Quintessence and all that jazz

MANILA, Philippines - Jazz collective Quintessence’s frontwoman Maritess Salientes came home in 2005 for good after spending over 30 years in the US. The homecoming also brought Maritess back to her first love — music.

That return to her musical roots was prompted by an invitation to perform in a reunion concert, organized by no less than her professor, the legendary Carmencita Arambulo. It was a star-studded concert that opened the chance to do more music ventures.

Maritess says, “Since then, I got into writing pop songs, jingles, film music and a jazz symphony for Jose Rizal’s 150th anniversary.” Through that jazz ensemble, she met the future members of Quintessence. It did not take long for the guys to say yes.

Now, with Maritess at the helm, Quintessence is made up of drummer Jorge San Jose, a founding member of the Ugoy-Ugoy jazz band; Michael Guevarra on sax; Simon Tan on bass; and Uly Avante on percussion. Maritess is the group’s keyboardist, arranger and composer.

“Why a small group to begin with? Because there is freedom of expression. Jazz allows us improvisation. Other genres do not even allow that. The guys are so professional and so good at what they do that I am proud to say this is my dream team,” she says.

All of the band members agree that jamming with Maritess for the first time was a breeze. Michael says, “Our first session was very organized. All our pieces were highlighted. We only had to follow her map.”

She knows whereof she speaks. She earned her Composition degree (magna cum laude) from no less than the Berklee College of Music and taught there for a time while leading a fusion band with Grammy-winning guitarist Bill Frisell.

The musical adventure did not last long. Soon, she went corporate. When she came back to the country, she still tackled corporate sales and marketing and realized how the music world has changed.

“I studied digital music under Jimmy Antiporda as writing songs now is so different from how it was. At that point, I knew there was no turning back,” she relates.

With Quintessence, Maritess has sprung back to the music world via a coming-out gig at Skarlet’s Jazz Kitchen recently. The band’s selection is composed of jazzed-up classics done in its inimitable style.

“Most of our numbers are standard jazz, tributes to the jazz greats, even Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder and the Beatles. We do not compromise jazz. It may be a bit self-indulgent but it’s all good music. Who wouldn’t have fun with that? Audiences will find something familiar in our sound,” she states.

As for plans for an album, she has this to say: “Well, to coin the Carpenters, we’ve only just begun.”

Catch Quintessence on Oct. 5 at 9 p.m. at Seventh High, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City.