Tots Tolentino

Tots Tolentino[1][2] (born on July 2, 1959) is a jazz musician from the Philippines.

Tots Tolentino
Birth nameMario Martin Allid Tolentino
Born (1959-07-02) July 2, 1959
Genresjazz, pop
Occupation(s)Musical artist, session musician, arranger
Instrument(s)saxophone (tenor, alto, and soprano sax), flute, clarinet, penny whistle
Years active1984-present
Labels
Nationality Philippines
EducationMagna cum laude - Berklee College of Music
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines and Berklee College of Music
OccupationEducator in university
EmployerUniversity of Santo Tomas
OrganizationAsosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (AMP)
RelativesSen. Arturo Tolentino (grandfather)

Biography

Tots Tolentino's interest in jazz began at age 16 upon hearing recordings by Charlie Parker.[3] In 1977, he enrolled at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music where he studied flute under Prof. Eric Barcelo and played with the U.P. Jazz Ensemble, switching to saxophone. He afterwards enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, under the tutelage of Joseph "Joe" Viola[4] where he graduated magna cum laude in 1982.[5] His professional career as a first-call session musician in the Philippine recording industry[6][7] culminated in his own first album in 1990.[8]

Albums

Tots Tolentino has five solo albums to date, namely the self-titled Tots Tolentino[8] (1990) and Inah[9] (1991), both under Blackgold Records; and Color Real[10] (1993) with Dypro Records. In 2012 he released a Christmas album entitled Tots Tolentino Plays Vehnee Saturno Christmas Songs[11]. In 2015, he released another Christmas album under the Jesuit Communications Foundation, called God Rest Ye! (Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino).[12]

Bands

In the early 90s, Tots Tolentino fronted the group Buhay,[13][14] a band composed of Pinoy jazz musicians Wowee Posadas (keyboards), Mar Dizon[15] (drums), Meong Pacana (bass), and Tots Tolentino.[16]

In the mid-1990s, he was in invited by the famed trumpeter Terumasa Hino[17] to join the Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet,[18][19] a jazz group featuring four of Asia's prominent jazz musicians, namely pianist/organist Jeremy Monteiro from Singapore, guitarist Eugene Pao from Hong Kong, drummer Hong Chanutr Techatana-nan[20] from Thailand, and saxophonist Tots Tolentino from the Philippines.

Tots joined Johnny Alegre AFFINITY in 2002, a Manila-based jazz group with frontman Johnny Alegre (guitar), Colby de la Calzada (contrabass), Elhmir Saison (piano), and Koko Bermejo (drums). Johnny Alegre AFFINITY released several albums and had been nominated for awards.

He was one of the founders and principal soloists of a large ensemble called The AMP Band,[21] consisting of members from the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino,[22][23] hence its name.

Adobo Jazz

Tolentino participated in ensembles featured in the Adobo Jazz series of Pinoy Jazz anthology albums.

  • Bobby Enriquez All-Star Band, featuring Bobby Enriquez (piano) Emil Mijares (vibraphone) Nestor Gonzaga (trumpet) Abel Valdevia (alto sax) Tots Tolentino (tenor sax) Pikoy Villapando (baritone sax) Narding Sanchez (trombone) Roger Herrera (bass) Tony Velarde (drums) Nick Boogie (percussion)
  • Johnny Alegre AFFINITY, featuring Johnny Alegre (guitar), Tots Tolentino (alto sax), Elhmir Saison (piano), Colby dela Calzada (bass), and Koko Bermejo (drums)
  • Monk's Jazz Bureau, featuring Terry Undag (trumpet), Tots Tolentino (alto sax), Marc Lopez (piano), Colby dela Calzada (bass), and George San Jose (drums)
  • ETS Band, featuring Elhmir Saison (keyboards), Tots Tolentino (clarinet), Janno Queyquep (guitar), Noel Asistores (bass), Mar Dizon (drums), and Wilson Matias (2nd keyboards)

Advocacy

Tots Tolentino helped organize the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (trans: Association of Filipino Musicians).[22] to professionalize Filipino musicians wages, contracts and render financial assistance, legal counsel and coordination with government agencies.

