Edeliza Uraning

Edeliza Uraning

LIZA COMES HOME

When passion and heart finds its way in music, it will only be a matter of time before the right material will catapult one’s drive, wherever and whenever.  Such enamor to music manifests in the persona of Edeliza Uraning. Born in Isabela City, Basilan she lived all her life in the province during her primary, secondary and tertiary education. It was there that she learned to play the guitar. “My father is a music lover. I grew up listening to him singing the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, The Beatles, The Carpenters, Abba, and the like - he was the one who opened my eyes into music”, declared Liza. Personally, Liza would be influenced by Francis M, Andrew E, Menudo, Madonna, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissete, Deep Purple, ACDC and many more. Although Liza has no formal education in music, as a teenager, she was already writing lyrics and music. She remember composing a number of songs but wasn't able to record it. In 2004, she got commissioned to sing in a rock & blues band called ‘Xalbaje’ in The Roadhouse in Macau. It  was in abroad where she honed her singing and writing skills. An album – ‘Breaking Silence’ - was recorded by the group. Three of the eight songs in the album was written by Liza; ‘Muling  Masisilayan’, ‘Don't Hold Back’ and ‘Nag Abang’. They were the only Filipino independent artist who were able to release an album in Dubai. After a hiatus with Xalbahe, she recorded her solo debut album entitled “A Journey Of Life, Love & Music” last 2018. The 12-track bi-lingual album was recorded and produced entirely in Macau by an Italian friend Fabrizio Croce. It was the locals there, that was privileged to hear  Liza Uraning’s first solo outing. “Kulayan”, the 5th track off her album, a personal favorite, talks about love, life and the colors lacking in a relationship that need be there in the first place. The swooning ballad is highlighted by a sexy saxophone right smack in the middle of the tune. She excels in hitting those high notes. Another favorite is “Ang Babaeng Pilipina”, an eloquent tune reminding everyone of the Pinay’s loyalty trait to the one she loves. This one is dominated by a plucked classical guitar teemed with a piano forte to boot across the song.

How does she find the inspiration to write these songs? “It depends on my enthusiasm during that moment that I created a song. Some I started it with lyrics first then the Melody. Other times I do it all together lyrics and then Melody. But when I'm really inspired, I can quickly compose. There were times when I wake up Dawn and just note down the words that my thoughts is giving me because if I will not note it immediately I forget it and loose the beauty of my imagination”, reveals Liza. Her compositions was partly inspired by her personal experiences. She also gets ideas from what she have seen and observed with other women’s struggles in a relationship. “But most of the songs that I wrote was personal and some are just my imaginary wishes”, relates Liza with  a sheepish smile.

So far, so good for this 44-year old widow, who was once touted to have the same singing style to that of Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. Her losing bid in Tawag Ng Tanghalan in Showtime last 2017, was  the catalyst that made her pursue her singing career. “Hindi ko mabigyan ng pansin na mapush marelease ang solo album ko had I won in that contest”, advises Liza. Is her album available locally? “Unfortunately, commercially it is not yet available here in the Philippines, but is now available in Spotify”.

 

