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.
The band's first public appearance in October of the same year for the Adobo Jazz album launch at the Monk's Dream Jazz Bar heralded the AFFINITY's reputation – as described by aficionados in the ensuing reviews — as “Manila’s Jazz Superband”, with a power trio at its core. For the remainder of the year, the group emerged in various guises and personnel variations, composed of a who's who of luminaries from the Philippine jazz scene.
In 2003, the original quintet that recorded “Stones of Intramuros” returned to the studio to record new compositions by Alegre; followed by a succession of other dates leading to the release of the eponymous album, Johnny Alegre AFFINITY, renamed Jazzhound, by the London-based jazz specialty label, Candid Records (UK).
The band was prominently featured at the annual Fête de la Musique and the Korg Music Festival. In November, the Johnny Alegre AFFINITY inaugurated their new compositions and arrangements before an enthusiastic jazz audience at the University of the Philippines Theatre, which was subsequently broadcast, live, on prime time over national television. This national debut performance was also issued as a DVD by the sponsoring Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity and had since been included in a historical documentary of Philippine Jazz, issued by the Jazz Society of the Philippines. In 2004, AFFINITY once again became the focal point of two major jazz concert events, the Makati Jazz Festival celebrating its Foundation Day; and the 2nd Manila Jazz Festival.
In 2005, through critical support matched by impressive album sales, Candid Records ushered the Manila “jazz superband” through a tour of stellar performances (highlighted by a formal launch at the famed Ayala Museum), capped by two groundbreaking performances at London's PizzaExpress Jazz Club. Their repeat performance in the 3rd Manila Jazz Festival was subsequently issued as a DVD by the Jewelmer Corporation. A new Candid Records release, entitled Eastern Skies, was launched in December 2007 featuring AFFINITY amidst big band and symphonic arrangements by orchestrator Ria Osorio featuring the music of Johnny Alegre with the Global Studio Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga.
Nominations Year PARI Venue Category Nominated work Results200518th Awit AwardsAFP TheaterBest Jazz AlbumJohnny Alegre AFFINITY200821st Awit AwardsEastwood Central PlazaBest Jazz RecordingBeacon Call
Awards Conferred on Johnny Alegre as leader YearAward Giving Body Venue Award 2006WWF Philippines Ayala Tower One Award Of Excellence for Exemplary Musicianship of "For A Living Planet" 20138th Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Icon Award 2014Aliw Awards Newport Performing Arts Theater Best Instrumentalist
Discography Album Catalog/UPC No. Label Year 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 CAN-KC-5001 Candid 2005 Jazzhound (UK release) CCD-79842 Candid 2005 Jazzhound (radio edit, single) Track 4 ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND: A Select Anthology of Songs Inspired by the Earth WWF 2006 Eastern Skies CAN-KC-5006 Candid 2007 Stories UPC:00602537694600 MCA 2014Johnny Alegre AFFINITY (2LP) JAA-001-BR Backspacer Records 2022
Videography TitleMusicians Director Producer Genre Year Country Jazz in Time: Commemorative Concert XIIJohnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax Fritz Ynfante Upsilon Sigma Phi jazz concert 2003 Philippines Jazzhound official music videoJohnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax Fritz Ynfante (concert footage)Wilfred Galila (video montage) MowelfundPH AFFINITY Productions music video 2005 Philippines 3rd Manila Jazz FestivalJohnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Simon Tan, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax Angela Poblador Jewelmer International Corporation jazz concert 2005 Philippines Pinoy Jazz: The Story of Jazz in the PhilippinesJohnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦ Tots Tolentino, alto sax Collis Davis Richie Quirino, Collis Davis documentary 2006 Philippines Fête de la Musique 2011Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, electric bass ♦ Mar Dizon, drums Franz Lawrence Tan Fête de la Musique jazz concert 2011 Philippines Tiendesitas Super Jazz WeekendJohnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Yuna Reguerra, electric bass ♦ Wendell Garcia, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, keyboards Dondi Santos Tiendesitas jazz concert 2014 Philippines Beacon CallJohnny 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 Philippines
References
External links
Candid Records Artist roster Johnny Alegre AFFINITY on Spotify Johnny Alegre AFFINITY on Discogs Johnny Alegre AFFINITY on Asian Rock Rising Johnny Alegre AFFINITY deluxe edition on Amazon