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Live Music (Last updated 3rd May, 2006)

 

Jazz

Here are my favorites bands and venues. Unfortunately I have had to delete some bands and venues for this update.

Buhay – If you are a hard core Jazz lover, then you will love Buhay. These guys are really good and better still if Cookie Chua is singing with them.

Sandra Lim – Usually comes with a trio. She does easy listening Ella Fitzgerald type songs.  A great person with a greater voice. Even people who don’t normally like jazz will like her. She is also great at scat.

Affinity – The group was originally JR COBB. Definitely worth listening to. They mainly play at 70's Bistro and Freedom Bar. They are definitely not to be missed when Cookie Chua sings with them.

Cookie Chua – Not to be missed. She is laidback, strolls onto the stage, usually in the same black outfit, and relates more to the band than the audience. Her singing seems totally effortless, which is part of her style and makes her such a pleasure to listen to. I particularly like her when she sings with Affinity.

For more details on individual performers, have a look at http://www.jazzsociety.ph/  .The Events calendar is not being updated right now but there is lots of useful info in it.
 

Venues

70's Bistro – Anonas Street. Currently one of the main venues for live jazz. Only about 1Km from Freedom bar, and in the same street. Follow the directions as below to Freedom bar, but it is on your left, about 500 meters into Anonas Street. This is a low cost music bar. Check out what's on first.

Hobbit House – This place has been around for quite a few years, well before the “Lord of the Rings” movie. All the staff are Hobbits. I think the average height is about 4 feet. You will feel like you are in a Hobbit tavern. They have lots of good music there, so, if you only have a night in Manila, and are staying near Malate, then it is worth a visit. Entrance fee is about P150, but varies for the night of the week. Beers I think are about P80. They have a no-entrance-fee bar above and you can hear the music there through the floor.

Café Havana – The live music usually starts at about 10PM.The venue is easy to get to because it is on Remedios Circle, which is in the heart of lively Malate (just south of to Ermita). Drinks are about P100 and there is no cover charge. Take note of the person who took your drinks order because then you will know who to remind that you have not received your change yet :-)

Freedom Bar – On the second floor. Anonas Street, Project 2 (which is a suburb name) Quezon City. It is on the right and about 100 metres before you get to Aurora Boulevard. You can only get there in taxi. This is a low cost bar but good atmosphere. The shows usually start about 10PM. Check out what's on first. It is not so easy to get to as the taxi driver may get lost. From the Manila Bay direction, you head north up EDSA and turn right into Kamias Road. You go down Kamias for about 2 KMs, and then turn right (just before the golden arches of McDonald's) into Anonas.

 

Dress code

There are dress codes for some of the places mentioned here. You may get away with a T-shirt, but shorts and sandals will get you knocked back in some places. The dress code in the evenings is usually shirt with collar, long trousers (I only wear jeans) and shoes with socks.

 

Closures

Monk's Dream – At Wasabi on Makati Ave.  (closed December 31, 2005).

Monk's Dream – in Rockwell is now closed (2nd March 2004). This has been a major jazz venue for the last few years.

Kid Creole – in Greenbelt 3 is now closed.

Sanctum – closed July 17 2004.

 

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