Local musical heroes The Brass Munkeys have played some swanky gigs. But they’ve never played for a king before — until now. One of the headline acts of Thailand’s Hua Hin Jazz Festival, to be held in the royal province of Thailand from June 18 to 20, The Brass Munkeys will bring their collective big band swing to a festival that also includes US guitarist Lee Ritenour and Japanese band Moon.
Going for the brass ring, the band — a crew consisting of Jayman Alviar (drums), Marc Steady (vocalist), Lakshmi Ramirez (upright bass) Gilbert Francisco (baritone saxophone), Lowell Lalic (trumpet), Archie Lacorte (alto saxophone), Leo Emnil (tenor saxophone), Joseph Tadeo (trombone) and John Casey Santos (guitar) — will perform on two nights at two venues in Hua Hin, home to the royal family of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, two hours south of Bangkok: The Beach Stage (which drummer Alviar describes as “really fun, the crowd on the beach is massive, about 2,000 people”) and the Jazz Royale Stage the following night.
Known for their animated onstage performances, the band has a steady local following since its formation in 2002. “Our music has been classified as blues, jump swing, even boogie,” says Alviar. Running the range of Harry Connick Jr. numbers to the Royal Crown Review, the band also cites British punk, jazz and swing music from the ’30s to ’40s as inspirations; their live act is energetic, almost athletic, and sometimes comical, whether doing originals or fun covers of Sinatra tunes.
The Brass Munkeys played the Thailand jazz festival last year, but this is the first time they will perform for the King, who is a noted jazz fan — and saxophone player. “He’s a jazzer himself,” notes Jay, who heard that every major city in Thailand has a music studio run by the King’s foundation. “Parang New Orleans, every corner there’s someone playing. The jazz scene is sophisticated there. They’re deep.”
It’s a great environment to bring The Brass Munkeys’ sound, which is always crowd-pleasing, yet rock-solid in the chops department.
“They really take care of their own there,” says Alviar, noting the government-sponsored jazz fest always treats local acts — as well as visiting musicians — with great care and respect. He laments that local festivals tend to focus too much on foreign acts, downplaying local talent. No wonder The Brass Munkeys have to head overseas once in a while to get a royal welcome.
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For information about the Hua Hin Jazz Festival or Brass Munkeys, visit their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pages/The-Brass-Munkeys/39047519700) or Apple Sumanasiri at Facebook.