Boy Katindig gives back to jazz

In the Manila jazz scene of the 70's and early '80's, Boy Katindig was one of the kings. Then in the late '80's, Boy migrated temporarily to America, where he forged a successful jazz career for himself. 

 

Now he's back in Manila, where he's determined to bring back the luster of the jazz scene he remembers from the early '80's, hence the idea of putting up a jazz competition.

 

Over dinner with Boy at the Hard Rock Cafe last Friday, he explained his rationale.  

"You're asking why this jazz competition? Nung '80's kasi, bago ako umalis, the jazz scene in Manila was healthy. Many people played it, and the music was adventurous, progressive. I'd like to help spark and foster that kind of scene again," he said.

 

"The music has given me so much over the years, so I'd love to give something back, even if only to help spark a spirit of progressiveness among the younger musicians," Boy smiled. 

 

"I've noticed," Boy continued, "that the younger musicians are either plaka or puro standards/standards. Where's the spirit of jazz, which is innovation, progressiveness, adventure? I'd like to hear us Pinoys come up with a truly original form of jazz music which is undeniably our own in sound, execution and design," he explained.

 

His plans for eventual winners of the competition include management and career guidance. As one who had a rather successful music career in America (as touring pianist for the likes of smooth jazz artist Paul Taylor, and having played with many jazz luminaries such as Regina Bell, Michael Paulo, Pauline Wilson and Eric Marienthal), Boy knows whereof he speaks.

 

It brings to mind an axiom this writer first gleaned from a book entitled “Effortless Mastery”: in jazz, innovation is the tradition.

 

As a largely improvisatory music, jazz demands of its adherents that they each have their own unique take on the music. And all jazz legends, bar none—from Coltrane to Parker—have eschewed status quo music and embraced a devil-may-care insouciance and adventurousness.

 

Perhaps this, then, is the moral of the Boy Katindig Jazz Competition—eschew your safe self, Pinoy jazz musician! Be adventurous! Join this competition and follow progressive routes out of the status quo!

 

Sounds like a worthwhile idea to me. –KG, GMA News