“The vibrations on the air are the breath of God speaking to man’s soul. Music is the language of God. We musicians are as close to God as man can be. We hear his voice, we read his lips, we give birth to the children of God, who sing his praise. That’s what musicians are.” – Ludwig van Beethoven
HOLLYWOOD—On August 9, Mon David opened up his show at the Catalina Jazz Bar and Grill with a special aura.
It was as if he was on top of a mountain summit, overlooking the grandeur of God’s creations and watching the sunset colors of orange and yellow gold for the evening.
“I lead a very privileged existence, surrounded by friends, colleagues, family. I am grateful for [you] coming out and [me] performing in front of the live audience,” he said.
Midway in the program, his children, Nicole and Carlo (who just flew in from the Philippines), joined him in scatting Moanin.
It was perhaps one of the best that night. The audience raved at the trio’s performance. Mon has clearly mentored his kids well. Jazz music has become his legacy to them, taking them to different parts of the world. Mon and his children are not just singers — they are also composers, instrumentalists and arrangers.
Onstage, Mon was both reflective and appreciative, singing every note and every word as if they were his last, perhaps reflecting on the very untimely death of his musician friend, Zane Musa.
He culled some of the words and thoughts from the compilation which resonated with him:
“As long as there’s a song to sing, I’ll stay younger than spring.”
“If I ruled the world, every man would be as free as a bird.”
“Even the stars when they glow in the night, say thanks to you, our Divine.”
“Our seeds will scatter far and wide, across God’s fertile countryside.”
Zane Musa was a most celebrated saxophonist. His genius was appreciated by the likes of Arturo Sandoval and the close-knit jazz community. He played three songs from Mon’s CD, This is All I Ask (“Gratitude”, “Conviction” and “Love Abounds”).
In his groove, ruling the stage
“If I ruled the world every man will sing/everyone is his friend/everyone would say the world is his friend,” Mon gives the audience his all and they respond.
“We all enjoyed the sounds and acoustics and of course, the ‘interplay’ and the audience’s warm reception. I felt each one of them really listening and feeling each note…each note. Many of those who came to me were crying as we hugged and some couldn’t even talk sa sobrang tuwa at pagka-overwhelmed sa music.., the words..messages and that really fulfills me – when I see and feel that. I am connecting through the songs that I choose to express my visions and views,” Mon said.
Why this fusion number? Ala Thelonious Monk with Pinoy Touch?, I asked.
“That piece is called “Moanin,” a classic jazzy gospel blues tune written by Bobby Timmons with lyrics by Jon Hendricks.
“Jon is considered the father of ‘vocalese’ – the art of putting words to pieces originally written as instrumental pieces for sax, piano, etc. (which inspired me to write Filipino words for the Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker tunes),” Mon shared.
“These have become favorite jam pieces among jazz players because of the challenging lines, notes, phrasings. Itong dalawa [Nicole and Carlo] nag-eenjoy mag-improvise at mag-scat over chord changes! Nakakatuwa na patuloy ang kanilang pag-e-evolve at pag-expand sa kanilang repertoire! I’m happy and fulfilled with what happened at Catalina’s,” he added.
Mon expressed pride at his children’s accelerated growth as artists and musicians
Mon paid tribute to the great musicians who agreed to join him: Theo Sanders, Trevor Ware, Abe Lagrimas, Jr., Chuck Manning (who is a scientist by day and everybody’s musical coach by night), Tateng Katindig, and Nolan Shaheed.
What about your collaborations with Theo Sanders?, I asked.
“I’m enriched by my collaborations with Theo. He is quite serious about his dedication to the jazz tradition in the way he composes his music. To me, he is one of the most ‘tasteful’ improvisers on the piano and a great accompanist as well…the ‘merger’ Monk and Parker tunes were “Straight No Chaser” and “Billie’s Bounce” and like “Moanin,” they’re both fave jam pieces. I came up with Pinoy words for “Straight”…ganyan ba talaga? Ganyan nga ba ang buhay? Masalimuot [ang] mga problema, nakakalito! Hirap maintindihan..nakakahilo, nakakabato! Ingat lang pare ko, huwag kang magpapatalo sa ikot ng mundo, ganyan ang buhay!
And for “Billie’s”..kailan mo pa kaya uumpisahan, kailan ba, kailan pa? Huwag mo nang ipagpaliban! Puro bukas na lang, ay naku puro bukas na lang pag lagi kang ganyan walang pupuntahan kailan man, tandaan! (kung baga po, yung ‘manyana’ habit), ” Mon continued.
More than a record label
Along with Mon, composer-singer Cathy Segal-Garcia, created the record label, Human Connection.
But it has become more than that. It is also a collaborative space, where positive synergies of thoughtful musicians with a purpose converge.
At a benefit show for The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention (which was co-hosted by Bill A. Jones and Martha Taylor LaCroix) on September 19, over 80 folks watched a short video tribute to Zane Musa and his brother, Chance Taylor, who was a renowned artist in tap dancing.
Cathy and Mon joined 18 other jazz singers with a three-person band: Steve Rawlins on piano, Tome Bowe on drums with Mark Massey as musical director.
Along with Mary Wilson and Joan Ryan, Mon gave a riveting rendition of “Sack Full of Dreams”. Before doing his number, he spoke a few lines from the poetry of 14-year-old Matthew Stepanek — a peacemaker and a poet, who passed away five years ago.
You want to pluck out this special cluster of masterful performers. Outside, three sets of fans stopped to congratulate Mon.
Cathy sang her own composition, “What Are We Gonna Do?”
One verse particularly resonated with me: “When life starts to decline, and throws us a curve/And makes us go blind…/Got to find the right door to open our hearts, and help us stay kind!”
The music video, “I Need You to Survive” featured the “We Care” Community Choir. Nolan Shaheed engineered the sounds, while conducted by HB Barnum (currently on tour with Aretha Franklin), directed by Marc Saltarelli and Instrumental Track created by Richard Turner, Jr.
This writer got a preview of the music video, “I Need You To Survive” — a song extending a message hope to those contemplating suicide.
The video featured the We Care Community Choir. It was created by Richard Turner, Jr., conducted by HB Barnum and directed by Marc Saltarelli with sound engineering provided by Nolan Shaheed.
It was a touching evening. The audience was teary-eyed when Becky Musa, mother of Zane and Chance, spoke about her sons, who took their own lives.
“I miss them very badly, they were gone way too soon [but I am] glad people know what they have done,” she said.
Mon reminds us how life is so fragile and that life should be lived. Human Connection, with its first CD, All I Ask, has stirred souls and hopefully, would heal the wounded hearts of those who have tragically lost a loved one from suicide.