Rebirth of the Cool
A powerful resurgence of Jazz appreciation is taking place in the Philippines, with guitarists, pianists, saxophonists, and vocalists pushing boundaries they never knew existed. From the iconic legacy of the “Wildman” Bobby Enriquez to the Elvin Jones-inspired percussive style of Mar Dizon to the blue notes-in-their-blood bond of the Katindig Family, Collis Davis and J.J. Duque capture a lost generation of Jazz legends who have created complex music that for some is almost too good to comprehend, and for many too important to ignore
THE BLUES MAN - Koyang Avenir
Photographed by Steve Tirona at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati on April 2, 2009
Guitarist Edgardo Eugenio Avenir, an unsung master of the Philippine Jazz scene, is best known as a member of the Jazz for Kicks (JFK) band, but heretofore has been running in very good company with organizations such as the Genesis Band, The Bong Penera Band, The APO Hiking Society, and Jazz Fiesta; and as a member of the Philippine International Jazz Foundation and producer of the annual PIJazz Festivals. As an admirer of Chet Atkins, Lito Pada, Jimi Hendrix, and Andres Segovia, “Koyang,” as he is affectionately known, always made an impression with his profound understanding of the Blues. Avenir ruefully observes that Manila’s Jazz scene is “actually very much alive and an ideal music scene for performance, but its potential hasn’t been tapped fully. There is no direction despite all the activities going on—venues are in constant experimentation to find what will bring in the money, and performers leave their potentials undeveloped in exchange for that common comfort level. There are lesser artists now than ever before.” Intimating that the education of audiences is also the responsibility of Jazz artists, Koyang says, “I always believe that art, being a developed taste, is not confined to those who can create. All art requires its beholder. To teach people how to grasp what is being said musically is a bigger responsibility than developing one’s chops. Though I don’t see myself as a teacher, I believe this is an area I should go into.” His idea of happiness? “Knowing what I don’t know and giving away what I do know.”
By Collis Davis
You’re still the baddest cat in Manila Tots. Keep it up!