Fil-Am jazz artists cheer up pandemic-weary fans

Filipino-American Jazz Fiesta featured veteran jazz artists (front left to right)Winston Raval, Eric Baul, Sandra Viray, Mon David, Charmaine Clamor, and Alvin Reyes. INQUIRER/Florante Ibanez

LOS ANGELES — On a sunny afternoon on the first Sunday of January, a hundred or so fully COVID vetted jazz fans grooved to beautiful sounds that soared above the outdoor grounds of the Conference Room restaurant-bar in Playa Vista, California.

The welcome break from the pandemic, held just below the Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University bluff, was hosted by Jazz Phil-USA and featured vocalists Charmaine Clamor, Alvin Reyes, Mon David, Sandra Viray and Eric Baul.

Music selections included jazz standards as well as original compositions. Also featured were performances by pianists Winston Raval and Robert Perez, with Abe Lagrimas Jr. on drums and ukulele, and Ahment Türkmenoğlu on upright bass.

Multi-talented Abe Lagrimas, Jr. takes off on ukulele while backed up on bass by Ahment Türkmenoğlu during the Fil-Am Jazz Fiesta last Jan. 2. INQUIRER/Florante Ibanez

Strict COVID protocols were in place with proof of vaccination or recent negative testing required. Jazz aficionados also treated themselves to the excellent menu choices and beverages from the Conference Room kitchen and bar.

All in all it was a great way to welcome 2022 safely among friends and artists. As Charmain Clamor proclaimed, “Let’s greet the New Year together with a lot of hope, love, joy and positivity! Time for a Filipino American Jazz Fiesta!”