Tots Tolentino

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Tots Tolentino
Birth nameMario Martin Allid Tolentino
Born (1959-07-02) July 2, 1959 (age 66)
Genres jazz, pop
Occupation(s) Musical artist, session musician, arranger
Instrument(s) saxophone (tenor, alto, and soprano sax), flute, clarinet, penny whistle
Years active1984-present
Labels
NationalityFlag of the Philippines.svg Philippines
Education Magna cum laude - Berklee College of Music
Alma mater University of the Philippines and Berklee College of Music
Occupation Educator in university
Employer University of Santo Tomas
Organization Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (AMP)
RelativesSen. Arturo Tolentino (grandfather)

Tots Tolentino [1] [2] (born on July 2, 1959) is a jazz musician from the Philippines.

Contents

Biography

Tots Tolentino's interest in jazz began at age 16 upon hearing recordings by Charlie Parker. [3] In 1977, he enrolled at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music where he studied flute under Prof. Eric Barcelo and played with the U.P. Jazz Ensemble, switching to saxophone. He afterwards enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, under the tutelage of Joseph "Joe" Viola [4] where he graduated magna cum laude in 1982. [5] His professional career as a first-call session musician in the Philippine recording industry [6] [7] culminated in his own first album in 1990. [8]

Albums

Tots Tolentino has five solo albums to date, namely the self-titled Tots Tolentino [8] (1990) and Inah [9] (1991), both under Blackgold Records; and Color Real [10] (1993) with Dypro Records. In 2012 he released a Christmas album entitled Tots Tolentino Plays Vehnee Saturno Christmas Songs [11] . In 2015, he released another Christmas album under the Jesuit Communications Foundation, called God Rest Ye! (Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino). [12]

Bands

In the early 90s, Tots Tolentino fronted the group Buhay, [13] [14] a band composed of Pinoy jazz musicians Wowee Posadas (keyboards), Mar Dizon [15] (drums), Meong Pacana (bass), and Tots Tolentino. [16]

In the mid-1990s, he was in invited by the famed trumpeter Terumasa Hino [17] to join the Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet, [18] [19] a jazz group featuring four of Asia's prominent jazz musicians, namely pianist/organist Jeremy Monteiro from Singapore, guitarist Eugene Pao from Hong Kong, drummer Hong Chanutr Techatana-nan [20] from Thailand, and saxophonist Tots Tolentino from the Philippines.

Tots joined Johnny Alegre AFFINITY in 2002, a Manila-based jazz group with frontman Johnny Alegre (guitar), Colby de la Calzada (contrabass), Elhmir Saison (piano), and Koko Bermejo (drums). Johnny Alegre AFFINITY released several albums which were nominated for awards.

He was one of the founders and principal soloists of a large ensemble called The AMP Band, [21] consisting of members from the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino, [22] [23] hence its name.

Adobo Jazz

Tolentino participated in ensembles featured in the Adobo Jazz series of Pinoy Jazz anthology albums.

Advocacy

Tots Tolentino helped organize the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (trans: Association of Filipino Musicians). [22] to professionalize Filipino musicians wages, contracts and render financial assistance, legal counsel and coordination with government agencies.

Academe

Tots joined the faculty of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music (UST Music) [24] and is presently the head of its Jazz Studies program [25] and the conductor of the UST Jazz Ensemble. [26] [27] The Filipino Music Art Collective [28] lists Tots Tolentino as one of their mentors.

Discography

Solo albums

YearAlbum TitleArtistLabelCatalog/BarcodeGenreFormat
1990Tots Tolentino [29] Tots Tolentino Blackgold Records BA-5166 Crossover Jazz LP
1991InahTots Tolentino Blackgold Records KBA-5203 Crossover Jazz Cassette
1993Color RealTots Tolentino Dypro Records 86/91Pop/Rock CD
2012Tots Tolentino Plays Vehnee Saturno Christmas SongsTots TolentinoSaturno RecordsChristmas CD
2015God Rest Ye! (Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino) [30] Tots Tolentino Jesuit Communications Foundation Christmas CD

Compilation albums

YearSingle/AlbumArtistLabelCatalog/BarcodeGenreFormat
2002 Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist, Vol. 1 (two recordings with two different bands) Johnny Alegre AFFINITY

Monk's Jazz Bureau

IndiRa RecordsJazz Compilation CD
2002 Adobo Jazz, Vol. 2 The Bobby Enriquez All-Star BandIndiRa RecordsJazz Compilation CD
2012A Bossa Nova Love Affair [31] [32] Various Artists Candid Records CCD 71805Jazz Compilation CD
2019 Adobo Jazz: Filipino Jazz Music of Our Time, Vol. 1 ETS BandBowfinger RecordsJazz Compilation CD

