MANILA, Philippines – Legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans once said, “It bugs me when people try to analyze jazz as an intellectual theorem. It’s not. It’s feeling.” And while many may say “jazz isn’t for everyone” – if you reach deeper into the soul of any of today’s most popular American music, you will find jazz at its roots.  

But while the evolution of music continues. One Manila-based band called The Brat Pack is returning to a style of music most of the world seems to have moved on from: Jazz and blues. The group seeks to make jazz and blues relevant again.

Jazz in the Philippines   

The Brat Pack was formed in 2011 by bassist David Abesamis de Koenigswarter, and keyboardist RJ Pineda. Drummer Allan Abdulla and vocalist Christine Mercado joined later on.

“Since our acoustic pop jazz days, we have evolved the sound of the band through contemporary swing jazz, to soul, then to blues fused with rock and roll,” De Koenigwarter told Rappler.  

He believes that there is a place for jazz among the Filipino audiences. “At this point there is an audience, but it’s very compact,” he said. “We believe there is so much potential for Filipinos to appreciate jazz and blues, it just has to be introduced and packaged to them in a way that it will be somewhat familiar.”

Jazz in the Philippines dates back to the arrival of Americans in the Philippines in the early part of the 20th century. Acts like Katy dela Cruz, Atang dela Rama would perform covers as well as original Filipino jazz and jazz-influenced music. 

Full disclosure: I love jazz (obviously). Jazz and blues meant everything to me growing up. It was my companion and place of solace during rough times. Torch songs, blues progressions, scat singing evoked every type of emotion that would capture my heart and seized my gut. 

I would often feel alone in my obsession over jazz and blues music. Another disclosure: David and RJ are friends of mine. That’s why I was ecstatic when I learned they were playing together in a jazz and blues band. Jazz and blues are two genres that most young people find difficult understanding or relating to. 

“Jazz and blues are both so interesting in different ways, but are so related to each other in terms of musicality,” De Koenigwarter said. “These two, when mixed with rock and roll, can really take things to different heights in terms of emotions brought upon by the audience,” he added. “You can play happy, you can play fun, the band just feels that there is so much emotion we can put into performances in so many aspects.” 

Brattitude, which launched in July 2014, are all original songs. The title track is called Brattitude. Pianist RJ Pineda describes “brattitude” as a “high energy approach to anything. And confidence.”

Brattitude 

What stands out the most in the album are the original blues songs written in Filipino: A song called kurakuchichas, which is a blues song about corrupt politicians in the Philippines; and kaskasero, which de Koenigswarter said was “dedicated to all of the arrogant bus drivers in Manila.”  

When you watch a Brat Pack show, you’ll get everything from sad and emotional – to fast and high energy songs. 

The Brat Pack was the first Asian band to make it to the finals of the 30th Annual Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee in 2014. They hope to return to Memphis for the same competition in January. “We have raised our goals pretty high,” De Koenigswarter tells Rappler. 

Part of the proceeds from album sales will benefit victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which struck the Philippines last year. Aside from their weekly gigs, the group is preparing for an event called the “Leyte Musical Relief,” which is a series of free guitar clinics to be done in typhoon-affected areas in Leyte, in partnership with the Philippine Blues Society.  

Sabian cymbals, Fender bass, Roland keyboards, and Hammond have taken notice of the group and made the band official endorsers of their products here in the Philippines. And hopefully this is only the beginning for the return of Filipino jazz.

For a full schedule of gigs follow the Brat Pack’s Facebook page. – Rappler.com