Academe

Tots joined the faculty of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music (UST Music)[24] and is presently the head of its Jazz Studies program[25] and the conductor of the UST Jazz Ensemble.[26][27] The Filipino Music Art Collective[28] lists Tots Tolentino as one of their mentors.


Discography

Solo albums
Year Album Title Artist Label Catalog/Barcode Genre Format
1990 Tots Tolentino[29] Tots Tolentino Blackgold Records BA-5166 Crossover Jazz LP
1991 Inah Tots Tolentino Blackgold Records KBA-5203 Crossover Jazz Cassette
1993 Color Real Tots Tolentino Dypro Records 86/91 Pop/Rock CD
2012 Tots Tolentino Plays Vehnee Saturno Christmas Songs Tots Tolentino Saturno Records Christmas CD
2015 God Rest Ye! (Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino)[30] Tots Tolentino Jesuit Communications Foundation Christmas CD

Compilation albums
Year Single/Album Artist Label Catalog/Barcode Genre Format
2002 Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist, Vol. 1 (two recordings with two different bands) Johnny Alegre AFFINITY

Monk's Jazz Bureau

 IndiRa Records Jazz Compilation CD
2002 Adobo Jazz, Vol. 2 The Bobby Enriquez All-Star Band IndiRa Records Jazz Compilation CD
2012 A Bossa Nova Love Affair[31][32] Various Artists Candid Records CCD 71805 Jazz Compilation CD
2019 Adobo Jazz: Filipino Jazz Music of Our Time, Vol. 1 ETS Band Bowfinger Records Jazz Compilation CD

Group albums
Year Album Title Artist Label Catalog/Barcode Genre Format
2000 Inner Country[33][34][35][36][37] Bob Aves Group BMG World Jazz CD
2005 Johnny Alegre AFFINITY[38] Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Candid Records Philippines CAN-KC-5001 Jazz CD
2005 Jazzhound[39] Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Candid Records CCD 79842 Jazz CD
2007 Eastern Skies[40] Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Candid Records Philippines CAN-KC-5006 Jazz CD
2011 Live At The Living Room Jazz Festival, Bangkok[41] Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet Jazznote Records Jazz CD
2014 Stories Johnny Alegre AFFINITY MCA Music (Philippines) UPC:00602537694600 Jazz CD
2022 Johnny Alegre AFFINITY[42][43] Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Backspacer Records JAA-001-BR Jazz Vinyl

