Groovin' High by Boy Katindig

Philippine born Jazz Pianist and International Recording Artist Boy Katindig, comes from a well-known clan of musicians who pioneered Latin jazz in Manila. His father is Philippines' jazz legend, Romy Katindig.

After playing with a host of successful bands in Manila like "Bits & Pieces" & the legendary "Circus", Boy formed the "Boy Katindig Band" in 1978,

In 1978, Boy signed up with A&W Records International and recorded several albums under the Horizon label. " Midnight Lady", his first album was awarded "Best Instrumental Composition" by the Himig Awards and Gold for the single which preceded it "Don't Ask My Neighbor". The album was released in the U.S. by PAUSA, who had smooth jazz pioneers Tom Grant & Alphonse Mouzon in its artist roster. "Aftermidnight" followed and then "Love Fusion". The album garnered awards for "Best Jazz Instrumental" &" Best Performance in a Jazz Composition" for "Its Still September" from the Cecil Music Awards Foundation. His vocal composition, "Capture The Changes" featured in a single by Horizon was awarded "Best Vocal Jazz Composition". The "Boy Katindig Band" which spawned out of the 'Midnight Lady" release, was also voted Best Jazz Group by the Aliw Awards Foundation consecutively for three years.

In My Inner Fantasies featured his top selling double platinum vocal hit "I Will Always Stay In Love This Way". Consistent airplay plus a series of successful concerts throughout Manila and neighboring cities followed each album release, making Boy's name synonymous to contemporary jazz and as its main exponent from the Philippines. One significant event was a sold out concert with Japanese jazz harpist, "Tadao Hayashi" at the famous "big dome", the Araneta Coliseum, where events such as the Ali-Frazier "Thrilla' In Manila" took place.

Boy finally overcame the obstacles which often befall the progeny of many recording artists and, in the interim, established a key element in ensuring professional survival: his identity. The keyboardist/composer has certainly carved out his own. With his father moving to the U.S. and dreams of performing his music to a wider jazz audience, Boy finally made Los Angeles California his home.

In 1986, after performances in Southeast Asia, (the last of which was with Shakuhachi flutist John Kaizan Neptune at the Pyramid Theater in Kuala Lumpur) realizing the need for growth and international acceptance, Boy decided to move to the United States, the homeland of his craft. At that time, KKGO of Los Angeles and KBLX of San Francisco were two of the main jazz stations playing his albums.

After concerts in both cities, four years later in 1990, he produced and recorded his first U.S. album, together with jazz greats, Gerald Albright, Abraham Laboriel, Brandon Fields, Russ Freeman (Rippingtons) and Phil Upchurch to name a few

Boy's performances led him to Hawaii where he met saxophonist Michael Paulo, famous for his stints with Al Jarreau, Kalapana, James Ingram, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin and mutual friend, David Benoit. Michael, who was looking out for artists for his record company, Noteworthy Records, took a notice of Boy's indie release "Journey To Love", signed him up and produced his self-titled CD release in 1995. Being artists in the same label, performances around Los Angeles followed with Boy joining the Michael Paulo Band featuring Seawind's Pauline Wilson. Most significant of these performances was at the Japan American Theater and at 94.7 The Wave Ala Carte, which featured artists like Branford Marsalis, Jeff Lorber, Tom Scott, Peter White and Rick Braun.

His band in Hawaii," Boy Katindig & Friends" in association with CD 101.9 Jazz of Hawaii, performed to packed and enthusiastic audiences in Oahu's premier nightspots.

Puerto Princessa, one of the tracks from his Noteworthy release was featured in Jazziz Magazine's CD compilation for May 1995 together with Spyro Gyra's "Lost and Found", Joe Farrell's "Mode for Joe", Dori Caymmi's "Irresistible", Bill Evans' "London House" and Joe Lovano & Gunther Schuller's "Rush Hour on 23rd Street.

National jazz stations that have Boy's music in their playlist are CD 101.9 of New York, CD 101.9 Hawaii, Hartford, CT., 106.5 Smooth Jazz St Louis, KNUR of Redlands, CA., KUNV of Las Vegas (Pamela's Place), in the net; Just Right Jazz (Live365.com), KIPO Jazz 89.3 FMin Hawaii & Japan Jazz Radio.

Catch Boy Katindig on tour please check out www.myspace.com/boykatindig and subscribe to performancenewsletter@boykatindig.com.

Average Customer Review: 5