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Press release, July 28, 2007
Rod Garcia Band
August 18, 2007 at American Legion 8:30 p.m.
Inspiring original music...

Back from a successful concert tour of Honolulu, Manila and Bohol...

August 18 at the American Legion Hall
3445 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Rod and his band played last June 15 to a large appreciative crowd at the Magnet Bar along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City here in the Philippines.

The show opened with the song “Nightingale” and this was followed by several Tagalog duets with daughter, Jitter. As the band warmed up to several acoustic pieces with 11-year old son, Rocky, at the sax, we warmed up to cold bottles of San Mig Lite and Coke Lite. Other talented members are Matt Magnaye on alto sax, Eric Champaloux on electric guitar, Russ Arlotta on violin/acoustic guitar, Martin Magnaye on bass, and Vince Magno on drums.

Before moving on to Rod’s English compositions, the band performed the lively “Luto Linis Laba.” This song as well as several other pieces sounded like “Gary Granada” compositions with nice melody, catchy and meaningful lyrics interspersed with jazzy sax bits. Other songs in the all-original repertoire include: Sorbetero, Nasaan, Sana, Sinagtala, Panaginip Ko, Fly Dragonfly, Long Day Short Night, Summer Girl, and I’m LikeYou . All in all, the band played sixteen songs, ending with the beginning – Nightingale.

As Rod sang, you had to say the guy is a pro. Boy, can he carry a tune, with the Manila crowd impressed by the performance.

by Tito Caoile

Manila, June 15, 2007

MagNet press release, May 23, 2007

MagNet to Feature Rod Garcia Band June 15 with T.V. Coverage

FilAm author, composer/singer-songwriter/lawyer Rod Garcia and his traveling U.S.- based band will be performing at the MagNet Katipunan on Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. as part of a concert tour that includes venues in Honolulu, Manila, and Bohol. The Rod Garcia Band recently finished a CD of Rod's songs called "The Right Time" -- unique and original music that's been hailed in the Washington D.C. area. Among those who have praised Rod's music is former Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Alberto del Rosario, who said in his official farewell address in Washington, "I aspire to the musical genius of Rod Garcia." Even the popular rock band, The Speaks, declared to Rod and his band, "Love your music!"

The Rod Garcia Band has an 11-year old sax player; an 18 year-old high school musician-of-the- year; a beautiful young singer who has starred in the Kennedy Center; a couple of veteran musicians –including Rod Garcia himself on vocals and guitar. After the band's recent performance at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, organizer Nilda Godwin said the employees called the performance "spectacular and magnificent..." Other gigs have resulted in similar reviews, such as that by Asian Fortune, "A group of incredibly talented musicians... " and by Manila Mail , "Rod's thoughtful lyrics and melodic harmonies combined to create an evening of warmth, good spirits and great music."

Washington D.C. musical impresario Robert Dizon (On-Stage Productions which co-produced a successful US concert by APO Hiking Society), stated after Rod's gig at a local supper club, "I'm impressed! "

Appearing with Rod Garcia are: Russ Arlotta (violin, guitar); Jitter Garcia (vocals), Matt Magnaye (alto/soprano sax), Eric Champaloux (guitar), Martin Magnaye (bass), Vince Magno (drums), and Rocky Garcia (alto sax).

The new CDs will be on sale at the MagNet, and television personality Chiqui Roa will cover the concert for her show. A few years ago, Rod Garcia gave a reading at The MagNet of his book, "The Right Place and Other Stories," and last January 2006, Rod and his two children made a last minute appearance for a short but well-attended gig.

Other venues in the tour include Bikini Cantina (Aloha Towers Marketplace Dr. ) in Honolulu, Pearl Manila Hotel (Ermita) and Amarito Resort in Bohol.

Rod's Spring Gig

April 14 at 8 p.m.
RENE’S SUPPER CLUB
3251 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Va.

General admission: $15 (includes one drink)

"Love your music!"
--- The Speaks

"Rod’s thoughtful lyrics and melodic harmonies …
create an evening of warmth, good spirits and great music…”
--- Rose Lally (Manila Mail)

I aspire to the musical genius of Rod Garcia."
--- Ambassador Alberto Del Rosario,Jr.
Farewell Address July 7, 2006
J.W. Marriott, Washington D.C.

