Nights of Wine and Roses

It has been nights of wine and roses at the ongoing "French Spring" with cocktails preceding the concerts and bouquets presented to world-class artists by French Ambassador Renée Veyret after their performances.

The launching of "Filipina", the coffee-table book published by SOS President Paul-Louis Heussaff, had songs, dances and a fashion show celebrating the Filipina.

Both the film and jazz festivals drew crowds each night. Playing for the Jewelmer Band were Jun Cadiz (piano), Aving Lavapiz (bass), Rolly Rodriguez (baritone sax), Michael Guevara (alto sax), Armando Valmonte (trumpet and vibraphone) and Ronnie Marquesses (trombone). Likewise regaling jazz fans was the Subconcept band composed of 16-year- old head Jacques Christophe Branellec (sax), Francis Magat (bass), Nikko Rivera (keyboard), Daniel Crisostomo (guitar) and Rey Vinora (drums).

Last June 19, eleven jazz bands lighted or heated up Eastwood stages with 120 players perking up audiences with jazz or rock at Fete de la Musique. That meant much more than nights of wine and roses.