Pete Canzon

PETE CANZON – PREMIER JAZZ SAX KING
Being an avid music fan, need not be complicated in terms of listening and playing them. When you are a music disciple, there is no genre better over the other.
Meet Pete Canzon an exemplary Saxophonist for more than 5 decades. “I was born and raised in Cubao, Quezon City. Studied in Quezon City High School where Joey Smith was a classmate”, says Pete. His mother, a pianist, influenced him in his younger days. He would grew up with the music of the Beatles, Dave Clark 5, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Bob Dylan and jazz icons like Parker & Hawkins.
A self taught saxophonist, Pete had groups in the early 70's like Xenelasia Jazz Band, Genesis Jazz Group whose members Edgar Avenir, Jun Viray, Jaime Fabregas, Carlitos Calaguian & Bong Sotto. “Our group went to Malaysia and Singapore. In Singapore, I joined the Union Brown Band and went to Osaka Japan for 3 years, then went to New York & perform at Lush Life in Bleaker St., Greenwich Village, uptown then off to Washington D.C.”, remembers Pete.
Pete also performed and jammed with early Pinoy Rock bands in the 70’s. “I frequent Olongapo City that time with Anakbayan with Edmon Fortuno, Sampaguita, Gary Perez, Resty Fabunan, Heber Bartolome, Wally Gonzales, Lolita Carbon and many more”, reminisces Pete. He played with Freddie Aguilar for 20 years.
A veteran of many concerts and gigs, Pete’s most memorable was his performance with  Stan Getz in Blues Alley in Georgetown U.S.A. Locally, he has shown his wares with local legends in Jazz with the late Jacqui Magno and Rico Puno. He also enjoyed jamming Lito Molina, Richard Merk, Raymond Lauchenco, Mitch Valdez, Ronnie Lazaro, Bong Sotto and others.
It was an ultimate irony, that, what he wanted to do most almost did him in. Last year, Pete had a close call with a freak accident while performing live on air via radio performance. “During broadcast, the studio caught fire and I was trapped inside the booth! I was in the ICU for 5 days due to serious smoke inhalation”, reveals Pete.
Notwithstanding his brush with the angel of death, Pete continued with his passion and in month’s time, he is up and about and went on with his usual stance in music. Currently, his band The Pete Canzon Group consists of the best sessionist in the music scene nowadays with Norman Ferrer on keyboards, Robert James Torres on guitar, Dennis Glenn Fabunan on bass & Powee Canzon on drums. “My original drummer is Nelson Gonzales who is now busy renovating Tago Jazz Cafe. At the moment the group performs Tuesdays at Good Guys Steak & Jazz & Saturdays at Fernandina 88 Suites Hotel at 1572 Bar Restaurant”, shares Pete.
Pete have recorded and uploaded many original music to date and it is still accessible at Jamendo and Youtube.  Although he intends to do an album for his legacy this year & next, this time for radio broadcast. When not blowing in his saxophone, he busies himself painting, sketching and sculpturing.
He wants to impart his talent to budding musicians and leave his legacy as such. His tip to aspiring musicians? “Listen to your heart and make your own style and approach in any genre you are in”, imparts Pete.

Ado Bantula

ADO BANTULA – The Voice Of Kulukati
“Twang! Kaching! Darumdumdum!”
Those were the sounds ‘Ado’ hears on stage whenever he interprets a song. But offstage, as a listener, you would hear his voice float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. As if seeing the colors of music.
Meet Fernando Bantula, vocalist of the band “Kulukati”. When I first saw and heard Ado perform a few years back in Cavite City via fundraising gig, I thought I have seen it all. Ado gave me an experience like no other. His raspy and high pitched voice captured my imagination as a listener and left me in awe.
He was with another band that time. “Up to now, I still am with that band, and so is with Kulukati”, explains Ado. It’s a sort of a nondescript nonstandard standard nowadays to maintain at the very least a couple of band. But he have four!
“I also have  other  bands that I sing for. D' Jango Project Band,  Diablong Buang Brothers and Holypass. Mas maraming banda means marami kang kaibigan at maraming raket. Overexposure?  That doesn't bother me.  Kanya-kanya naman silang trip, di naman nagkakabanggaan sa pondo ng kanta”,declares the self-taught vocalist.
Born and raised in San Andres Bukid, Malate in Manila, he honed his vocal prowess during drinking sessions and would receive accolade from his peers. A graduate of the University of the East, as a Business Administration in Accounting Major, he saw himself employed for a time but seemed not fit into the corporate world. “I am just a simple singer who also dabbles in a guitar when no one is around.  Actually, I got my musical influence from my Dad and Mom”, reveals Ado.
Coined by their drummer, Kulukati was a remnant of Ado’s erstwhile band ‘Claybone’ last 2002. With Erick Reyes on Bass, Lloyd Gonzal on Drums, Kit Mendoza on Guitars and Ado on vocals, the group just racked up 10 original compositions where he is usually the main lyricist. “With the music, nag start mostly sa guitar riff, minsan bass line, minsan drum beats. From there, babble ako ng lyrics kahit anong lumbas sa bibig ko. Then we polish it after we lay down the tracks to make it coherent”, adds Ado.
They plan to have their song "Mahalin Mo Ako" as their carrier single. Gerry Diwa of Sound Weavers in Makati produced and recorded their songs.  “Konting mix na lang at gigs and we'll let everything loose”, exclaims Ado.  Last 2006, Kulukati was part of a blues compilation album, BLUESKRIEG. It was the brainchild of both Mr. Diwa and Joric Maglanque.  “We contributed three songs: Taga mo sa Bato, Sa Gabi sa Umaga at Selda Katorse. Kasama namin sa album ang Plug, Firebottle, Dahon at Snakecharmer – all blues band that matter”, prides Ado. Also last 2010, they were included on a compilation CD of songs featuring the 12 string bass called OVERKILL IS JUST ENOUGH. The album - and their song, "Kalungkutan" - is still available on Spotify.
At 54 years old, music and singing keeps him on his toes and is as important as his life itself. Ado is very grateful to his affiliation to other bands that molded his being as a musician. “Siyempre makakapakumpleto sa akin bilang musikero ay ang mga originals namin ng Kulukati na, sa wakas, mailalabas na. Sana tangkilikin ng marami. The band is on Facebook: Kulukati.  Like the page and say hi. Rock and Roll and Peace”, finishes Ado.

