"Enchanting Melodies on Native Instruments" was the phrase used to introduce the Ne Pomoceno Quartet to mid-western audiences in 1917. Nowadays, those words are ironic, considering that, outside of the International Expositions, Filipinos playing in clubs and chautauquas rarely played native instruments, although they did play Philippine adaptations of European string instruments. This website is dedicated to Filipino musicians in the United States, especially those "old-timers" who performed during the early 20th century. My father was one of them: he played in a band in New Orleans and other cities during the 1930s. My grandfather and granduncle played in the Philippine Constabulary Band in international expositions. Filipinos have been entertaining audiences with their music since at least the early 20th century. Considering that "Manilla Men" first began settling in the Louisiana territory during the 18th century, it's possible that Filipino musicians have been making music in the Americas since the 19th century or earlier. My aim for this website is to post information on these little-known and under-appreciated musicians, and update as often as possible. This is a labor of love. Thanks to the "Redpath Chautauqua Collection and Traveling Culture exhibit, Special Collections, University of Iowa for making some of this material (photographs and documents about Filipino musicians in the Chautauqua) available.
If you have information or photos of Filipino musicians or bands from the early to mid-20th century (1960s) and would like it posted on this site, contact me at okir2k@gmail.com.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
OK, I can see that it'll be difficult to stay strictly within the early 20th century on this blog. Anyway, speaking of Joe Bataan, the other day I walked into Downhome (Arhoolie) Records in El Cerrito, and was surprised to find a poster of Joe Bataan on their wall behind the counter! Well, you know, it's just that Downhome/Arhoolie has always seemed so "local" (East Bay/San Francisco) to me, and Joe Bataan is so "New York."
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
I've been reviewing books for the Pacific Reader Literary Supplement of the Seattle-based International Examiner. I've just started reviewing music for them. (What joy!)Today I am listening to Cuong Vu.
Here's a picture of a little red bandurria from
The Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble gives a history of the Rondalla. The string instruments used in the Rondalla (bandurria, laud, octavina, bass, and guitar) are all to be found in the Filipino bands and orchestras that performed in the Chautauquas. What seems to be different in the Chautauqua bands are the use of piano, violin, banjo and steel guitar.
Sunday, May 02, 2004
More on old-timer Filipino musicians coming up soon. In the meantime, read about the father of SalSoul, Joe Bataan.
