New York City-based working musician Eric Celerio is releasing an album called “Celerio By Celerio” as a tribute to his father, National Artist for Music, Levi Celerio.
The album, released under a distributorship deal with Universal Records, will be out on Oct. 7, on various digital platforms.
Made up of 13 tracks, this new album has strong jazz, Latin, neo-classical, smooth pop, and jazz flavors juxtaposed with old man Levi's timeless Tagalog classics rendered with a modern touch. Think Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal.
"In my album, pinalitan ko ng konti 'yung mga beat. Songs are meant to be universal. Parang classics. Same thing with the songs of my father. Ang artist inuulit ng inuulit (ang songs) pero binibigay lang nila yung kakayahan nila. Baka puwede nilang i-rap or lagyan ng beat. Nasa technique din ng gumagaya. Pero kaya nila ginagaya, universal kasi yung meaning ng song," Eric said.
Eric grew up in New York, USA, where he moved from the Philippines at age 13.
A distinguished son to Mang Levi, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Queens College (he’s a few units shy of a masters), Eric’s music background covers a wide range, from classical to pop and rock.
A working musician in New York City, he gigs at exclusive joints and other key places such as Waldorf Astoria, Pierre, Harvard Club, Ciprianni, Trump Plaza, and Central Park’s open-air gardens.
Much in demand for his sheer artistry and virtuosity in New York where he has made his mark, he also does back-up work for various artists, including entertainers Christina Aguillera, Lea Salonga, Nonoy Zuniga, Mike Hanopol, among others.
A multi-hyphenated musician (producer, sessionist, performer), Eric won the Carnegie Recital Hall Piano Competition in the late 70s Eric looks up to Art Tatum, Victor Borge, Bobby Enriquez and Chopin as his piano influences.
His guitar-playing is influenced by Frank Gambale, Ywie Malmsteen, and Al Dimeola. In wielding both piano and guitar, Eric has imbued his own, personal style marked by larger-than-life showmanship and humor that could be rowdy and recklessly irreverent.
Eric has to his credit three previous albums that capture his rare gift of music that he celebrates with zest in every performance. "Celerio by Celerio" is available on various music platforms.
When Eric was around 7 or 8 years old, he would learn the golden rules in music from his dad.
"Make the melody come out more than the accompaniment or feel the lyrics. Or don't show off the vocals and show off the meaning of the songs, which a lot of people don't do. They just keep showing what they know. Sabi ng tatay ko, sell the song not the voice," Eric said, when asked about his father's golden rules in music.
Of all the compositions of his dad, Eric said that he loves "Parang Maghapon Lamang." But now he likes "Kahit Konting Pagtingin."
"My favorite song is 'Parang Maghapon Lamang.' Hindi siya sikat. But lately, I appreciate 'Kahit Konting Pagtingin.' Naisip ko lang na halimbawa, yung tao may gusto sa'yo, you don't exaggerate that. Pero kapag gusto mo yung tao, kahit konting attention lang, you appreciate it. That's my interpretation," he said.
Eric said that he's grateful he grew up in an environment full of music.
"Walang nagmumura sa bahay namin. Puro music," he recalled.
Eric also said he is amazed at how his father could compose songs easily.
"Napakabilis niyang ginagawa yung mga songs. Two things. Minsan inspired siya. Then the other one, it's more of a job. Minsan bago maubos yung isang cigarette, tapos na yung isang composition niya. I saw that when I was young. I think there's a commercial side of Levi Celerio that comes easier. And there's a deep artistic side that we don't know. Kahit sa harap ng tao he writes. But he's a frustrated violinist," he added.
Eric also said that his father was very supportive of his children's dreams.
"He never encouraged his children to follow in his footsteps because he knew the music business was tough. Pero noong nakita niya 'yung talent ko, he was all out for it. He's very supportive," he said.
Asked about his thoughts on the OPM scene these days, Eric said: "It's almost getting better lately. Parang nakikita ko bumabalik...parang retro. At saka yung iba rowdy. They tell their feelings. Sinasabi nila yung feeling nila sa kanta, but they never worked on the talent part. So they just say anything they want. Ayoko nito, ayoko nito. For me, it's not a skill."