Session work
Year Single/Album Artist Label Catalog/Barcode Genre Format
1976 Pamasko[44][45] The New Minstrels RJV Records R-5001 Christmas LP
1990 Thaddea[32] Rudy Lozano Ivory Records 463 Jazz Cassette
1991 A New Start[32] Martin Nievera Dyna Music Easy Listening CD
1994 Roads[32] Martin Nievera Polycosmic Records DST-92-243 Easy Listening CD
1996 Another Chance[32] Janno Gibbs Polycosmic Records 92-264 Pop/Rock CD
1998 In Love[32] Lea Salonga BMG 1 Vocal CD
1999 Aawitan Ko Na Lang[32] Ariel Rivera Musiko 117 Pop/Rock CD
1999 Forever, Forever[32] Martin Nievera EMI / PolyEast Records 547619 Easy Listening CD
1999 Louie O.[32] Louie Ocampo Musiko / BMG MRMC 128 New Age CD
1999 Papa's Bag[32] Menchu Apostol Viva Records 99045 Pop/Rock CD
2000 By Heart[32] Lea Salonga BMG 9 Easy Listening CD
2000 Jazz in Time[32] Richard Merk Star Records 11-27006-4 Jazz CD
2000 Revive (Bonus Disc)[32] Gary Valenciano Universal Records Philippines 41221 Religious CD
2000 Servant of All[32] Various artists Viva Records 0000125 Pop/Rock Compilation CD
2000 Show Me The Way[32] Chad Borja Warner Music Philippines Pop/Rock Digital Media
2000 Simply ... Rex[32] Rex Smith MCA 59721 Pop/Rock CD
2000 The Disco Project[32] Passage Neo Musiq 2000006 Pop/Rock CD
2001 At The Movies[32] Ivy Violan Viva Records 2001-02 Pop/Rock CD
2001 My Souvenirs[32] Martin Nievera EMI / PolyEast Records 016145 Easy Listening CD
2001 Oras[32] Rannie Raymundo Neo Musiq NR-CAS-01-028 Pop/Rock CD
2001 Soulitude[46][47][32] Mon David Easy Listening CD
2003 Beyond Words[48]Track 10: Until Then Gary Valenciano Universal Records Philippines 669910560853 CD and Digital Media
2003 ... Miracle / Giliw[32] Martin Nievera Vicor Music 117 Easy Listening CD
2004 Best Wishes: A Wedding Songs Collection[32] Martin Nievera EMI / PolyEast Records 578510 Easy Listening CD
2004 Thor Thor Evolution Music / Warner Music Philippines R&B CD
2004 Once in a Lifetime Freestyle Viva Records VR CDS 04 137 Pop CD
2005 When Love Is Gone[32] Martin Nievera EMI / PolyEast Records 34645 Easy Listening CD
2005 Life and Time Mon David Candid Records Philippines CAN-KC-7001 Vocal Jazz CD
2006 My One and Only Love[46] Mon David Candid Records Philippines Vocal Jazz CD
2007 Milestones[32] Martin Nievera EMI 09291 Easy Listening CD
2008 Angelsong[49] Aya Yuson Candid Records Philippines Jazz CD
2012 Stranger on the Shore[50][51] Mishka Adams Candid Records CCD 79858 Jazz CD

Awards
Year Award Category Work Artist/s or Group Result
1991 4th Awit Awards Gold Record Award Tots Tolentino (self-titled album) Tots Tolentino Won
1991 4th Awit Awards Best Jazz Recording Inah Tots Tolentino Won
1992 5th Awit Awards Best Jazz Instrumental Recording[52] Inah Tots Tolentino Won
2003 15th Awit Awards Best Jazz Instrumental Recording[52] Kalabukab Buhay (Wowee Posadas (keyboards), Mar Dizon (drums), Meong Pacana (bass), and Tots Tolentino (saxophone) Won
2005 18th Aliw Awards Best Instrumental Artist Tots Tolentino (saxophone) Nominated
2005 18th Awit Awards Best Jazz Album Johnny Alegre AFFINITY (self-titled album) Johnny Alegre AFFINITY Nominated
2008 21st Aliw Awards Best Major Concert[53][54] Love's What Matters Most (Valentine Concert) John Lesaca (violin), Tots Tolentino (saxophone), and Noelle Cassandra (harp) Nominated
2008 21st Aliw Awards Best Instrumentalist[53][54] Tots Tolentino (saxophone) Nominated
2016 29th Awit Awards Best Jazz Recording The Christ Child composer: Marlene del Rosario / instrumentalist: Tots Tolentino Nominated