Group albums

YearAlbum TitleArtistLabelCatalog/BarcodeGenreFormat
2000Inner Country [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] Bob Aves Group BMG World Jazz CD
2005 Johnny Alegre AFFINITY [38] Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Candid Records PhilippinesCAN-KC-5001 Jazz CD
2005Jazzhound [39] Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Candid Records CCD 79842 Jazz CD
2007Eastern Skies [40] Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Candid Records PhilippinesCAN-KC-5006 Jazz CD
2011Live At The Living Room Jazz Festival, Bangkok [41] Asian Jazz All-Stars Power QuartetJazznote Records Jazz CD
2014Stories Johnny Alegre AFFINITY MCA Music (Philippines) UPC:00602537694600 Jazz CD
2022Johnny Alegre AFFINITY [42] [43] Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Backspacer RecordsJAA-001-BR Jazz Vinyl

Session work

YearSingle/AlbumArtistLabelCatalog/BarcodeGenreFormat
1976Pamasko [44] [45] The New MinstrelsRJV RecordsR-5001Christmas LP
1990Thaddea [32] Rudy Lozano Ivory Records 463Jazz Cassette
1991A New Start [32] Martin Nievera Dyna Music Easy Listening CD
1994Roads [32] Martin Nievera Polycosmic Records DST-92-243Easy Listening CD
1996Another Chance [32] Janno Gibbs Polycosmic Records 92-264Pop/Rock CD
1998In Love [32] Lea Salonga BMG 1Vocal CD
1999Aawitan Ko Na Lang [32] Ariel Rivera Musiko117Pop/Rock CD
1999Forever, Forever [32] Martin Nievera EMI / PolyEast Records 547619Easy Listening CD
1999Louie O. [32] Louie Ocampo Musiko / BMG MRMC 128New Age CD
1999Papa's Bag [32] Menchu Apostol Viva Records 99045Pop/Rock CD
2000By Heart [32] Lea Salonga BMG 9Easy Listening CD
2000Jazz in Time [32] Richard Merk Star Records 11-27006-4Jazz CD
2000Revive (Bonus Disc) [32] Gary Valenciano Universal Records Philippines 41221Religious CD
2000Servant of All [32] Various artists Viva Records 0000125Pop/Rock Compilation CD
2000Show Me The Way [32] Chad Borja Warner Music Philippines Pop/Rock Digital Media
2000Simply ... Rex [32] Rex Smith MCA 59721Pop/Rock CD
2000The Disco Project [32] PassageNeo Musiq2000006Pop/Rock CD
2001At The Movies [32] Ivy Violan Viva Records 2001-02Pop/Rock CD
2001My Souvenirs [32] Martin Nievera EMI / PolyEast Records 016145Easy Listening CD
2001Oras [32] Rannie RaymundoNeo MusiqNR-CAS-01-028Pop/Rock CD
2001Soulitude [46] [47] [32] Mon David Easy Listening CD
2003Beyond Words [48] Track 10: Until Then Gary Valenciano Universal Records Philippines 669910560853 CD and Digital Media
2003... Miracle / Giliw [32] Martin Nievera Vicor Music 117Easy Listening CD
2004Best Wishes: A Wedding Songs Collection [32] Martin Nievera EMI / PolyEast Records 578510Easy Listening CD
2004ThorThorEvolution Music / Warner Music Philippines R&B CD
2004Once in a Lifetime Freestyle Viva Records VR CDS 04 137Pop CD
2005When Love Is Gone [32] Martin Nievera EMI / PolyEast Records 34645Easy Listening CD
2005Life and Time Mon David Candid Records PhilippinesCAN-KC-7001Vocal Jazz CD
2006My One and Only Love [46] Mon David Candid Records PhilippinesVocal Jazz CD
2007Milestones [32] Martin Nievera EMI 09291Easy Listening CD
2008Angelsong [49] Aya YusonCandid Records PhilippinesJazz CD
2012Stranger on the Shore [50] [51] Mishka Adams Candid Records CCD 79858Jazz CD

Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkArtist/s or GroupResult
19914th Awit Awards Gold Record AwardTots Tolentino (self-titled album)Tots TolentinoWon
19914th Awit Awards Best Jazz RecordingInahTots TolentinoWon
19925th Awit Awards Best Jazz Instrumental Recording [52] InahTots TolentinoWon
200315th Awit Awards Best Jazz Instrumental Recording [52] Kalabukab Buhay (Wowee Posadas (keyboards), Mar Dizon (drums), Meong Pacana (bass), and Tots Tolentino (saxophone)Won
200518th Aliw Awards Best Instrumental ArtistTots Tolentino (saxophone)Nominated
200518th Awit Awards Best Jazz Album Johnny Alegre AFFINITY (self-titled album) Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Nominated
200821st Aliw Awards Best Major Concert [53] [54] Love's What Matters Most (Valentine Concert)John Lesaca (violin), Tots Tolentino (saxophone), and Noelle Cassandra (harp)Nominated
200821st Aliw Awards Best Instrumentalist [53] [54] Tots Tolentino (saxophone)Nominated
201629th Awit Awards Best Jazz RecordingThe Christ Childcomposer: Marlene del Rosario / instrumentalist: Tots TolentinoNominated

