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Johnny Alegre

Guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre, jazz journeyman and recording artist from the Philippines. His pioneering projects progressively contribute towards bringing an emergent Southeast Asian milieu to the attention of musical audiences local and foreign; defying barriers of genre, demographics and cultural stereotypes. Alegre’s involvement in the Philippine scene spans scores of bands and recording projects, through thirty plus years of history in his country’s seminal “pinoy rock” and OPM (Original Philippine Music), culminating in his an epiphany into jazz.

In 2002, Johnny Alegre formed what effectively became Manila’s premier jazz collective, the JOHNNY ALEGRE AFFINITY (with bassist Colby dela Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison and saxophonist Tots Tolentino as co-founding members), which initiated a series of musical chairs that continue until the present day. His performances with AFFINITY spanned the breadth of Manila’s high profile clubs and concert venues in modular formats of trios, quartets and quintets. Their first recorded work, “Stones Of Intramuros”, written by Alegre, was included in a limited edition Philippine jazz anthology CD, Adobo Jazz Vol.1, that caught the attention of the London-based jazz specialty label, Candid Records.

Subsequently, the eponymous first album, “Johnny Alegre AFFINITY” was released in the Philippines in mid-2005, described by the local press as “a blend of musical, technical and communal creativity between the composer and his allies”. The opus was subsequently re-released in the U.K. as “Jazzhound”, with notices in British jazz publications, and capped by two sold-out engagements (with guest saxophonist, Dimitri Vassilakis) in London’s PizzaExpress Jazz Club. In 2008, Alegre unfolded “Eastern Skies”, an album set to the framework of an orchestral backdrop by the Global Studio Orchestra (conducted by Gerard Salonga, as arranged by Ria Villena-Osorio). It was his response to the clamor for even more innovative music from “Manila’s jazz superband”. Alegre’s introduction to a mainstream American jazz audience in Hollywood’s Catalina Bar in December 2007 earned him a favorable notice in the Los Angeles Times.

In pursuit of these encouragements, 2009 became the year of “Johnny Alegre3”, Alegre’s third outing: a U.S. trio recording of the guitarist-composer joined by Billy Hart (drums) and Ron McClure (bass). “3” serves as follow through to what promises to be a new global breakthrough effort for the Philippine jazz artist. This third release also marks his migration to his new home and record label, MCA MUSIC (Philippines) of the Universal Music Group.

Johnny Alegre created Humanfolk, a suite of compositions and the subsequent World Music concept band he undertook with the New York based percussion and indigenous music advocate, Susie Ibarra, together with her husband, drummer Roberto Juan Rodriguez, and with innovative Philippine-based musical artists and collaborators, singer-composer Cynthia Alexander and the sound designer, Malek Lopez.

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Jazzwise Magazine, Peter Quinn, Dec.2005/Jan.2006
"One of the galvanizing forces behind the Manila jazz scene, guitarist Johnny Alegre displays a genuine freshness and spontaneity, driven on by a clear tone and fluent playing. Reminiscent of the funkier side of Grant Green, Alegre and his darting and mercurial lines seem to acknowledge another influence, that of the great Herbie Hancock."

The Los Angeles Times, Don Heckman, Dec.10, 2007
"Johnny Alegre manages to invigorate his inventive lines with Pat Metheny-like drive and a sound reminiscent of Gabor Szabo."

Nottingham Evening Post, AJ, Oct.14, 2005
"An extremely pleasing sound from this high-energy Filipino outfit

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