz--The-Story-of-Jazz-in-the-Philippines |archive-url= |archive-date= |title=Pinoy Jazz: The Story of Jazz in the Philippines |website=www.cultureunplugged.com}} | style="width: 450px"|Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax | Collis Davis | Richie Quirino,{{Cite web |last=Carol |date=September 8, 2015 |title=A Filipino Jazz Musician and Jazz Journalist |url=https://www.caroldussere.com/philippines/a-filipino-jazz-musician-and-jazz-journalist/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506093258/https://www.caroldussere.com/philippines/a-filipino-jazz-musician-and-jazz-journalist/ |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |website=Turning East |language=en}} Collis Davis | documentary | 2006 | Philippines |
| Fête de la Musique 2011{{Citation
|title=Affinity - Fete Dela Musique 2011 - Jazzhound |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVJdTkSRVxA |archive-url= |archive-date= |language=en}} | style="width: 450px"|Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, electric bass ♦ Mar Dizon, drums | Franz Lawrence Tan | Fête de la Musique{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2011 |title=Fete De La Musique 2011 |url=https://www.philippineconcerts.com/local/fete-de-la-musique-2011/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506093434/https://www.philippineconcerts.com/local/fete-de-la-musique-2011/ |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |website=Philippine Concerts |language=en-US}} | jazz concert | 2011 | Philippines |
| Tiendesitas Super Jazz Weekend{{Citation
|title=Johnny Alegre Affinity at Tiendesitas Super Jazz Weekend |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dyZWq2gOCI |archive-url= |archive-date= |language=en}} | style="width: 450px"|Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Yuna Reguerra, electric bass ♦ Wendell Garcia, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, keyboards | Dondi Santos | Tiendesitas | jazz concert | 2014 | Philippines |
| Beacon Call{{Citation
|title=Beacon Call, Johnny Alegre "Stories" sampler |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=885v6ZpGNVM |archive-url= |archive-date= |language=en}} | style="width: 450px"|Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Joey Quirino, piano ♦ Ria Villena-Osorio, orchestration ♦ Gerard Salonga, conductor | PH AFFINITY Productions | sampler | 2014 | Philippines |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{facebook|johnnyalegreaffinity}}
- {{YouTube|c=UCFqBq_ZfYBonTOs6qjYXzlA}}
- {{LastFM music |id= Johnny+Alegre+Affinity |name=Johnny Alegre AFFINITY }}
- [http://store.candidrecords.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=61_136 Candid Records Artist roster] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412084130/http://store.candidrecords.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=61_136 |date=April 12, 2021 }}
- [https://open.spotify.com/album/1Pu6EJiadcYArmOcWSey49 Johnny Alegre AFFINITY on Spotify]
- [https://www.discogs.com/Johnny-Alegre-Affinity/release/15085873 Johnny Alegre AFFINITY on Discogs]
- [https://www.asianrockrising.net/product/933 Johnny Alegre AFFINITY on Asian Rock Rising]
- [https://www.amazon.com/Affinity-Johnny-Alegre/dp/B001LZCVJ6 Johnny Alegre AFFINITY deluxe edition on Amazon]
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Category:Candid Records artists
Category:Filipino jazz ensembles