Jazz guitarist and composer from the Philippines
Juan Bautista H. Alegre III (born June 4, 1955),
[1] known professionally as Johnny Alegre , is a
jazz guitarist and composer from
Manila , Philippines. He leads the
jazz group
Johnny Alegre Affinity
[2] and the
world music group
Humanfolk .
[3]
Biography
Career
Johnny Alegre (center) with bassist
Ron McClure (left) and drummer
Billy Hart (right). The photo was taken in New York City when they recorded Johnny Alegre 3 for distribution by MCA.
Alegre studied composition at the
University of the Philippines College of Music in the latter 1970s. He was a founding member of the U.P. Jazz Ensemble.
[4] He participated in workshops by composer
Erhard Karkoschka , guitarist
Ike Isaacs , and composer
Chou Wen-chung .
In May 2002, Alegre formed the
Johnny Alegre Affinity with bassist Colby de la Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison, and saxophonist
Tots Tolentino . Their first recorded work, "Stones of Intramuros", written by Alegre, was included in the limited edition Philippine jazz anthology
Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist (Vol. 1) .
[5]
The self-titled album Johnny Alegre Affinity was released in the
Philippines in mid-2005 by Candid Records Philippines; and was rereleased in England the same year by
Candid Records (UK)
[6] for global distribution as Jazzhound . This was followed by performances at the
PizzaExpress Jazz Club in London with guest saxophonist, Dimitri Vassilakis.
During 2006 and 2007, Alegre and Affinity worked on Eastern Skies ,
[7] an album of original compositions with the
Global Studio Orchestra conducted by
Gerard Salonga .
[8] In 2009 MCA released Johnny Alegre 3 , a trio album with
Ron McClure (bass) and
Billy Hart (drums). Alegre was MCA's first jazz act from the Philippines.
[9] In 2014, MCA released a compilation of highlights from Alegre's Candid Records recordings, entitled Stories .
[10]
[11]
In 2008, Alegre recorded
Humanfolk , the name of an album and a band formed with percussionist
Susie Ibarra , drummer Roberto Juan Rodriguez,
Cynthia Alexander , and Malek Lopez. For Humanfolk he wrote "
Para Sa Tao " based on the
Baybayin letters of the
Tagalog language .
Alegre is profiled in the books The Great Jazz Guitarists by
Scott Yanow
[12] and the
Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art , Second edition (Volume 7).
[13]
[14]
In November 2023, a retrospective of Alegre's urban folk compositions for Humanfolk were featured in a 2-hour recital at the
Ayala Museum , hosted by the
Filipinas Heritage Library .
[15]
[16]
[17]
Family
Johnny Alegre is the youngest surviving grandchild of the late
Sen.
Juan Bautista Alegre y Levantino ,
[18]
senator
[19] who represented the
6th Senatorial District of the
Bicol Region to the 6th and 7th
Philippine Legislatures . The family
genealogy of Johnny Alegre is descended from
Carlist
exiles
[20] from Spain to the
Philippines and intermarried with Filipinos. His paternal grandmother, Amanda ("Aimee") Alegre née Sargent,
[21]
[22] is descended from the early
Sargent family of
New England .
[23]
[24]
[25]
[26]
[27]
[28]
Other personas
Johnny Alegre is a member of
FILSCAP and tenured with the Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival as a consultant. He is an active
Wikimedian advocate that includes
WikiProject Jazz . As Juan Bautista H. Alegre, he is a Rotary Club past president (Makati Rockwell,
[29]
[30] Rotary International District 3830),
[31]
[32]
[33] , and was conferred a
Paul Harris fellowship .
