MEL VILLENA (second from left) and the AMP Big Band
Filipino music lovers complaining about the scarcity of “sophisticated” and “quality” material will soon have a chance to put their money where their taste is.
The 19-piece AMP Big Band is embarking on a crowd-funding campaign to bankroll its first album. Still untitled, the album will contain at least 10 songs—a mix of Filipino classics, new compositions and AMP’s covers of US big band staples.
Organized in 2009, AMP is led by veteran musical director Mel Villena, and is composed of some of the country’s most sought-after session musicians, all members of the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino.
Heading the band’s master musicians are Tots Tolentino, one of the country’s best-recognized saxophonists/clarinetists, trained at the UP College of Music and Berklee School of Music in Boston; and saxophonist/flutist Michael Guevarra, likewise a product of UP, where he now teaches.
The “stars” of the trumpet section are former Jazz Friends member Nestor Gonzaga and his son Richie Gonzaga, and veteran Romy Francisco, who has performed with such artists as Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett and Paul Anka.
The trombone section includes Ronnie Marqueses, a veteran of Lito Molina’s Jazz Friends; and big band leader and music professor Romy San Jose. In the rhythm section are drummer Jun Austria, keyboardist Joey Quirino, guitarist Noel Santiago and bassist Simon Tan.
Also playing with the band are Cocoy de Pano, George Abundo, Jek Senidoza, Warren Dionisio, Joey de Guzman, Panggo Sarreal, Gilbert Francisco and Jojo Luz.
Target: 2015
Villena told the Inquirer that the debut album would cost at least P1 million, depending on whether the album would be mixed or mastered here or abroad. The band plans to complete the album within the year.
The AMP Big Band performs monthly at the Balete@Kamias in Quezon City. Members take the opportunity to teach enthusiasts about big band music, with open rehearsals for those who wish to witness how complex big band music is and how it should be played.