Jazzmopolitan: A showcase of talent and creativity

"Groove is that quality that moves the song forward, the musical equivalent to a book that you can’t put down. When a song has a good groove, it invites us into a sonic world that we don’t want to leave.  Although we are aware of the pulse of the song, external time seems to stand still, and we don’t want the song to ever end." -- Daniel Levitin

It was more than a song, it was the entire Jazzmopolitan concert’s array of performers -- Raffy Lopez, Ner De Leon, Mon David and Michael Paulo -- who all transfixed the audience.  We melted in awe! A band usually stays in the background, forgotten in the recesses of the grotto, but Tateng Katindig’s band foregrounded the performers. That was self-assurance!

Just imagine Tateng Katindig on the piano, simultaneously playing a keyboard and adjusting his synthesizer.  He had no limits to his multidimensional talents, yet he retains his humility as any master artist would.

Next, consider Abe Lagrimas, Jr. who on the drums can beat them, as if a one-man band, accelerating his performance to a summit of fully engaged interaction with Michael Paulo, to the point of firing up the crowd to jump up, clap, dance, and shout bravos.  The performers had the audience captivated, ready to play for them. They were on fire! 

At first, Abe had a full suit on and was relaxed. Then, he took off his jacket.  Mid-concert, he took off his tie, and just before Michael Paulo turned to him with his saxophone, Abe had rolled up his shirt sleeves.  Dimples showing, his whole body matched his relentless drumming.  We were surprised that he still had a full set of limbs after. 

As if playing the saxophone was not enough, Michael showed the Ford audience the range of motions and emotions that he could evoke from them. Michael got on his knees while the audience was transfixed, watching him. The band stopped, as he became one with his saxophone and played The Last Tango in Paris, a tribute to his 83-year-old father, Rene. Michael sent his tunes some thousand miles away, across the ocean. 

Michael Paulo, photo taken by Charmie Morales-Salihan

I still remember the duet between Michael and Rene, when the latter got the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) in Hawaii.  Father and son played an original composition of Michael's -- My Heart and Soul, and at the end of the song, all 70 people in attendance had tears in their eyes. As Daniel Levitin says " the timbre and overall sound "was preserved with high fidelity in our long-term memory system."

That night, after hearing the song again, I could not help but cry. 

As if getting on his knees was not enough, he climbed the grotto to play his sax and to dance. He was more than gifted -- he was one with his musical instrument and his grooves. ‘His beat dimensions created a strong momentum’, using Daniel Levitin's words.

During a post-concert brunch with friends, one exclaimed that the whole evening was "nakakaano,” evidently at a loss for words. But we had fun translating the ambiguity -- nakakaloka, nakakabaliw, nakakalunod sa tuwa. One woman boldly described the whole experience as “better than foreplay."

Mon David humbly gave his tribute to Michael, saying, "Sinunog niya ang Ford!" In other words, he torched the audience’s hearts, literally!

Jeff Bello, a jazz aficionado, flew in from San Francisco with his muse, Tricia Maristela.  He had this to say: "I was blown away to see the passion of every artist on stage.  The love for their craft showed as it reflected from the cheers and the standing ovations from the crowd.  Even though it was a chilly night under the stars in the Ford Amphitheater, I forgot about it because I was so focused on the music and the vibe."

"Mon David's rendition of Balut Penoy and the Kapampangan song, O Rosing, were spectacular because it not only showed [his recognition] of his roots but it [also demonstrated] his creativity -- [proving] that there should be no limitation to art.  Michael Paulo was also amazing.  To [know] his credentials and [to] find out [that he worked alongside] famous artists were awesome.  He got the crowd going with his saxophone and his dancing.  I have never seen a saxophone player do both at the same time.  It was mind- blowing."

"The performance not only showcased each featured artist, but also acknowledged each band member by highlighting their talents with solo performances not just once, but all throughout the show.  The collaboration between the player and the featured artist brought the performance to a different level.  It's about time to bring them up front and center -- not just in the background.  My gratitude to whoever choreographed the event."

The ascent to excellence was Jazzmopolitan’s mark!  Raffy Lopez was quiet and unassuming while performing Brazilian tunes on the guitar. He credits Serge Osmena III for exposing him to Brazil's music at the age of 15.  

Ner de Leon was brave to tackle Dave Brubeck’s Blue Rondo and his saxophone performance was superb. Mon David was self-assured with his world-class serenade(in Kapampangan). His words were sobering as he gave tribute to the 9/11 victims and their surviving families. 

Jazzmopolitan replaced the infamy of 9/11 with feelings of bliss and unity. This was a night of community building manifested through collaboration, teamwork and excellence! As Daniel Levitin said, "Groove had to do with a particular performer or particular performance, not with what is written on paper.  Groove can be a subtle aspect of performance that comes and goes from one day to another, even with the same group of musicians. Groove is the beat dimensions that create a strong momentum."

Created by Ted Benito and Rex Sampaga, Jazzmopolitan left us with the grooviest of grooves, imprinted with the highest fidelity, in our memory banks.  

During Kultura's performance at the Ford some months ago, I whispered, "Ted, you have to exceed Kultura's excellence!" He simply looked at me with quiet confidence. 

Now, witnessing Jazzmopolitan and its new legacy of impeccable artistry, I know excellence has been set.