That’s what friends are for

Friends and fans showed their support for ailing musician Edgar “Koyang” Avenir by packing a gig for his benefit last week at Skarlet Jazz Kitchen on Scout Ybardolaza St., Quezon City.

Guitarist Noli Aurillo led the performers’ lineup that also included Rannie Raymundo, Cooky Chua, Lynn Shermann, Noel Cabangon, Simon Tan, Rey Vinoya, Mel Santos and Anya Santos-Uy. They played jazzed-up versions of Beatles tunes.

Club owner Skarlet was overwhelmed by the audience turnout. The Inquirer spotted its most popular opinion columnist, Conrad de Quiros, seated beside former Color It Red manager Jing Garcia at a table with singers Eileen Sison and Bayang Barrios, and Gary Granada’s manager Yna Miranda-Dalisay. Also in the crowd were internationally acclaimed theater actor-singer Robert Seña, Pinoy rock star Gary Perez, violinist John Lesaca and talent manager Nelia Lim, among others.

The gig lasted till the wee hours, highlighted by Chua calling on Perez to jam with her on the latter’s classic songs with Sampaguita.—Pocholo Concepcion