References
  1. "Tots Tolentino". www.pmauriatmusic.com. p. 112.
  2. The Philippines Yearbook. Fookien Times. 2005. p. 87.
  3. "Biography of Tots Tolentino" (PDF). Cultural Center of the Philippines. 2017-10-01.
  4. "Joseph Viola". Berklee Press.
  5. Quirino, Richie C. (2008). Mabuhay Jazz: Jazz in Postwar Philippines. Anvil. ISBN 978-971-27-2067-3. OCLC 312682998.
  6. Shepherd, John (2003). Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World, Volume II: Performance and Production. A&C Black. ISBN 978-0-8264-6322-7.
  7. CCP encyclopedia of Philippine art. Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. p. 68. ISBN 971-8546-23-5. OCLC 31991787.
  8. Tots Tolentino - Tots Tolentino | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  9. Inah - Tots Tolentino | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  10. Color Real - Tots Tolentino | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  11. Tots Tolentino Plays Vehnee Saturno Christmas Songs by Tots Tolentino on iTunes
  12. "JesCom Philippines | God Rest Ye: Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino". JesCom Philippines. 2019-01-22.
  13. "Buhay biography". Last.fm.
  14. Everything Cebu (2012-10-05). "Jazz n' Bluz". Everything Cebu.
  15. "Mar Dizon". zildjian.com.
  16. Quirino, Richie C. (2004). Pinoy jazz traditions. Published and exclusively distributed by Anvil. OCLC 680447848.
  17. "Terumasa Hino | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  18. "Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet". Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet | Artist | Bandwagon | Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia.
  19. "The Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet on Apple Music".
  20. "Hong Chanutr Techatananan". Tidal.
  21. Yuson, Aya (16 February 2011). "Jazz in the 3rd World". GMA News Online.
  22. "Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino – Official website of the Musicians Association of the Philippines".
  23. "Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (Association of Filipino Musicians)". ASEF culture360.
  24. "University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music". UST Conservatory of Music.
  25. "Tots Tolentino". www.pmauriatmusic.com.
  26. "Agimat : Music - In a Merry Mood: From Classical to Jazz". www.agimat.net.
  27. "CCP holds the 1st Philippine International Guitar Festival". Philstar.com.
  28. "Mentors | Filipino Music Art Collective". FMAC Music Workshop.
  29. Tots Tolentino – Tots Tolentino (Vinyl), 1990
  30. "God Rest Ye: Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino – JesCom Philippines". 22 January 2019.
  31. A Bossa Nova Love Affair - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  32. "Tots Tolentino | Credits". AllMusic.
  33. Quirino, Richie C. "Bob Aves: Bob Files". www.gracenono.com.
  34. Gonzales, David (2000-06-17). Billboard - Global Music Pulse: The Latest Music News from Around the Planet. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 73.
  35. Filipinas Magazine. Filipinas Pub. 2001. p. 46.
  36. "Exploring the 'inner country'". Philstar.com.
  37. Inner Country - Bob Aves | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  38. Johnny Alegre – Affinity (2005, CD), archived from the original on 2021-05-02
  39. Johnny Alegre Affinity - Jazzhound | daddykool
  40. Johnny Alegre – Eastern Skies (2007, CD), 2007
  41. Patterson, Ian (2011-11-11). "Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet: Live at the Living Room Jazz Festival, Bangkok album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz.
  42. "Jazz masterpiece 'Affinity' by Johnny Alegre out on vinyl this October 2". ABS-CBN News.
  43. "On Vinyl, "Affinity" is a Sonic Masterpiece". ourbrew.ph. 16 October 2022.
  44. "Filipinas Heritage Library | Biblio". www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph.
  45. The New Minstrels – Pamasko (1976, Vinyl), 1978
  46. Balasbas-Gancayco, Dot Ramos. "Mon David: Music is the air I breathe". Philstar.com.
  47. Nepales, Ruben V. (2012-09-07). "Mon David dazzles in latest album". INQUIRER.net.
  48. "Release "Beyond Words" by Gary Valenciano - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org.
  49. Magno, Alexander T. (2008-09-15). "Jazz guitarist Aya Yuson makes songwriting debut in 2nd LP". GMA News.
  50. Mishka Adams - Stranger on the Shore | AllMusic
  51. Arcellana, Juaniyo. "Stranger shores". www.philstar.com.
  52. "Viva - Awit Awards". studylib.net. p. 25.
  53. "21st Aliw Awards releases list of nominees for best performances". PEP.ph.
  54. "21st Annual Aliw Awards List of Nominees - Aliw Awards 2008". Pinoy Teens. 2008-10-11.


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