Adeleo Carpio Fajardo

Adeleo Carpio Jafardo - Guitar Hero

“Abomination!” This was the apoplectic reaction of conductor and classical guitar maestro Andres Segovia upon hearing the very thought of the conception of the electric guitar. No one can blame him, the electric guitar - as an instrument - has always stirred up emotions. Many would later on recognize and associate the names of - among others- Paul Reed Smith, Ned Steinberger, Adolph Rickenbacker, Leo Fender, Epaminodas Stathopoulo (Epiphone) and Lester Polfus (a.k.a. Les Paul) to guitars.

Locally, one name that proved to be associated with very good guitar-playing is Adeleo Carpio Fajardo. Adel, as he is fondly called, is the recipient of the Presidential Award as Master on Electric Guitar awarded by BPA National Arts Council last 2015. “I never really gave it a lot of thought, maybe I was just at the right place and at the right time”, declares Adel.
Growing up in Sampaloc Manila, and going to school in the Dominican School run by priest and nuns must have instilled discipline in his system. “In high school and college in U.E. I used to be the Head Instructor of the University Band”, recalls Deo. His influence in music is Frank Zapppa, Chick Correa, Van Halen, Metallica, Mr.Big, Extreme and Pantera, among others. An Asian Institute of Management graduate of Real Estate Studies, he sees a person with potential in skills and is a willing mentor to whoever who is willing to be taught musically.

He is the descendants of  Maestro Mauro Carpio, or Tata Muring of the 60’s. A very well known music mentor, teacher and trainer of many legendary artist like Elizabeth Ramsey, Man’s Temptations, among others.
His skill in playing the electric guitar has landed him gigs alongside Mike Hanopol, Pepe Smith, Jhong Azinas, Lolita Carbon, Wolfgang, Razorback, Bagiw, Rolly Averilla of Maria Cafra among others. A licensed Real Estate broker, Deo has relegated his talents with the younger generation. “I mentor such champions like Armand Aquino from ‘Death By Stereo’ band - champion in San Miguel Beer Guitar competitions, and best guitarist in many battle of the band. And Kid Rock Gospel Band named ‘Chosen One Band’, a grand finalist in Pilipinas Got Talent in 2015”, says Deo. “They did not win the grand prize, but the sense of accomplishment in mentoring these kids is enough award for me”, declared Adel.

