Whole lotta love and good music in ‘Pijazzfest’

There’s a whole lotta love and exhilarating music in store for everyone. The annual Philippine International Jazz Festival (Pijazzfest), whose 2012 edition is dedicated to one of its founders, Edgar “Koyang” Avenir, runs for three weeks this month. It boasts a lineup of over 100 artists representing all music genres including rock, blues, folk, funk, progressive, standards, classical and pop.

Following last year’s successful formula of mounting performances in small and large venues around Metro Manila (and one night in Bacolod), Pijazzfest 2012 kicks off February 11 at the Insular Life Auditorium in Alabang with “Honoring the Maestro,” a tribute to Filipino classical and jazz luminary Angel Peña. To perform his original compositions are the AMP Big Band conducted by Mel Villena, Gina Medina, Jonathan Coo, Kasilag Guitar Trio, Renato Lucas, Rommel Cruz and Sheryl Ann de Dios.

A special piano festival starring Bong Infante, David Starck, Emcy Corteza, Joey Quirino and Romy Posadas is set on February 16, 6 p.m. at the Ayala Museum, Makati. On February 17, the fest moves to Eastwood City in Libis with The Brass Munkeys, Dino Fiumara, Dave Eggar and Deoro, The Executive Band and Kevyn Lettau.

Blues night

Blues night is on February 19 at Bonifacio High Street in Global City, Taguig, with Bleu Rascals, Blue Rats, Bong Sotto, Cooky Chua, Color It Red, Gary Perez, Jazz Almonacid, Jun Lopito, Lolita Carbon, Luis Galang, Manila Blues Experience with Wally Gonzalez and Kat Agarrado, Nino Mendoza and the Blue Jean Junkies, Noli Aurillo, Pete Canzon and Joey “Pepe” Smith.

February 24 is ABS-CBN Jazz Night at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater, headlined by British group Acoustic

Alchemy plus an eclectic cast—Fil-Am multi-instrumentalist/composer Abe Lagrimas; multi-awarded cellist/pianist Dave Eggar with his group Deoro; two more Fil-Ams, vocalist Charmaine Clamor and keyboardist Tateng Katindig; and Israeli pianist/composer/conductor Yaro Gottfried.

An international gala night on February 26 at the Rockwell Tent in Makati features the AMP Big Band, Lagrimas, Arthur Manuntag, Carmen Pateña, Carmen Soriano, Clamor, The CompanY, Eggar, Jeannie Tiongco, Lettau, Noelle Cassandra, Pilita Corrales, Romy Posadas, Skarlet, Katindig, Tess Salientes-Bloom, Tria Bascon and Trio Oropesa.

More shows are scheduled at Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Greenbelt 3, Oxford Suites in Makati, Venice Piazza in Bonifacio Global City, Banco de Oro Auditorium on HV de la Costa St. cor. Makati Ave., Strumm’s on Jupiter St., Salon de Ning at Manila Peninsula Hotel, Martinis Bar at Mandarin Hotel, Merk’s Bar Bistro on Pasay Road, Roadhouse Manila Bay, The Tap Room of Manila Hotel, SM Southmall, SM North Edsa Skydome, Freedom Bar on Anonas St. and Conspiracy on Visayas St., Quezon City.

Log on to pijazzfest.com.