Johnny Alegre | |
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Born | Juan Bautista Alegre y Hernaez June 4, 1955 Pasay City, Philippines |
Nationality | Filipino |
Alma mater | University of the Philippines |
Spouse | Jocelyn Albao Alegre |
Parents |
|
Relatives | Juan Bautista Alegre y Levantino (grandfather) Amanda "Aimee" Sargent (grandmother) |
Musical career | |
Genres | Jazz, World Fusion |
Occupation(s) | Musician, Guitarist-Composer |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, Keyboards |
Years active | 1981–present |
Labels | Candid, MCA |
Website | www |
Juan Bautista H. Alegre III (born June 4, 1955), [1] known professionally as Johnny Alegre, is a jazz guitarist and composer from Manila, Philippines. He leads the jazz group Johnny Alegre Affinity [2] and the world music group Humanfolk. [3]
Alegre studied composition at the University of the Philippines College of Music in the latter 1970s. He was a founding member of the U.P. Jazz Ensemble. [4] He participated in workshops by composer Erhard Karkoschka, guitarist Ike Isaacs, and composer Chou Wen-chung.
In May 2002, Alegre formed the Johnny Alegre Affinity with bassist Colby de la Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison, and saxophonist Tots Tolentino. Their first recorded work, "Stones of Intramuros", written by Alegre, was included in the limited edition Philippine jazz anthology Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist (Vol. 1) . [5]
The self-titled album Johnny Alegre Affinity was released in the Philippines in mid-2005 by Candid Records Philippines; and was rereleased in England the same year by Candid Records (UK) [6] for global distribution as Jazzhound. This was followed by performances at the PizzaExpress Jazz Club in London with guest saxophonist, Dimitri Vassilakis.
During 2006 and 2007, Alegre and Affinity worked on Eastern Skies, [7] an album of original compositions with the Global Studio Orchestra conducted by Gerard Salonga. [8] In 2009 MCA released Johnny Alegre 3, a trio album with Ron McClure (bass) and Billy Hart (drums). Alegre was MCA's first jazz act from the Philippines. [9] In 2014, MCA released a compilation of highlights from Alegre's Candid Records recordings, entitled Stories. [10] [11]
In 2008, Alegre recorded Humanfolk, the name of an album and a band formed with percussionist Susie Ibarra, drummer Roberto Juan Rodriguez, Cynthia Alexander, and Malek Lopez. For Humanfolk he wrote "Para Sa Tao" based on the Baybayin letters of the Tagalog language.
Alegre is profiled in the books The Great Jazz Guitarists by Scott Yanow [12] and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, Second edition (Volume 7). [13] [14]
In November 2023, a retrospective of Alegre's urban folk compositions for Humanfolk were featured in a 2-hour recital at the Ayala Museum, hosted by the Filipinas Heritage Library. [15] [16] [17]
Johnny Alegre is the youngest surviving grandchild of the late Sen. Juan Bautista Alegre y Levantino, [18] senator [19] who represented the 6th Senatorial District of the Bicol Region to the 6th and 7th Philippine Legislatures. The family genealogy of Johnny Alegre is descended from Carlist exiles [20] from Spain to the Philippines and intermarried with Filipinos. His paternal grandmother, Amanda ("Aimee") Alegre née Sargent, [21] [22] is descended from the early Sargent family of New England. [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]
Alegre is a member of FILSCAP, the Jazz Society of the Philippines, and served a term as a consultant of the Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival.
Other than his activities in jazz, World and Philippine music, Alegre was an officer of the now-defunct Wikimedia Philippines, the national chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation in the Philippines; and was the fourth president of the said chapter from July 2014 to June 2015. As part of his social commitment he was a past president of the Rotary Club of Makati Rockwell [29] [30] of Rotary International District 3830, [31] [32] serving his term in the Rotary Year [33] of 2018–2019, and was conferred a Paul Harris fellowship. [34] [35] In 2022, he was voted president of the affiliate Wikimedia user group, Philippine Wikimedia Community User Group or PhilWiki Community (PH-WC).