“…a group of incredibly talented …musicians…
--- Asian Fortune

Many have commented on a sketch of Rod by Mya Talavera. Here are just a few of them:

Rod, good luck on this and your other 2007 ventures. Perhaps we’ll make one of your performances. I like the sketch very much. It does you justice. --- Joe Lustig

Again, thanks my friend. Btw, who did your sketch? The likeness was really uncanny.
--- Elise Eclar

By the way, the graphic art you used in your announcement captures both your spirit as artist and musician. --- Jon Melegrito

"...provocative" --- Eric Townsend

Write-up on Rodney by Judith Ladringan, January 1, 2007

“The Right Time”
a winter concert

The Rod Garcia Band

high-energy and inspiring original music
with
Jitter Garcia, Matt Magnaye, Eric Champaloux, Russ Arlotta,
Belle De Leon, Martin Magnaye and Tito De Leon

January 13 at 8 p.m.

John Addison Concert Hall
HARMONY HALL REGIONAL CENTER
10701 Livingston Road
Fort Washington, Maryland

"Love your music!" ---- The Speaks

"Beautiful music!"
--- Giorgia Cavallaro, Professor of Guitar, Catholic University of America

"I aspire to the musical genius of Rod Garcia."
--- Ambassador Alberto Del Rosario,Jr.
Farewell Address July 7, 2006
J.W. Marriott, Washington D.C.

"... an engaging voice." --- Beth Stewart
Director, Sleepy Hollow House Concerts

PAFC FUNDRAISER NETS 20K FOR LEYTE
The Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. (PAFC) turned over $20,000 in funds raised to Gawad Kalinga last Saturday, November 11, 2006 at Manila Café in Springfield, VA. The funds are earmarked for the building of homes in Leyte for those who were displaced and rendered homeless by the mudslide that occurred early this year. CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY.

October 31, 2006

HI everyone,

The other night's set at the Marriott went well--better than expected, actually. The new sound system worked like a dream --easily filling the large ball room of about 500 folks with our music. I miked Rocky's sax and plugged in my Morris acoustic guitar for the three original songs. People were coming up to us afterwards paying really nice compliments; and one of the people in my table (she had seen us before) told the others - "if you think this was good, you should hear the entire band together."

The new PI Ambassador to the US Willie Gaa was in attendance and he told me he's a musician too. I asked him (half-kidding of course) if he played percussion [since I didn' have Belle that night]. And he replied that he likes to sing. Anyway, Rocky [as usual] upstaged me and got lots of applause each time he finished a phrase or rift.

October 21, 2006
8 p.m.
JW Marriott Washington DC
On the occasion of -- Feed The Hungry's "Handog"

September 24, 2006 (Sunday)
Doors open 5 p.m. (matinee)
Rod begins at 6:45 p.m.

Knights of Columbus Concert Hall
Columcille Council Hall
1633 Tucker Rd.
Fort Washington, Md. 20744

Council: www.rc.net/washington/kc5317

Parish: www.rc.net/washington/stcolumba

August 19, 2006
9-10:30 p.m.
Manila Cafe
Springfield, Virginia

March 26, 2006

Sharing on Concert: Savory Cafe, Takoma Park March 25, 2006

Hi everyone:

This is a weird time. I had a gig at the Savory Cafe, Jitter was at rehearsals for her musical at the Kennedy Center and Karla was at the National Theater for her Broadway-bound musical 'Hot Feet." Rocky was at my Uncle Jun's place -basically grounded (translation: no gigging/sax playing) for telling a fib at school.

When they called me on, people started gathering around the performance area and the second level. The only one with me tonight was Russ (violin/guitar). It was the most packed I've seen at the Savory. Mixed crowd - age-group and racial demographics. Blacks, whites, one Filipino, some Asian-Americans, people in their twenties/thirties and older. The bluegrass/folk musicians who performed before I came on stayed to listen.

The lesson learned by me tonight is "know thy audience." I was thinking of doing a light acoustic jazz set and started with "Sweet Summertime" (without my band's sax players, percussionists) BAD IDEA -- as I was finishing the song I noticed that two people on the second level began to take their coats and walk out. NO!! I exclaimed in silence -come back! I won't sing that song again. Anyway, they obviously couldn't hear my pained but mute cries of anguish over their lost patronage. So I had to think fast before I start losing more. What could have been the problem? Then it struck me like a frying pan upside my head: This is a folk crowd tonight! I decided my next series of songs should be folk acoustic compositions (except "Lately"). Fortunately, by the third song, even more people from the cafe part of the place were coming down to the performance area and by the end of the evening, I made many new friends.