References

  1. ↑ "Tots Tolentino". www.pmauriatmusic.com. p. 112.
  2. ↑ The Philippines Yearbook. Fookien Times. 2005. p. 87.
  3. ↑ "Biography of Tots Tolentino" (PDF). Cultural Center of the Philippines. 2017-10-01.
  4. ↑ "Joseph Viola". Berklee Press.
  5. ↑ Quirino, Richie C. (2008). Mabuhay Jazz: Jazz in Postwar Philippines. Anvil. ISBN   978-971-27-2067-3. OCLC   312682998.
  6. ↑ Shepherd, John (2003). Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World, Volume II: Performance and Production. A&C Black. ISBN   978-0-8264-6322-7.
  7. ↑ CCP encyclopedia of Philippine art. Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. p. 68. ISBN   971-8546-23-5. OCLC   31991787.
  8. 1 2 Tots Tolentino - Tots Tolentino | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  9. ↑ Inah - Tots Tolentino | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  10. ↑ Color Real - Tots Tolentino | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  11. ↑ Tots Tolentino Plays Vehnee Saturno Christmas Songs by Tots Tolentino on iTunes
  12. ↑ "JesCom Philippines | God Rest Ye: Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino". JesCom Philippines. 2019-01-22.
  13. ↑ "Buhay biography". Last.fm.
  14. ↑ Everything Cebu (2012-10-05). "Jazz n' Bluz". Everything Cebu.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "Mar Dizon". zildjian.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-09. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  16. ↑ Quirino, Richie C. (2004). Pinoy jazz traditions. Published and exclusively distributed by Anvil. OCLC   680447848.
  17. ↑ "Terumasa Hino | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  18. ↑ "Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet". Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet | Artist | Bandwagon | Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia.
  19. ↑ "The Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet on Apple Music".
  20. ↑ "Hong Chanutr Techatananan". Tidal.
  21. ↑ Yuson, Aya (16 February 2011). "Jazz in the 3rd World". GMA News Online.
  22. 1 2 "Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino – Official website of the Musicians Association of the Philippines".
  23. ↑ "Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (Association of Filipino Musicians)". ASEF culture360.
  24. ↑ "University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music". UST Conservatory of Music.
  25. ↑ "Tots Tolentino". www.pmauriatmusic.com.
  26. ↑ "Agimat : Music - In a Merry Mood: From Classical to Jazz". www.agimat.net.
  27. ↑ "CCP holds the 1st Philippine International Guitar Festival". Philstar.com.
  28. ↑ "Mentors | Filipino Music Art Collective". FMAC Music Workshop.
  29. ↑ Tots Tolentino – Tots Tolentino (Vinyl), 1990
  30. ↑ "God Rest Ye: Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino – JesCom Philippines". 22 January 2019.
  31. ↑ A Bossa Nova Love Affair - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 "Tots Tolentino | Credits". AllMusic.
  33. ↑ Quirino, Richie C. "Bob Aves: Bob Files". www.gracenono.com.
  34. ↑ Gonzales, David (2000-06-17). Billboard - Global Music Pulse: The Latest Music News from Around the Planet. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 73.
  35. ↑ Filipinas Magazine. Filipinas Pub. 2001. p. 46.
  36. ↑ "Exploring the 'inner country'". Philstar.com.
  37. ↑ Inner Country - Bob Aves | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  38. ↑ Johnny Alegre – Affinity (2005, CD), archived from the original on 2021-05-02
  39. ↑ Johnny Alegre Affinity - Jazzhound | daddykool
  40. ↑ Johnny Alegre – Eastern Skies (2007, CD), 2007
  41. ↑ Patterson, Ian (2011-11-11). "Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet: Live at the Living Room Jazz Festival, Bangkok album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz.
  42. ↑ "Jazz masterpiece 'Affinity' by Johnny Alegre out on vinyl this October 2". ABS-CBN News.
  43. ↑ "On Vinyl, "Affinity" is a Sonic Masterpiece". ourbrew.ph. 16 October 2022.
  44. ↑ "Filipinas Heritage Library | Biblio". www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph.
  45. ↑ The New Minstrels – Pamasko (1976, Vinyl), 1978
  46. 1 2 Balasbas-Gancayco, Dot Ramos. "Mon David: Music is the air I breathe". Philstar.com.
  47. ↑ Nepales, Ruben V. (2012-09-07). "Mon David dazzles in latest album". INQUIRER.net.
  48. ↑ "Release "Beyond Words" by Gary Valenciano - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org.
  49. ↑ Magno, Alexander T. (2008-09-15). "Jazz guitarist Aya Yuson makes songwriting debut in 2nd LP". GMA News.
  50. ↑ Mishka Adams - Stranger on the Shore | AllMusic
  51. ↑ Arcellana, Juaniyo. "Stranger shores". www.philstar.com.
  52. 1 2 "Viva - Awit Awards". studylib.net. p. 25.
  53. 1 2 "21st Aliw Awards releases list of nominees for best performances". PEP.ph.
  54. 1 2 "21st Annual Aliw Awards List of Nominees - Aliw Awards 2008". Pinoy Teens. 2008-10-11.
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