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The Ne Pomocena (sic) Quartet, circa 1917

"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.
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Friday, September 03, 2004

I wonder if I am getting the "bug." That is, perusing the 78s in thrift shops is starting to become -- an obsession? I wouldn't say that yet. Although it's getting dangerously close when one hangs around the backroom of Downhome/Arhoolie Records for an hour, going through the old 78s bins, getting ones fingers grimy in the process. And when one finds oneself talking with the guys about various turntables, and the 2nd Sunday of every month swap meet, where one may find an Edison disk.

My recent purchases:

A collection of Les Paul tracks on one disk from "The New Sound," which includes, among other things, "Hip-Billy Boogie" (pre-curser to rockabilly?), and "The Swiss Woodpecker," on Capitol.

"Two Black Crows" by Moran and Mack, on Columbia (this is blackface vaudeville circa @ 1927).

"My Guy's Come Back," two sides by Benny Goodman & HIs Orchestra, on Columbia

"Old Plantation" (Kuu Home) by Pale K. Lua and David K. Kaili, on RCA Victor; the B side is "Hawaiian Echoes-Medley" by Helen Louise & Frank Ferera.

"Ebb Tide" and "Paradise Isle" by Sam Kiki and His Islanders on Decca.

"Porque" & "Acercate Mas" by Rafael Mendez His Trumpet and All Star Pan American Orchestra on Pan American records.

"Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wa-I" and "If Your Aloha Means I Love You" by Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra, vocals by Alvin-Kaleolani & Ensemble -- on Decca.

"Taking a Chance on Love" and "Cabin in the Sky," by Benny Goodman & Orchestra, on Columbia -- purchased primarily because these were from the film, Cabin in the Sky.

"The Vacation Song" and "The Hawaiian Lei Song" by Ruth Wallis, on Wallis Original.

"Kapuvári Verbunk & "Bazsa Mári Libája Csárdas," "Sajónémeti Párostánc," and "Százforintos Csárdás," by the Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra, on Folk Dancer (recorded in Hungary).

Obviously, I'm not very systematic in my search for old (pre World War II) Filipino music recorded in the U.S. Although, much of the fun is in getting sidetracked. I suspect I will find them only embedded in old Hawaiian recordings, or possibly on Edisons, and I'll have to know who played in which bands to get a handle on Filipino participation in the genre of Hawaiian music at that time.




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