One of the new friends happens to be a percussionist and songwriter too. He's performed at La Mayorga (a "rival" venue of Savory). Since I need a percussionist for the Catholic University gig a few days hence, I decided to ask him if he could come to the house and jam tomorrow. Hopefully, he'll be good for the songs. Playing this upcoming gig before college kids bothers me, since I can't quite read them as well. I just figure that it's better to have percussive sounds than folk songs this coming Wednesday. But - just as I was wrong at the Savory- -I may be wrong about Catholic U- and may end up pulling out my folk song repertoire yet again. We shall see.

Anyway, I picked up Rocky from my uncle's place (and Rocky reportedly displayed good behavior); Jitter and Karla came home from their respective performances tired but beaming with the promise of a breakfast full of stories about tonight's performances, and all's right with the world.

Coming up -- Opening of The Carlos Bulosan archives at the Library of Congress. Organizers asked me to compose two songs for the event (dinner/symposium/ribon-cutting launch). Interesting challenge. Someone suggested I do something "of the earth" -almost country style. I don't know. I think acoustic style works just as well, but I'm playing with the idea of composing the pieces in piano this time. Bahala na.

Take care,
Rod

Feb. 26, 2006

Poem composed and recited by Linda Pirrone at the Feb. 18, 2006 concert.

"Over the years, Rodney Garcia has entertained us with stories, taught us our rights under the law, written songs and sung to us, educated us on living wills, wrote bylaws and helped support the arts and the humanities and tonight, Julian and I would like to give him an introduction, Tutubi style:

Please allow us to introduce Rodney
Versatile and musical words are the key
He teaches in words written and spoken
He sings of life and pledges once broken
He celebrates the land where he was born
His creative mind is active till morn
He was wise enough to choose a smart wife
Who with his children complete his rich life
His legal talents are legend to all
Who seek to honor and comprehend law
He writes our charters, bylaws and much more
His kababayans honor his folk lore
Shared in musicals, plays, and in words
Stories of his homeland are always heard
In melodic tones and poignant verse
He reaches the edge of the universe
And touches our hearts with his spirit, true
To provide a lens to see it anew
He offers a forum for expression
In doing so, he offers the lesson
To help each other celebrate our young
By giving a platform for their own song
And offering you a night to treasure
He brings his music here for your pleasure
And gives his talent and those of his friends
When this magical evening starts to end
You’ll leave this café with a new outlook
Run to his website and buy his new book
Invite his band for your next occasion
Ask him to be your legal liaison
When you want someone to be on your side
When a task is hard to take it in stride
Call Rodney Garcia is what we would do
Now here he is, without further ado.

By Linda Pirrone, 2/18/06 Manila Café Tutubi Cultural Center

Just a brief note that we just finished a pretty satisfying concert at the Manila Cafe. We were billed for 9:30 p.m., but at 6:30 I got a call from my friend Nory who asked why I wasn't there yet. Apparently, her group and some others were already "camped" at the cafe and said they'd leave if I didn't show up by the time they finished their dinner. So I took Rocky with me and instructed Jitter and Ella to handle the rest of the band -who, I imagined, were scouring the music stores for a new bass guitar -because Martin's bass conked out earlier that afternoon at practice. In the meantime, a portion of my right thumb's fingernail had peeled off! On concert day! So I would have to play with a guitar pick that night -something I'm no longer used to doing. Off Rocky and I went, when we got to the cafe, the tables were full already and I wondered how it would be for those who would be coming later at the true concert time. I started mixing with the folks at the cafe -some gently asking if I can just go ahead and start. Instead, I asked the owner if we can play Jitter's CD on the system, to tide them through while we waited for the rest of the band. Within the hour, more people had filtered in and the Cafe attendants were bringing out more chairs from the back room.

Soon the place was packed. Finally, the rest of the band walked in, lugging the instruments (keyboard, drumset, and yes -a leased bass guitar) and other peripherals. How'd the concert go? Jitter had her charisma; but those sax guys (including Rocky) blew the place away -I am so proud of them. Just a week before, Matt Magnaye [Rocky's 16 year old sax tutor) starred in solo piece after solo piece with an elite jazz orchestra concert. And at the Cafe, he had the audience up and applauding. The other sax guy is Martin (also plays smoking bass guitar) - who was recruited by Chris Vedalla of Chuck Mangione fame to play in a jazz ensemble with the University of Maryland. It also helped that I had a true pro on keyboards and/or drums -Romeo Casanova is quite an addition to us -whose virtuosity has seen airplay in a jazz radio station WKYS. He even put "strings" (violin, cello) sound on a couple of my change-of-pace folk ballads.