[34]
[35]
Discography
Collaborations
Videography
Johnny Alegre Affinity
Title
Musicians
Director
Producer
Genre
Year
Venue
Jazz in Time: Commemorative Concert XII
[48]
Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦
Tots Tolentino , alto sax
Fritz Ynfante
Upsilon Sigma Phi
jazz concert
2003
U.P. Theater
Jazzhound official music video
[49]
Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦
Tots Tolentino , alto sax
Fritz Ynfante (concert footage) Wilfred Galila (video montage)
Mowelfund PH AFFINITY Productions
music video
2005
Mowelfund
3rd Manila Jazz Festival
[50]
Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Simon Tan, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦
Tots Tolentino , alto sax
Angela Poblador
Jewelmer International Corporation
jazz concert
2005
Greenbelt Theater
Pinoy Jazz: The Story of Jazz in the Philippines
[51]
Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, piano ♦
Tots Tolentino , alto sax
Collis Davis
Richie Quirino,
[52] Collis Davis
documentary
2006
U.P. Theater
Fête de la Musique 2011
[53]
Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, electric bass ♦ Mar Dizon, drums
Franz Lawrence Tan
Fête de la Musique
[54]
jazz concert
2011
The Fort
BGC , Taguig
Tiendesitas Super Jazz Weekend
[55]
Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Yuna Reguerra, electric bass ♦ Wendell Garcia, drums ♦ Elhmir Saison, keyboards
Dondi Santos
Tiendesitas
jazz concert
2014
Tiendesitas
Beacon Call
[56]
Johnny Alegre, guitar ♦ Colby dela Calzada, contrabass ♦ Koko Bermejo, drums ♦ Joey Quirino, piano ♦ Ria Villena-Osorio, orchestration ♦
Gerard Salonga , conductor
MCA Music Philippines
PH AFFINITY Productions
sampler
2014
MCA Music Philippines
Manila Jazz
[57]
Interviews with Johnny Alegre,
Tots Tolentino , Elhmir Saison, Mar Dizon, (seen: Colby dela Calzada)
Richard Villamor
Richard Villamor
documentary
2013
Greater Manila Area
Humanfolk
Title
Musicians
Director
Producer
Category
Year
Venue
Para Sa Tao
[58]
Abby Clutario, vocals, keyboards & Chapman Stick ♦ Johnny Alegre, acoustic guitar ♦
Cynthia Alexander , bass ♦ Malek Lopez, electronics
Daphne Oliveros
PH AFFINITY Productions
music video
2011
Greater Manila Area
Hexagram II
[59]
Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars & percussion ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums ♦ Frances Escapé, percussion
Perth Salva
PH AFFINITY Productions
live in the studio
2013
Perthman Studios, San Juan, Manila
Himig Ng Pasko
[60]
Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars & percussion ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums
JM Quiblat
PH AFFINITY Productions
music video
2014
Infinitif Studios
Naglalarong Ilaw
[61]
Kris Gorra Dancel, vocals & rhythm guitar ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars ♦ Abby Clutario, keyboards & harmonies ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums ♦ Deej Rodriguez, percussion
Phillip Miguel Luis & Lycylle Bianca Tse Cawaling
PH AFFINITY Productions
music video
2015
Infinitif Studios
Indiemand
[62]
[63]
Johnny Alegre, guitars ♦ Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Deej Rodriguez, percussion
Pamela Carbonell
The Filipino Channel
[64]
music video
2019
Pasig City Wildlife Reserve
Awards
Year
Award
1974
Don Carlos
Palanca Awards for Literature, One-Act Play (English) Division, 2nd Place
[65]
1982
Foremost Exponent of Jazz awarded by the Philippine Ministry of Tourism at the 1st
Cebu Jazz Festival
2006
Award Of Excellence for Exemplary Musicianship by WWF Philippines for his musical support of the "For A Living Planet" advocacy.
2010
Plaque of Appreciation for his musical support of the
Climate Change advocacy from a combined Oxfam and Dakila initiative.
2012
Awit Awards ,
[66] Best World Music Recording, Humanfolk ,
Philippine Association of the Record Industry
2013
Icon Award, 8th Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival
[67]
Best Performer Award,
Kansai Music Conference
[68]
2014
Aliw Awards , Best Instrumentalist
[69]
[70]
[71]
Living the Credo Award,
Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association
2016
Outstanding Professional Award,
Superbrands Philippines Council
[72]
2019
Inspiring Leadership Award,
Rotary International
[73] District 3830
[32]
Paul Harris Fellow ,
[74]
[75] The Rotary Foundation
[76]
Paternal line
Ancestors of Johnny Alegre
Cmdte.
Narciso Alegre y Solsona
[79]
[80]
[81] General of the 1st-3rd
Carlist wars c. 1800
Narciso Alegre y Pellicer
[78]
Carlist exile from
Villarroya de los Pinares 1866 - 1919 Juana Pellicer y Larrocha
Juan Bautista Alegre y Levantino Senator of the 6th and 7th Philippine Legislatures Feb 2, 1882 - June 14, 1931 Ramona Levantino y Lascano c. 1800 - 1918
Narciso Joseph Alegre y Sargent Filipino civil liberties advocate Apr 4, 1911 - October 17, 1980 Amanda ("Aimee") Sargent
[77] Apr 10, 1885 - July 1, 1945 Juan Bautista Alegre y Hernaez Jazz guitarist and composer from Manila, Philippines Jun 4, 1955 - Teodora Hernaez de Alegre Apr 1, 1935 - October 22, 2014
Images
Historical emblem of the Alegre family of
Villarroya de los Pinares
Johnny Alegre at the 2015 Wikimedia Conference in Berlin
Johnny Alegre at the 2014 Waray Wikipedia, 11th Sunrise Festival
Johnny Alegre's maiden
HUMANFOLK project
Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales and Johnny Alegre pose for a photo in Wikimania 2023, Singapore
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External links