The ties that bind Aiza Seguerra and Cooky Chua

AIZA Seguerra

Aiza Seguerra has been a fan of Cooky Chua since grade school. Cooky, in turn, admires Aiza’s development as a guitarist. But the ties that bind the two artists could be traced to Mike Villegas—the former guitarist of Cooky’s band, Color It Red, who became the leader of Aiza’s backup group, producer of her albums and musical director of her concerts.

Aiza and Cooky found themselves jamming and drinking at Conspiracy Bar in Quezon City, as well as performing together in small gigs.

Now they’re teaming up in a concert dubbed “Love Jazztified” on October 7 at the Music Museum. The Inquirer chatted with the two via e-mail:

Who were your earliest musical influences?

Aiza Seguerra (AS): I was a big fan of folk music while growing up—Bread, John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Peter, Paul and Mary. I also listened to Matt Monroe, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis dahil kay Mama and Daddy. At siyempre, Beatles.

Cooky Chua (CC): Mahilig talaga ako sa standards nung bata pa. Dahil siguro yun yung music ng parents. Mga Doris Day, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Billie Holiday…

What were the trials or challenges in your music career, and how did you deal with them?

AS: The four years na wala akong album. I really felt bad about it. So nag-concentrate ako sa live gigs. Parang mas nakita ko sarili ko after that. Playing with Mike Villegas and the boys helped me hone my skills.

CC: Yung natanggap ako sa “Miss Saigon” auditions. Tapos hindi ko ginawa. Tumawag sila for several productions after (the first one) sa iba’t ibang countries pero gumaganda na kasi ang career ng Color It Red nun. Mga challenges sa buhay ng Color It Red: everytime may umaalis na member and we had to start from scratch; nung may member kami na na -rehab sa gitna ng tour; nawalan kami ng manager at wala kaming matakbuhan. Pero pinagpatuloy pa rin namin ang samahan at ang music.

What new things have you discovered as a musical artist?

AS: Before kasi I was “singing” lang, not minding the story behind the song. Ngayon, I enjoy analyzing the lyrics, melody, arrangement, instruments used, etc. Mas nagiging ibang experience kapag ganon. Hindi lang tenga ang nag-e-enjoy. Pati puso, utak at kaluluwa.

CC: Malaking bagay yung marunong kang makinig sa ibang artists at sa instruments ng mga kabanda mo. Only then na nagiging isang unit kayo. Hindi separate ang vocalist sa banda. Iisa kayo. You complement each other.

Is this your first time to work together in a show? What are your expectations?

AS: For a major show, yes. But we’ve done small gigs together. I just hope na we’ll treat this show the way we did the previous ones—masaya, puno ng energy at passion.

CC: Nakaka-jam ko naman si Aiza lagi dahil kay Mike Villegas. Pero hindi talaga sa solo show.

Aiza, what qualities stand out when you think of Cooky Chua?

I’ve always been a big fan of Cooky. Grade school pa lang ako, laging dapat naka-play yung “Hand Painted Sky” album ng Color It Red. Her voice is amazing. Rakista pero ramdam mo yung soul. Hindi puro ingay. Now that she’s doing jazz and blues, grabe. Ang sarap pakinggan … yung paos na boses niya. Sobrang sensual nang dating, besides the fact that she’s also beautiful.

Cooky, What would you like Aiza to try doing as a singer, songwriter and musician?

Dati ko pa naisip na sa lahat ng pinagdaanan niya, napakaganda siguro ng mga masusulat niyang kanta. So, very happy ako nang malaman na sumusulat na rin siya. Gusto ko ding makita siya magsuot ng dress, hahaha. I’m also a fan of her skills as a guitarist. Nakita ko kung gaano kalaki ang ginaling niya sa guitar. Astig na astig na tumugtog! Pocholo Concepcion