Speaking the common language of jazz, happily

By Dennis V. Gargantiel
March 3, 2014 | 12:10 am
E pluribus jazz.
It seemed oddly fitting that the meet happened just outside the walls of historic Intramuros, where men of disparate cultures met many times before, under less-fortunate circumstances.

FILIPINO saxophonist Tots Tolentino

German vocalist Michael Schiefel, French guitarist Nguyen Le, Spanish percussionist Tino de Geraldo, Italian bass player Furio di Castri and Filipino saxophonist Tots Tolentino fused individual artistry together to speak the common language of jazz on Feb. 22 before a highly appreciative audience at Plaza Maestranza by the Pasig River in Intramuros, Manila.

It was the second of the  two-night 2014 Euro-Pinoy Jazz Concerts, an offering of the European Union National Institutes for Culture (Eunic) Philippines, the EU Delegation to the Philippines, the Intramuros Administration and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The old Walled City’s storied battlements were mute witnesses to what is hoped to be the prelude to an annual cross-cultural celebration of contemporary jazz music by top-shelf European and Filipino jazz artists.

Respected 

Though not as popular with local listeners as their American counterparts, the European guest artists are all accomplished, highly respected musicians in the world jazz scene.

GERMAN vocalist Michael Schiefel

Jazz guitar and guitar synthesizer exponent Le has recorded numerous albums both as solo artist and session man and has played with notables Peter Erskine, Randy Brecker and Marc Johnson.

Spaniard De Geraldo is likewise a recording artist who has collaborated with heavies such as Chick Corea and Pat Metheny. He toured with David Lindley and the reinvented Jackson

Browne for five years.

Bassist Di Castri has been one of Italy’s leading bass players since the 1970s. He has shared the stage with such greats as Chet Baker and Lee Konitz.

Berliner Schiefel is a university jazz vocal professor with a number of solo albums, as well as with the German group Jazz Indeed, to his credit.

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