Album | Catalog/UPC No. | Label | Year |
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Stones of Intramuros (single) Track 9 Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist, Vol. 1 | IndiRa Records | 2002 | |
Johnny Alegre AFFINITY [36] | CAN-KC-5001 | Candid | 2005 |
Jazzhound (UK release) [37] | CCD 79842 | Candid | 2005 |
Jazzhound (radio edit, single) Track 4 Environmentally Sound: A Select Anthology of Songs Inspired by the Earth [38] | WWF | 2006 | |
Eastern Skies [7] | CAN-KC-5006 | Candid | 2007 |
Johnny Alegre 3 [39] | UPC:00600753200070 | MCA | 2009 |
Mammals [40] [41] | Japan Music Week | PH AFFINITY Productions | 2010 |
Humanfolk [42] | UPC:00600753330432 | MCA | 2011 |
Stories [10] [11] | UPC:00602537694600 | MCA | 2014 |
"ILWY" (vinyl) [43] [44] | HOURGLASS001 | Hourglass | 2020 |
Johnny Alegre AFFINITY (2LP) [45] [46] | JAA-001-BR | Backspacer Records [47] | 2022 |
Title | Musicians | Director | Producer | Genre | Year | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jazz in Time: Commemorative Concert XII [48] | Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax | Fritz Ynfante | Upsilon Sigma Phi | jazz concert | 2003 | U.P. Theater |
Jazzhound official music video [49] | Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax | Fritz Ynfante (concert footage) Wilfred Galila (video montage) | Mowelfund PH AFFINITY Productions | music video | 2005 | Mowelfund |
3rd Manila Jazz Festival [50] | Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Simon Tan, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax | Angela Poblador | Jewelmer International Corporation | jazz concert | 2005 | Greenbelt Theater |
Pinoy Jazz: The Story of Jazz in the Philippines [51] | Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax | Collis Davis | Richie Quirino, [52] Collis Davis | documentary | 2006 | U.P. Theater |
Fête de la Musique 2011 [53] | Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, electric bass ♦ Mar Dizon, drums | Franz Lawrence Tan | Fête de la Musique [54] | jazz concert | 2011 | The Fort BGC, Taguig |
Tiendesitas Super Jazz Weekend [55] | Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Yuna Reguerra, electric bass ♦ Wendell Garcia, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, keyboards | Dondi Santos | Tiendesitas | jazz concert | 2014 | Tiendesitas |
Beacon Call [56] | Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Joey Quirino, piano ♦ Ria Villena-Osorio, orchestration ♦ Gerard Salonga, conductor | MCA Music Philippines | PH AFFINITY Productions | sampler | 2014 | MCA Music Philippines |
Manila Jazz [57] | Interviews with Johnny Alegre, Tots Tolentino, Elhmir Saison, Mar Dizon, (seen: Colby dela Calzada) | Richard Villamor | Richard Villamor | documentary | 2013 | Greater Manila Area |
Title | Musicians | Director | Producer | Category | Year | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Para Sa Tao [58] | Abby Clutario, vocals, keyboards & Chapman Stick ♦ Johnny Alegre, acoustic guitar ♦ Cynthia Alexander, bass ♦ Malek Lopez, electronics | Daphne Oliveros | PH AFFINITY Productions | music video | 2011 | Greater Manila Area |
Hexagram II [59] | Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars & percussion ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums ♦ Frances Escapé, percussion | Perth Salva | PH AFFINITY Productions | live in the studio | 2013 | Perthman Studios, San Juan, Manila |
Himig Ng Pasko [60] | Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars & percussion ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums | JM Quiblat | PH AFFINITY Productions | music video | 2014 | Infinitif Studios |
Naglalarong Ilaw [61] | Kris Gorra Dancel, vocals & rhythm guitar ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars ♦ Abby Clutario, keyboards & harmonies ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums ♦ Deej Rodriguez, percussion | Phillip Miguel Luis & Lycylle Bianca Tse Cawaling | PH AFFINITY Productions | music video | 2015 | Infinitif Studios |
Indiemand [62] [63] | Johnny Alegre, guitars ♦ Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Deej Rodriguez, percussion | Pamela Carbonell | The Filipino Channel [64] | music video | 2019 | Pasig City Wildlife Reserve |
Year | Award |
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1974 | Don Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature, One-Act Play (English) Division, 2nd Place [65] |
1982 | Foremost Exponent of Jazz awarded by the Philippine Ministry of Tourism at the 1st Cebu Jazz Festival |
2006 | Award Of Excellence for Exemplary Musicianship by WWF Philippines for his musical support of the "For A Living Planet" advocacy. |
2010 | Plaque of Appreciation for his musical support of the Climate Change advocacy from a combined Oxfam and Dakila initiative. |
2012 | Awit Awards, [66] Best World Music Recording, Humanfolk, Philippine Association of the Record Industry |
2013 | Icon Award, 8th Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival [67] |
Best Performer Award, Kansai Music Conference [68] | |
2014 | Aliw Awards, Best Instrumentalist [69] [70] [71] |
Living the Credo Award, Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association | |
2016 | Outstanding Professional Award, Superbrands Philippines Council [72] |
2019 | Inspiring Leadership Award, Rotary International [73] District 3830 [32] |
Paul Harris Fellow, [74] [75] The Rotary Foundation [76] |
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The music of the Philippines includes the musical performance arts in the Philippines and the music of Filipinos composed in various local and international genres and styles. Philippine musical compositions are often a mixture of Indigenous styles, and various Asian styles, as well as Spanish/Latin American and (US) American influences through foreign rule from those countries.