Among his guitar collection-which total to nearly 30 plus is among the sought after locally and internnationally due to its variety and rarity; a rare Gretsch acoustic from year 1930. A Gibson 50's Les Paul, a 60's Deluxe Les Paul and a 70’s Al Dimeola Les Paul. A Fender Stratocaster Ritchie Sambora Signature Series, a Eric Johnson Series, a Michael Jackson’s lead guitar Greg Howe  Super Start Silver Series, Ibañez Prestige Sunburst, a RG570 Reverse Heads Stock Midnight Blue, a couple of high end S Series, a Pearl White J Custom. Jackson Megadeth's Marty Friedman Killer V-Shape and a Custom Red Stained Reverse Headstock Blue Led . A Gibson Flying V, Scorpions Michael Shchrenker Signature Series. ESP Metallica's Kirk Hammet Black Signature series. A Yamaha Earl Klugh Signature Nylon, and Frank Gambale Black Jazz Guitar w/ two F holes. A Kramer EVH Pink burst and Silver burst. His Amplifier collection includes; Fender, Peavey and Vox. In multi FX is Boss BCB60 setup, digitech whammy, Sans Amp Tech21. BB king 180 watts RMS tube amp. “I acquired them from  friends, producers, managers and fellow musicians and auctioneers. And these is just part of what I own, I still have plenty that I seldom use”, says Adel.

Now on a semi-retired status, Adel- with his two kids, and will be three by September of this year- is busy with his business and is successfully running a resto called KUYA’S RESTO in his local turf in Valenzuela. An International Property Specialist of the National Association of Realtors of the Philippines and a licensed Real Estate broker. Asked, whether he is giving up his musical skills, Deo retorts “Of course not, just taking time to make a big splash back in Pinoy Rock scene”!

Kowboy Santos

Kowboy Santos - The Southpaw Axe Slinger

Not too many people know that most of the great guitar player of our time are left-handed. Iggy Pop, Paul McCartney, Duanne Allman, Mike Knopfler, Noel Galagher, Joan Jett, Paul Simon, Gary Moore, Jimi Hendrix, to name a few. Locally, one left-handed guitarist who has been making waves for quite sometime now is Kowboy Santos.

The offspring of Nilo Santos and Tessy Alfonso (better known for her stage name as Sampaguita), Kowboy is a self-taught guitar guru (“Yes I am mostly self taught, but have had intense lessons for a year under the student of Joe Satriani, Doug Doppler in San Francisco for a year”-Kowboy) whose influence includes, Wally Gonzalez and Gary Perez locally. “Sa foreign is Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Marc Ford of the Black Crowes and Santana”, he adds. “I am more of  a blues player, my skills are kind of rudimentary so i mostly stick to basic structures and concentrate on the groove more”, admits Kowboy.

Born in the Philippines, he moved to the US when he was just 9 years old. His parents separated when he was 6. He lived with his father in the US; first to Hawaii, then to Southern California, then lived in San Francisco for a year. It was at this juncture, that Kowboy started to get curious with guitars. “My dad have guitars lying around the house. And I remember my mom would have photo shoots in and around our yard when I was much younger”, added Kowboy.

What further fanned his curiosity in music was his weekend visits to Sampaguita and going to her gigs in Olongapo. “Bands would hang out with my mom and I would get to meet them first hand.” he quips. He started performing music when he was around 16 years old in 1993. “I played with a lot of bands, I first started performing with my mom’s band as myself, to keep them together and gigging, this was in Hobbit House. Then I joined the Blue Rats and played with that blues band for 8 years. After that I was with  Tempestuous Jones”, admits Kowboy.

Another former band ‘Generation’, which comprises of Keyboardist Mike Chan and bassist Joe Chan, sons of singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan; rhythm guitarist Ige Gallardo’s parents are singer-actress Celeste Legaspi and composer Nonoy Gallardo. Members of the four-man rock band ‘Generation’ insist that it is a mere coincidence that they are children of local music legends. “Natyempo lang”, quips Kowboy. He also have  a self titled album on Star Records. Incidentally, Kowboy with Rocky Perez and Maegan Aguilar used to be in a band too, called "LuzViMinda". A super-band with super-talents as well. Maegan is the daughter of Freddie Aguilar and Rocky is the son of ’Sampaguita’ and ‘Anak Bayan’ alumnus, Gary Perez. And was this band with Maegan and Rocky intentional to bring in scions of local Philippine music legends? "Na tyempo Lang din", teases Kowboy.

