It is common nowadays for a couple to have the same interest in life. But for the common interest to be the same passion is a rare occurrence. Like the Philippine’s Premier Jazz Pianist Henry Katindig and the Premier Jazz Diva Jeannie Tiongco, (daughter of Emil Tiongco of the popular Tiongco Brothers trio in the 60’s). The couple has been together for 19 years. And so is their passion.
Henry grew up in Kamuning, Quezon City. His earliest memory of music was listening to a lot of jazz greats and going to his father’s gig. Henry studied classical music at age of 9 at Yamaha School Of Music. “It was basically innate and been in my dreams to be a musician at a young age”, explains Henry.
Although his skills are self-taught in conducting and arranging, his father’s advise has taught him a lot when it comes to performing, “Just be yourself, master your craft and most of all keep your feet on the ground and couple it with prayer before you perform and thank God for his guidance”, recalls Henry. His father, Eddie Katindig or more popularly known as Eddie K., succumbed to heart attack last December 2017. With a musical lineage that has spawned some of the country’s most revered jazz icons, some quarters may say that his destiny has been preordained. Henry have 5 more other siblings and two of his brothers are musicians. Tateng Katindig who is also a pianist, is now based in the US. Stix Katindig, a drummer who also works abroad plays in a cruise ship. But despite the individual successes of his siblings and kin – including uncle Romy Katindig and cousin Boy Katindig who are also piano virtuoso – Henry carved his own name through via extensive practice and at the same time, created his own musical style.
For the past decades, Henry Katindig’s keyboard genius has earned him his rightful place in local jazz history. Whether playing pop or simple jazz fusion, his inventive and great style has earned him to be anointed keeper of Philippine jazz torch. He has paid his dues as a respected leader, sideman and first-call session artist, and his world-class keyboard artistry has been immortalized in countless recordings and jazz festivals both here and abroad. Ever the industrious musician, it’s not hard to miss his performance in a any major or minor jazz event in and around the Metropolis. When Richard Merk, a fellow jazz artist needed help, Henry Katindig offer his talent pro-bono in raising the funds needed for Richard’s operation via Fundraising Benefit Show in 19East last 2018.
Despite his jazz inclination, Henry’s first few professional gigs found him dabbling in pop, blues and even rock. Henry started performing in 1978 in a show band named ‘Centerfold Band’. He also did session work for Pinoy Rock guitar icon Wally Gonzales and played with his dad as well. And very recently, he shared the stage with Mike Hanopol in 19East. “When I was young, I idolized Mike because of his musical style”, admits Henry.
Through the years, he counts himself lucky for having worked with some of the biggest names in the jazz fusion scene, having worked with Pauline Wilson of Seawind and Laura Fygi as their musical director. But his most memorable was gig? “Playing with my dad, and to some international jazz artists at Java Jazz 2007/2015 “Euro Pinoy Jazz Fest”. It was a magnificent night of musical nomenclature”, attested Henry.
Henry Katindig Contemporary Jazz Group started in Strumms in Makati, and is regularly performing at Conrad Hotel C Lounge in MOA Complex. His lone 2011 album “You And Me” has garner a resounding success and a second album is in the works anytime soon.
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