After close to 16 years, more than 40 original songs, and countless live performances, the members of Kiss The Bride are still making beautiful music together.

The brainchild of keyboardist/composer Tony Razon, acclaimed fusion guitarist Joey Puyat, and band manager Cecile Rodgers, Kiss the Bride has probably the best survival rate of any Filipino jazz fusion group. Notwithstanding the pandemic that pushed the ‘pause’ button on live gigs, Kiss the Bride has consistently been doing live performances and recordings since its inception in 2009.

Despite a revolving chair of musical personnel over the past years, Kiss The Bride’s current lineup includes Cecile Rodgers (synth), Otep Concepcion (drums/percs), Julius Lopez (bass), Stephen Lachica (bass), Fernando Mendoza (drums), Mel Torre and Arla Concepcion (vocals).

Defying jazz tradition, the band refuses to be typecast in the ‘smooth jazz’ mold, fusing their deft improvisational skills over a backdrop of blues, funk, Brazilian, Mediterranean and even pop/RnB influences.

Their latest labor of love, a Vinyl LP release featuring an eclectic mix of their rearranged originals, doubles as a timely homage to their former bandmate, friend, and percussionist, Uly Avante, who passed away in May 2017.

A consummate session musician whose discography reads like a who’s who of the local recording industry, Uly had already honed his chops in various fusion outfits (including Mother Earth, Hourglass and Phase Two) before he became a mainstay of the legendary Circus Band, and eventually became an indispensable ensemble player for the likes of top-caliber jazz performers such as Boy Katindig, Bong Peñera, Tadao Hayashi, Tots Tolentino, Rudy Lozano, among others.

Despite his jazz roots, Uly was equally adept playing pop gigs, earning his rep as a first-call session man for some of the country’s biggest pop icons such as Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez and Zsa Zsa Padilla, and even held his fort as resident percussionist of ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, ASAP, for many years.

Joey and Uly were long-time bandmates, starting from way back during their college years when they figured in many band settings together, and coming full circle as they rekindled their rare musical chemistry in Kiss The Bride.

“Uly added that special spark to the music that we constantly miss in our gigs. That he was a kind, funny, and true friend as well makes him even more irreplaceable. Uly was simply one of a kind,” Joey fondly reminisces.

Interestingly, the Kiss The Bride vinyl release (succinctly named ‘KTB’) is much more than just a repackaged collection.

Joey elaborates, “This endeavor is special as we pay tribute to Uly and his unique talent and expertise in percussion playing. I just felt that he had to be in it! So instead of getting someone else to play his parts, I decided that Uly’s previously recorded tracks would be used while updating the other instrumental tracks with fresh solos and tweaked arrangements to give the music a more contemporary feel.”

“Because the music of KTB is based on set patterns overlaid with jazz influenced improvisation, rearrangements of these tunes were needed to allow for fresh solos that would be different, but similar enough so that Uly’s original tracks could be retained in their original recorded form.”

The Vinyl LP release holds an even deeper significance as it reflects Joey and Uly’s shared passion for records.

He adds, “Because Uly and I were vinyl aficionados since our school days, it was easy to decide that a vinyl release would reflect our common musical passion. From a personal viewpoint, I have always loved the experience afforded by vinyl. The pleasure in the listening experience is heightened when our music is heard in this format—with real floor standing speakers instead of headphones, earplugs.”

The KTB LP is a self-produced album in collaboration with Backspacer Records and will be on a limited run of 150 copies. Distribution is exclusively done by Backspacer Records via their physical store and through their online website.

As part of their promotional efforts for the record, the band embarked on a limited bar tour, which kicked off last July 4 at Tago Jazz (Cubao, Quezon City), and which will have its second leg on July 18 at the 78-45-33 jazz bar in Salcedo Village (Makati City).

Looking ahead, Joey remains optimistic for the future of Kiss The Bride and their ever-growing audience.

He shares, “The band has evolved significantly since our early days in 2009 when we were playing purely original music. We feel the reason we are still here today is because we constantly and consciously adapt to the changing tides of music that influence the attitudes and taste of the listening public.”

“Our countless live performances in various venues have given us the opportunity to listen to our audience as much and as eagerly as we invite them into our own musical world.” (Contributed article by Tinnie Esguerra)