2015 was a kind year for Kowboy having won the coveted “Philippine Guitar God Award”. Truth be told, Kowboy honed his chops and sharpened his licks in multiple bands, stages, gigs all over the Philippines in almost three decades.

A former print ad model, he muses as to why was he named as such. “When your parents are both in rock star status during their heyday, they can pretty much do anything they want, in a whim”, declared Kowboy.

With his main band now called “Pigdog”, touted by many as  a superband, because of it’s member that includes Tirso Ripoll, Johnny Besa, Miguel Ortigas and Beatrice Gomez . “ And in between those bands I jammed with different club bands that I like”, adds Kowboy. He furthered that his taste in music is more on classic rock, “I listen to a lot of 60’s to 90’s material and I listen to a lot of reggae as well, and I can appreciate hiphop when it has conscious and defiant lyrics”.

His daily grind? “Practice with my guitar,  do something healthy, check on our projects, and take care of my dogs”, finishes Kowboy.

Trivia: Kowboy shares the same birthday with his mom Sampaguita, July 17. Asked, what year was he born, "Every year man!", chuckles Kowboy.

PigDog

PIGDOG – PINOY SUPER BAND
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a pigdog is a type of dog bred to hunt wild pigs and boars, typically based on breeds such as Staffordshire Terrier and English Bull Terrier. Also pigdog is a stance used for surfing tubes on one's backhand. A third  and compelling meaning of Pigdog may be a Superband.
 Kowboy Santos was recently  asked how did the group came about. “Conceived from the fires of Mordor! Haha..just joking…. we are all friends and we were also in different bands together before, it was just the right time”, declares Kowboy on the band’s conception.
DogPig consists of Beatrice Gomez on vocals, Kowboy Santos on guitars, Miguel Ortigas on drums, Johnny Besa on bass and Tirso Ripoll on guitars.
The founding member of Razorback and one of only three remaining original members of the band, Tirso’s powerful and stoic guitar-playing earned him a pedestal in the Philippine rock scene. Since the departure of Kevin Roy in 2018 and the untimely demise of Brian Velasco last January 2019, and their last album last 2015, Razorback sort of riding the breeze of their labor and of late, the band has been collaborating with artists like Dong Abay, Raimund Marasigan, Nicole Asencio, Basti Artadi. With a solid 9-album discography tucked under his name, Tirso has nothing more to prove to the music scene.
Miguel Ortigas, the original drummer of Razorback, decided to leave the band last 1996, prompting the band to take on Brian Velasco. Ortigas first handled guitars then later moved on to drums. Ortigas also studied in Yamaha School of Music, under Benjie Zialcita, who also taught Tirso Ripoll, Louie Talan and David Aguirre. He also put up a band called Thunder Love and Sydney Side sometime ago. Many would attest to the powerful and flamboyance of Miguel behind the skin which makes him a sought after talent. A semi-permanent resident of Sydney, Australia, Miguel visits the Philippines now and then.
Johnny Besa is one of the founding members of The Breed. Together with Charlie Ysmael, their hypnotic Rock Groove BLACK MERCEDES BENZ is a standard staple of the 90’s. The band unofficially disbanded after a number of hits in music scene. Although they had a pseudo reunion last year via one-song and a three-original member ensemble during a thanksgiving gig for Wally Gonzalez, Johnny is open for the reunion of the surviving members of The Breed. Manny Amador, The Breed’s lead guitarist died last 2011. Johnny contributed songs to their only album FREE last 1995.
The offspring of  Nilo Santos and Tessy Alfonso (Yes, it’s Sampaguita), Kowboy is a self-taught left-handed guitar guru. A veteran of many bands including ‘Generations’ where he teamed up with Jose Mari Chan’s 2 sons and Celeste Legaspi’s son as well. Prior to this, he also banded with the Maegan Aguilar and Rocky Perez (son of Gary Perez) as LUZVIMINDA. His mastery in the guitar earned him the moniker The Southpaw Axe Slinger. His affiliation to countless project bands further exposed him to different genres in the music scene nowadays.
Beatrice Gomez is a former vocalist of the Australian-based Rock band Thunder Love. A snipet of their performance in Sydney shows her voice’s versatility in Rock, Reggae, Latin and Blues.
Still in their weaning years, Pigdog’s lineup may well be the perfect coalition for a band in the Philippines as of now. On the strength of their erstwhile bands, any music enthusiast can be sure of the solidity of its sound and future contributions to the Philippine music scene. One thing good in watching a supergroup is that, you get to hear a little bit of everything from their parent band plus the spectrum of talent kind of rolled into, thus, you are watching five sets of band in just one act. Isn’t that a bargain? All hail PigDog!

