Chi Rho Omicron

Pilipino Americans have been involved in the Jazz industry for a long time and the brothers of Chi Rho Omicron feel that they deserve due recognition. And what better way to do that by giving them the biggest stage SF State has to offer and allowing them to do what they do best!

So, before you head into your final exams and whatnot, listen to the soothing sounds of these creative and talented artists we’ve compiled. Just imagine it…

LOGISTICS:

-When: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
-Time: 6pm-9pm
-Where: McKenna Theatre at SFSU (Bring your friends and family, venue seats 700 people)
-Price: FREE!!!
-NOT AN SFSU SPONSORED EVENT!

Even though the event is free, we will be holding an optional raffle with great prizes (later be named). ALSO, the funds raised from the raffle will go towards Philippine typhoon relief! So, buy a raffle ticket (or two) and support a great cause!

Sponsored by Folded, Inc. and Know Your Roots

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Little Brown Brother:

Members: (A quartet)
Ben Luis
Carlos Zialcita
Guitar: Chris Planas
Drums: Mike Fernando

Little Brown Brother was formed in the summer of 2006 by Ben Luis and Carlos Zialcita. It takes what both of them have been doing individually and collectively and creates a new package designed specifically for the Filipino audience. The nucleus of this ensemble is a quartet, with the addition of Chris Planas or guitar and Mike Fernando on drums. While the rich African-American traditions of jazz and blues remains at the core of what this group represents musically, there are many other influences that add flavor to the mix. There is a definite worldbeat texture and attitude to the music – borrowing from the indigenous Filipino music and instruments and the heavily Spanish influenced traditional Filipino music of the Philippines.

In addition, the band incorporates different elements of Latin music including latin jazz, salsa, boleros, and of course, a variety of Brazilian rhythms. In addition to regular performances throughout the Bay Area, Little Brown Brother has performed at a number of events in the Filipino community – including the Manilatown Heritage Foundation 1st Annual Banquet in 2007, the 87th Annual Dinner of Gran Oriente Filipino, the 2007 Pista Sa Nayon in Vallejo, the 2007 Bindlestiff Theatre Black and White BindleBall, and a benefit concert for Sugar Pie DeSanto held at The Manilatown Center in San Francisco. Little Brown Brother’s debut recording – “Soul Shadows” is now available on CD Baby, mail order and at performances. It will be available soon on iTunes, PinoyTunes, UbeTunes, and Amazon.

The origin of the term “Little Brown Brother” can be found here. To find out more about the Philippine-American War, check out the book, “Little Brown Brother”, by Leon Wolff, available at Amazon.com and Arkipelago Books.

Raquel Belind:

Raquel Berlind is from the neighborhood of San Juan (in Manila, the Philippines) and migrated to the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1990s. Along with her husband Alexey Berlind, she co-leads the band Boleros y Más. In the last few years, they have built a fine reputation and a loyal following, performing at local festivals, corporate events, and clubs. The Cuban influence in their music is undeniable, and with the help of the talented musicians in the band, Raquel’s award-winning voice is showcased beautifully. Her style is sultry, with a comfortable and elastic range that allows her to softly express boleros like Cómo Fué, or drive Cuban/salsa classics like Bilongo. Of special note to the Pinoy jazz audience is her own composition Soy Filipina.

Award-winning singer and composer Raquel Berlind has been performing with her band Bolero y Mas since the year 2000. That same year she won the Premio Ganador at the international Latin Music competition, La Festival de La Cancion, for her composition Mi Vida Contigo. In 2005 she returned to La Festival, winning the award for Best Performance and the Premio de Plata for composition for Cuando Te Vas, as well as an Honorable Mention for Puedes Hacer Todo. Raquel’s CD Soy Filipina was recorded in the SF Bay Area as well as Vera Cruz, Mexico, and offers Latin Rock and Pop, Salsa, Bolero, Timba and Danzon. The songs are primarily in Spanish, though two are in Tagalog. These beautiful arrangements feature some of the finest musicians of the genre, including her husband–percussionist, vocalist and co-producer Alexey Berlind.

Ms. Kayla Salminao: Biography coming soon!

Guest Appearances by:

AM Kidd:

Ghostride the bandwagon? Many Bay Area artists magnet towards “Hyphy” rather than establishing themselves without being trapped in the region’s sound, but AM Kidd, born in the Philippines , does not try to pigeonhole himself, with dreams that reach further than the stretches of the Bay’s area codes. While many fly by night rappers have turned “Thizz Faces” and “Scrapers” and other assorted Bay slanguage into clichés, watering down the sound that once seemed to exuberate freshness and swagger, AM (rooted in San Lorenzo, Newark, and now Vallejo) continues to push his envelope so he doesn’t bring the same song to the table (or the club). Producing all of his tracks from “Bay Wit It” to “Stunna Girl,” the beats knock first and foremost, with catchy choruses that take his music outside of just “going dumb.” Although people expected AM to keep coming with a Bay Area club sound, he has broadened his dream, creating his own style that caters to a national audience, using his gifts behind the boards to create music that audiences from every region can vibe with, even going outside of his image, showing a more personal side with tracks like “If Daddy Was Home.”

More Guest Appearance to be confirmed!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jeremy Jocson, Co-Cultural Chair: 707-373-9076 or jremyallday@yahoo.com

Mike Terrado, President: 510-861-1063 or MikeTerrado@yahoo.com

Kevin Bernardino, Cultural Chair: 650-580-4695 or kevin26@sbcglobal.net