I don't know, seems that sometimes Providence really does gift us with the missing pieces.

NEXT GIGS:

March 19 Friday. Bishop O'Oconnel 5 p.m.-7 Leyte Mudslide Benefit (including Agos, The Speaks, First Rays, Angie Pepa)

March 29. Catholic University Of America (8 p.m.) - short gig sponsored by the Fil-Am students association.

Feb. 24, 2006
HI all,

Well, as you know, tonight the Philippine Embassy celebrated the anniversary of EDSA I with a grand reception at the Romulo Hall. Dignitaries, state department, etc. And most of the Fil-Am leaders were there. A defiant but calm Ambassador del Rosario told the crowd that the coup attempt in Manila today did not succeed and that the Filipinos should remain united. Interestingly enough, a few days prior to the reception, the cultural attache had contacted me and requested me to play at the reception, specifically my composition "Nasaan" --a song about unity.

So after all the speeches -including a rather long evangelical-type prayer (I mean--really interminably long -- and I felt guilty that my mind was wandering to the food and that I started people-watching). Anyway, then it was time for dinner, and yes, I was one of the first in line (but then I ended up giving my plate to Ella). After the repast, our trio (Jitter, Matt and myself)got up on the stage; one of the staff arranged the mics together for us (but these were non-music mics, but I guess we were okay with them, and there was no time for sound check) Jitter was with me to do the bulk of the singing because I'm coming out of some form of sore throat this week, and Matt brandished his soprano sax (I had given him some counterpoints and note runs just two nights ago -and I told him not to do any jazz licks on this one; the guy had the whole kaboodle pat down in a couple of days.) Then when we finished and the crowd yelled for more, we sang our staple "Sana."

Then they called for more, but we finally demurred. The head of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities came up and announced the upcoming Leyte Mudslide Benefit Concert that I'm organizing. We promised fantastic artists at the concert. Feedback from our little schtick up there was actually very nice. Even the young intern working at the embassy introduced himself to me and talked enthusiastically about the songs (even though I bet he hardly understood the first one we did).

I'm looking forward to that Mudslide Benefit Concert because I'll be seeing my music friends again --most of whom were the same rough riders from Bagyo Aid last year.

Rod

Feb. 12, 2006
Rodney Garcia will be doing a full concert of his original compositions February 18 at the Manila Cafe in Springfield, Virginia. Last February, Rod put together a group of local musical artists (including the Speaks, Agos and Average Joe) for the Bagyo Aid concert to benefit Feed The Hungry's projects in typhoon-devasted Quezon and Aurora in the Philippines. Last May, Rod also performed in Manila Cafe to benefit Gawad Kalinga.

Joining him in this year's performance will be Martin Magnaye (tenor sax, bass). Martin is considered one of the best tenor saxophone player among the Catholic high school bands in the archdiocese. Also in Rod's band are Glenn Davis (guitar), Matt Magnaye( alto sax, guitar, percussion), Romeo Casanova (keyboards, drums), Rocky Garcia (alto sax), Jitter Garcia (vocals) and Eric Champaloux (guitar) and Russ Arlotta.

Aug. 25, 2005
The younger members of my band have created a site in myspace.com/rodgarciaband. Please check it out for pictures and recordings we're working on.

Aug. 27, (tentative date) House Concert in Woodbridge ( hosted by Leonor Noblejas)

Here's my June-July Schedule:

June 21.......... 7 p.m. Lecture on Living Wills at the Mrs. Philippines Home for Senior Citizens, Bock Rd. Oxon Hil, Maryland

June 25...........9-10 p.m. . mini-concert Savory Cafe, 7071 Carrol Ave, Takoma Park, Maryland

July 9 ............8 p.m., guest appearance, launch of Angie Pepa's CD Karaoke Idol, 7151 Lee Highway

Back from LA

Also present was the Rene, President (and his wife) of the Don Bosco Alumni Association of the US -Rene Ramos. He was very encouraging in his support. Here's a portion of a letter to my friend Raoul -which was copied to me:

.... Tell Rodney that we enjoyed it very much - it was our first time to attend such. I am almost through reading the book - baka biglang mag test si Rodney. Also, I will remind him to send me a sampler CD ...!

Rene