It's not that hard to talk to a music legend like Jesse Bartolome, you just have to keep up with him with all the stories and be candid with it. (The author had the pleasure of speaking with Jesse Bartolome.)
Jesse Bartolome, the only surviving Banyuhay Ni Heber member speaks up on his influences, hardships and his musical journey. His father Deogracias Bartolome was a pastor and violin and guitar maker, and a rondalla band leader while her mother, Angelina Gonzalez was a singer in the zarzuela. Jesse was born in Bulacan. "Actually, iba't ibang lugar kami pinanganak. Si kuya Heber sa Cabanatuan, ako sa Bulacan, si kuya Levi sa ibang lugar din."
The brood of six are all musically inclined due to their father's influence. Jesse plays the mandolin, the violin and the bass guitar. "I play a lot of instruments. My father would ask me to break-in his newly made violins everytime." From sampling those instruments, Jesse got his start at music early on. He was about 6 years old when he discovered his knack for music. His father would give him tips on how to capture the best sound out of an instrument and learn from it.
Jesse was not formally educated in music. "Si kuya Heber yan aral yan sa UP. Nagturo pa nga sya sa La Salle as a proffesor in Philippine Literature "I make music by feel and instinct", he musters. He remember his first 'budgeted gig' for ₱40.00 appearing in a noontime show in the 70s as a guitarist. Suprisingly, it was not Banyuhay Ni Heber. "I do a lot of side projects during those time. Not all the time, gigs are readily available for me. That's why i have to look for other means to earn from different bands", laments Jesse.
In Banyuhay ni Heber he plays the violin and bass. In the song "Giyera" he plays solo violin on it."Bob Magoo regular plays this song which he recorded via cassette tape", advises Jesse. The song was never recorded in an album or a single. "Magaling si kuya Heber as a lyricist. Kahit yun name ng band na Banyuhay sya ng naka isip nun. Banyuhay is a coined word for Bagong Anyo Ng Buhay. Parang uod na naging butterfly. Dun nya nakuha yun concept ng name ng band", explains Jesse. Banyuhay's music is a "stylistic tradition" of Philippine folk and religious melodies. The band was branded as a "protest band" that carried the trademark sound of the kubing, a native musical instrument in the Philippines. Banyuhay's songs were described as a "unique synthesis of rock and blues, and Philippine ethnic rhythms". Jesse have contributed a number of songs in their catalogue as a composer.
Are your kids following your musical path? "Ayaw ni misis eh. Wala kse pera sa music sa Pinas. Unless mayaman ka na antimano bago ka magka carreer sa music. Pero yun mga anak ni kuya Levi, tinuturuan ko ng music. And they are interested in it", muses Jesse. Jesse's musical influences are The Beatles, Frank Zappa and Sting. He thinks Paul McCartney is the greatest bassist ever. I could not agree more. "If hindi mo kilala ang Beatles at si Frank Zappa hindi ka musikero", declares Jesse.
At 72, Jesse is still active in the music scene. He helps Paul Galang-another respected folk legend- in his fund rasing ditties every now and then. "I helped a lot of artists to start up their carreer. I remember Buklod, where the anthemic song Tatsulok came from, I helped arranged that album for Noel Cabangon. I also helped Jun Lopito as a folk singer", continues Jesse
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