My Soul Jam Experience: A Night of RnB and Soul

It wasn't actually the first time I've been to this particular gig. Two years ago, a good friend of mine, Felipe Anjelo Calinawan, told me he's going to play guitars for a Rhythm and Blues event on November 2012. As an avid listener of this particular genre, I didn't hesitate to drop by, support my friend, and listen to some of Cebu's noteworthy musicians.  

 

And because of that one fateful night, my face was finally plastered in this poster. Hehe.

Turns out I was the fangirl who, out of sheer luck, has been given series of music stints (INCLUDING THIS) ever since that night at Bistro Ecila.

Storytelling aside, it was a great honour for me to be part of this musical feast. I couldn't be more thankful to Anjelo and to Aldwin Rondina of Soulstring for introducing me to the vibrant local music scene of our dear Queen City of the South. 

Wow.

Soul Jam 2014 is a get-together of a few of Cebu's acoustic sensations, promising new talents and established musicians. This event was produced by SUMMERCOUSTIC TWENTY ONE-THREE and SOUL JAM PRODUCTIONS in cooperation with HANDURAW PIZZA GORORDO and Bernie Marcelo of BURN CONCEPTS.

This greeted me that night. Yum.

The Early Birds

And boy, I am that glad to have collaborated with these cool guys before. We made a song for VISPOP 2013 entitled Ingun Ani (Click on this link to listen to the track) with Aldwin for the lyrics and melody, Zach and Anjelo for the arrangement. Lucky for us we made it to Top 11 despite the tight competition among the hundreds of seasoned and rising composers who joined.

Good times with Drae and Zach

The Hosting Chops of Emmanuel Cabral  (frontman of GINSYNC; SUMMERCOUSTIC 2013 First Runner-Up)

So, here's my little preview of the folks (and familiar faces) who serenaded the night away with feel-good tracks ranging from South Border's OPM-RnB classics to Elli Ingram's Jazzy Drake-Kendrick Lamar cover:

Singer-Songwriter Joe Vince and the Marsh Melodies

Macker P. Abong (Vocalist of SUMMERCOUSTIC 2013 Best Pop Group ON A RUSH, TM Manila Rap Battle 2013 Finalist and OPM Fliptop Cup 2013 Champion) and the folks from GINSYNC

Ukelele Serenader,  Ella Rose

Traffic Jam tries to play RnB!

Anton Mansueto of MIRYCLAY

Singer-Songwriter Drae Cerna

I had a duet with this very humble yet talented dude last year at Love Jam. Drae Cerna is one of those passionate musicians I have come to know. He had an RnB/Hiphop group before named ALKALINE and he also produced and wrote songs such as Don't Wanna Be Sober.

Paola Pia Sandiego (part of the cast of SIDDHARTA THE MUSICAL in the US last Nov-Dec 2013; cousin of Martina Sandiego, the voice behind the hit VISPOP song "Balay ni Mayang") with Paolo de la Victoria and the guys from Refrain

Acoustic diva Ivy Gallur (also a part of the cast of SIDDHARTA THE MUSICAL in the US) and Mike Fegi (Acoustic singer and brother of Cebuana diva Ana Fegi)

Great to see these uber-talented guys again! (Zach Escobedo, Aldwin Rondina of SOULSTRING, and Drae Cerna)

Always the hitmaker. Always the man with soul.

I can vividly remember the time when I first saw him sing. If there's one person who really stood out from the rest of the performers of Soul Jam 2012 (and of course, his succeeding music gigs), it was this guy. He had a way with pleasing the crowd without even trying. 

Aldwin Rondina of SOULSTRING is indeed a formidable fixture of Cebu's music scene. He has produced hits like Far Away From Me (which was one of the official soundtracks of Angel Locsin's movie Angels; its music video was also featured in Los Angeles TV in 2008) and Wish (which was on top of the charts of UR105 for 8 weeks in 2001). An esteemed composer, he also composed songs for Indie Pinoy in Manila, Next Stage, Pio and collaborated with Dice & K9. Aldwin, a member of Artist Ko Cebu and FILSCAP, has opened for artists like MYMP, Richard Poon, Jay-R, and Akafellas as well. 

What's really admirable about Aldwin is his nature to showcase the musical abilities of the recent generation. Case in point? He is one of the organisers of SUMMERCOUSTIC 2013, an April-May event that features musically-gifted youngsters.

All Eyes on Master Zach

Another familiar face of the crowd is this music genius who goes by the name Zach Escobedo. I also had a duet with this guy before (we tried our vocal chops at hitting the notes of P!nk & Nate Ruess' Just Give Me A Reason). A very accomplished guy in his 20s, Zach has also bagged the title Best in Keyboards in the recently-concluded Accenture Manila Battle of the Bands 2014.

The Crooners

Uly Tenchavez, Les Paul Pineda and Jad Bantug of REFRAIN

The Diva of the Night: Paola Pia Sandiego

Jad Bantug, Refrain's music man and owner of 1032 Studios

With Refrain (Uly Tenchavez, Jad Bantug and Les Paul Pineda) and Anjelo!

I am and I will always be a fan of this RnB group! Please pardon this fangirl side of me for now. Hihi. The first time I saw them perform was in UP Cebu's Cookout (Really sorry I couldn't remember the year. Perhaps I was just a college freshie at that time, struggling to pass the Anatomy and Physiology course.). What really stuck in my head all this time was their rendition of Boyz II Men's On Bended Knees a few years back. And yes, I was on my knees at that time, begging them to sing more songs. Finally, an RnB acapella-slash-acoustic group I can look forward to in the city!

One of my closest guy pals, Felipe Anjelo Calinawan (Sound Engineer of 1032 Studios)

This guy over here is someone I consider a colleague-turned-barkada. Anjelo and I worked at an ESL school a few years ago. When I found out he has the ultimate knack for music, we immediately started a not-so-official acoustic duo, playing songs like California King Bed and My Heart. Cut the story short. He's the ultimate culprit why music-related opportunities suddenly showered upon me. #chos

Ken Ancis of Natural Episode and Paolo de la Victoria of Redlites

With master rapper, Makii Greenfield (as how he prefers his name to be stylised)

The Victors of SUMMERCOUSTIC 2013: Earl Andrei Ornopia, Michael Vincent Avelino and Dave Nuevo of FREON

With my sister, Janille Rose (vocalist of NVRTHLESS; Best Vocalist of SUMMERCOUSTIC 2013)

We call ourselves "Turko's Angels" :p

Smart Traffic SEO's very own TRAFFIC JAM

I'd like to say thank you so much to the members of this newly formed band. You guys were exceptional that night!

Ladies and gents, I present to you my beloved workmates: TRAFFIC JAM!

Emil Jay Permejo – Drums

Bon Rafael Padayhag (from Junkyard, Anonymous, Yukaze and KM6) – Vocals

Alastair Lambo Jr. (from Monoline and Sadaea) - Lead Guitars

Christille Angeli Gultiano – Vocals *yours truly*

Ernie Atillo – Rhythm/Bass

Aldwin Atillo (from Blues Breaker) – Bass *he's actually not a workmate, rather he is Ernz' brother*

Dora Lou Jane Serenuela – Keyboards

To say Soul Jam 2014 is awesome or successful is an understatement. The only thing I can guarantee is that the people who attended the event left satiated, not only with food and drinks, but with great music. I'm very grateful for the opportunity and blessed to have witnessed such talents from Cebu. Thanks to my friends, by the way, who have come to see me and my band perform.