By Tina Arceo-Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:12 am | Monday, December 23rd, 2013
For Filipino jazz exponent Bob Aves, the Philippines, which has a rich and deep musical tradition, is his classroom while the rest of the world is his market.
And like everybody else who attempts to take on the global stage, what Aves brings with him is his identity, specifically his own blend of Filipino jazz—a mix of improvisation and the unique notes produced by indigenous instruments such as the kulintang.
Bacolod-born Aves has so far produced two albums that showcase this music.
His first album was called “Translating the Gongs.” This was followed by his latest release, “Out of Tradition,” the tracks of which were heard during his performance at the 2nd CCP International Jazz Festival last September at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Universal approach
He says that while “Translating the Gongs” focuses on Maguindanao music, “Out of Tradition” uses a more universal approach to melodies and harmonies that make the original tunes easier to listen to, thus contributing to his campaign to bring Filipino world music to a larger audience.
Aves first learned to play the piano as a child growing up in Bacolod. Tickling the ivories soon gave way to strumming the guitar in his early teens, when his cousin taught him three basic “open” guitar chords.
He taught himself to play; the guitar remains his main instrument.
Aves says becoming a guitar player during his teens was an exciting time as Woodstock had just happened and Jimi Hendrix held court, along with other guitar heroes like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.
Read more: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/144205/bob-aves-fuses-jazz-with-southeast-asian-heritage#ixzz2oMngocbB
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