Jonalyn Roxas Viray, known mononymously as Jona, is a Filipino singer. She was catapulted to mainstream prominence after she emerged as the first grand champion of Pinoy Pop Superstar.
The Johnny Alegre AFFINITY is a jazz group originating from the Philippines. It is led by self-taught Philippine guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre, together with bassist Colby de la Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison and saxophonist Tots Tolentino. The ensemble first gathered in May 2002 at Manila’s Pink Noise Studios for Alegre’s composition, “Stones of Intramuros”, for inclusion in the jazz anthology CD, Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist, Vol. 1, and thereafter carried on as a working unit.
Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is a Philippine broadcasting company. Its corporate office and studios are located at the 5th floor of Citystate Centre, 709 Shaw Blvd., Brgy. Oranbo, Pasig. It is one of the broadcast media assets of the ALC Group of Companies, alongside RPN and Nine Media. Aliw operates a number of radio stations under the Home Radio & DWIZ brands, as well as its only digital television and cable channel, ALIW Channel 23.
Pilar Cristina Roxas Amador, commonly known by her stage name Pinky Amador, is a Filipino actress, singer, commercial model and TV host.
Joey Albert is a Filipino singer, songwriter and lyricist. An alumna of St. Theresa's College Manila and Assumption College San Lorenzo, she began her professional singing career in 1981. In 1982, she was proclaimed winner of the Dream Girl Filipina contest on The Party, a television program hosted by Ariel Ureta over the now-defunct Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation. Albert became a member of The New Minstrels, a popular Philippine show band during the 1970s and the 1980s. Apart from Albert, The New Minstrels also produced many other outstanding Filipino musical artists.
Anna Fegi is a Filipino singer and actress. She has performed internationally in over seventy countries and is known for her work on the popular show ASAP on the ABS-CBN television network and The Filipino Channel (TFC), her performances in the Himig Handog competitions, as well as her two solo albums released under the Sony BMG label. Fegi is recognized by her powerful voice, high vocal range, and trademark curly hair.
The following is a list of notable events that are related to Philippine music in 2014.
HUMANFOLK is the musical collaboration and concept band of guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre with the New York City–based Fil-Am percussionist Susie Ibarra and her husband, drummer Roberto Juan Rodriguez, together with the multi-instrumentalist Cynthia Alexander and the electronica exponent Malek Lopez. This collective is a pioneering effort marking the convergence in a contemporary Philippine setting of multiple musical idioms. The group's name is a deliberate conjoining of the words "human" and "folk", akin to "menfolk" and "womenfolk", without prejudice to gender and frequently set in all caps to distinguish it from a dictionary term.
Gerphil Geraldine Flores is a German-Filipino classical crossover singer. In 2015, she joined the inaugural season of Asia's Got Talent, where she finished as second runner-up. A soprano, she was dubbed "Asia's Golden Girl."
Zephanie Odhene Liwag Dimaranan, is a Filipino singer, actress and host. She is known as the winner of the first season of Idol Philippines. Dimaranan is dubbed as "This Generation's Pop Princess" in the country by various media outlets.
Alegria Ocampo Ferrer is a Filipina soprano, professor, theater actress and a musical director who is awarded an Aliw Awards Hall of Fame in the category of Female Classical and included in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Encyclopedia of the Arts. The Aliw Awards is given to recognize excellence in Filipino talents. The CCP Encyclopedia of the Arts contains information about culture and the arts in the Philippines.
Juan Bautista Alegre y Levantino was a Filipino statesman, a delegate of the first Philippine Independence Mission of 1919 to Washington, D.C., Secretary of the National Committee of the Philippine Independence Commission of 1922, a member of the first Philippine Independence Congress of 1930, and Senator of the Philippines.
Narciso Joseph Alegre y Sargent was a Filipino civil liberties advocate, a founder of Young Philippines, and organizing member of the Civil Liberties Union of the Philippines.
Tots Tolentino is a jazz musician from the Philippines.
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