Kwadro

KWADRO – Band Mysticism Personified

Very few bands locally convey their witticism and angst thru their songs. Kwadro is one such band that will hype up one’s adrenaline and would want seconds.
Formed in 2004 with, then, 4 members, thus KWADRO, four sides. “We all have our own bands before and we were all rivals during battle of the band within the country. Doon na kami naging magtrotropa dahil kami lagi magkakalaban kahit saang battle of the bands”, declared Dante Lazalita (vocals). Dante and Jon Navarette (guitars) used to be members of Alagad ni Kalantiao and Bulkan. Francis Pitas, (guitars) was with the band Iking Bulataw, Capra Hircus, Clearhaze, Drivetrain and Blues and Rock Force. While Niño Mallari (drums) was with Titanium Priam, Iking Bulataw, Capra Hircus, All Most Late, Brown Dawgs and Shoelace. AJ Recto (bass) was with Kanyon ni Mang Simyon, Vertuso and still active with Sarsaparilla. He also do session gig for Mike Hanopol. Collectively, these guys were on 10 different bands and more than a handful of band competition.
Dante is Brian Garcia's tattoo artist, who happens to be Pepe Smith's manager before. Impressed with their musical dexterity and passion for Pinoy rock, Brian offered to manage the band and eventually was asked to play for Pepe as his touring band.
They play Classic Rock, Funk, Rock n' Roll and Blues. Their influences includes Juan Dela Cruz, Maria Cafra, Asin, Sampaquita, and others. Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Jaco, James Brown, Elvis Presley and the Beatles completes their foreign influences.
Dante calls it unorthodox when they write songs. They would come up with the melody first, depending who is in the mood or who was inspired or both. “A guitar riff would wail a while and when we hear a beautiful melody, we would help do the intro and extro of the song, lay in the drum tracks and play it in a while, then we all help throw in the lyrics we thought is cool  and represents us”, says Dante, who is also a renown tattoo artists here and abroad.
One of their original compositions "Problema  Ng Mundo" is what they consider their best composition yet. It tackles how resilient Pinoys are in times of dire needs. The song encourages every Pinoy to fight for any struggles, trials and battles in life. “Laban lang ng laban”, so goes the song. Aya De Guzman, Lukaret Clothing proprietress and the band’s handler considers them as peers rather than her underlings. “These guys are the best when in comes to displaying their wares in music. At times they are on the off side of their wits, but they really play good” , reveals Aya.
Still working on their initial album, which they target to release by 2020, their 6-song lineup are all jump starters in rock  and blues. They cherish their time with Pepe Smith in their gig with him. “Memorable sa amin lahat ng gig, Oktoberfest, Red Horse Musiklaban, Playboy….”, counts Niño. They were also privileged to perform at the “Ugat Concert sa Araneta”. The chance to share the stage with Pinoy greats like Sampaguita, Lolita Carbon of Asin, Heber, Gary Perez, Jun Lopito and many more is a dream come true for these guys. “We also jammed with Bamboo, Eli Buendia, Karl Roy and went on the same stage with Slapshock, Greyhoundz, Razorback, Hijo, Kamikazee and Parokya Ni Edgar”, declared AJ.
“After our day jobs, pag may free time, madalas kmi magkaayan mag two bottles, una't huli lang ang binibilang. Dun kami nakakapag meeting about sa mga plans namin sa banda, brainstorming and sharing our new ideas for our music”, finishes Jon.