Tots Tolentino Explained

Tots Tolentino
Birth Name:	Mario Martin Allid Tolentino
Birth Date:	2 July 1959
Genre:	jazz, pop
Occupation:	Musical artist, session musician, arranger
Instrument:	saxophone (tenor, alto, and soprano sax), flute, clarinet, penny whistle
Years Active:	1984-present
Label:	Blackgold Records Dypro Records Saturno Records Jesuit Communications Foundation
Module:	Embed: yes Organization: Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (AMP) Nationality: Philippines Education: Magna cum laude - Berklee College of Music Alma Mater: University of the Philippines and Berklee College of Music Employer: University of Santo Tomas Occupation: Educator in university Credits: , which produces label "Notable credit(s)"; or by Works: , which produces label "Works"; or by Label Name: , which produces label "Label(s)" --> Relatives: Sen. Arturo Tolentino (grandfather)

Tots Tolentino^{[1] [2]} (born on July 2, 1959) is a jazz musician from the Philippines.

Biography

Tots Tolentino's interest in jazz began at age 16 upon hearing recordings by Charlie Parker.^[3] In 1977, he enrolled at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music where he studied flute under Prof. Eric Barcelo and played with the U.P. Jazz Ensemble, switching to saxophone. He afterwards enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, under the tutelage of Joseph "Joe" Viola^[4] where he graduated magna cum laude in 1982.^[5] His professional career as a first-call session musician in the Philippine recording industry^{[6] [7]} culminated in his own first album in 1990.

Albums

Tots Tolentino has five solo albums to date, namely the self-titled Tots Tolentino (1990) and Inah (1991), both under Blackgold Records; and Color Real (1993) with Dypro Records. In 2012 he released a Christmas album entitled Tots Tolentino Plays Vehnee Saturno Christmas Songs. In 2015, he released another Christmas album under the Jesuit Communications Foundation, called God Rest Ye! (Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino).^[8]

Bands

In the early 90s, Tots Tolentino fronted the group Buhay,^{[9] [10]} a band composed of Pinoy jazz musicians Wowee Posadas (keyboards), Mar Dizon^[11] (drums), Meong Pacana (bass), and Tots Tolentino.^[12]

In the mid-1990s, he was in invited by the famed trumpeter Terumasa Hino^[13] to join the Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet,^{[14] [15]} a jazz group featuring four of Asia's prominent jazz musicians, namely pianist/organist Jeremy Monteiro from Singapore, guitarist Eugene Pao from Hong Kong, drummer Hong Chanutr Techatana-nan^[16] from Thailand, and saxophonist Tots Tolentino from the Philippines.

Tots joined Johnny Alegre AFFINITY in 2002, a Manila-based jazz group with frontman Johnny Alegre (guitar), Colby de la Calzada (contrabass), Elhmir Saison (piano), and Koko Bermejo (drums). Johnny Alegre AFFINITY released several albums which were nominated for awards.

He was one of the founders and principal soloists of a large ensemble called The AMP Band,^[17] consisting of members from the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino,^{[18] [19]} hence its name.

Adobo Jazz

Tolentino participated in ensembles featured in the Adobo Jazz series of Pinoy Jazz anthology albums.

• Bobby Enriquez All-Star Band, featuring Bobby Enriquez (piano) Emil Mijares (vibraphone) Nestor Gonzaga (trumpet) Abel Valdevia (alto sax) Tots Tolentino (tenor sax) Pikoy Villapando (baritone sax) Narding Sanchez (trombone) Roger Herrera (bass) Tony Velarde (drums) Nick Boogie (percussion)
• Johnny Alegre AFFINITY, featuring Johnny Alegre (guitar), Tots Tolentino (alto sax), Elhmir Saison (piano), Colby dela Calzada (bass), and Koko Bermejo (drums)
• Monk's Jazz Bureau, featuring Terry Undag (trumpet), Tots Tolentino (alto sax), Marc Lopez (piano), Colby dela Calzada (bass), and George San Jose (drums)
• ETS Band, featuring Elhmir Saison (keyboards), Tots Tolentino (clarinet), Janno Queyquep (guitar), Noel Asistores (bass), Mar Dizon (drums), and Wilson Matias (2nd keyboards)

Advocacy

Tots Tolentino helped organize the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (trans: Association of Filipino Musicians). to professionalize Filipino musicians wages, contracts and render financial assistance, legal counsel and coordination with government agencies.

Academe

Tots joined the faculty of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music (UST Music)^[20] and is presently the head of its Jazz Studies program^[21] and the conductor of the UST Jazz Ensemble.^{[22] [23]} The Filipino Music Art Collective^[24] lists Tots Tolentino as one of their mentors.

Discography

Solo albums

Year	Album Title	Artist	Label	Catalog/Barcode	Genre	Format
1990	Tots Tolentino	Tots Tolentino	Blackgold Records	BA-5166	Crossover Jazz	LP
1991	Inah	Tots Tolentino	Blackgold Records	KBA-5203	Crossover Jazz	Cassette
1993	Color Real	Tots Tolentino	Dypro Records	86/91	Pop/Rock	CD
2012	Tots Tolentino Plays Vehnee Saturno Christmas Songs	Tots Tolentino	Saturno Records		Christmas	CD
2015	God Rest Ye! (Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino)^[25]	Tots Tolentino	Jesuit Communications Foundation		Christmas	CD

Compilation albums

Year	Single/Album	Artist	Label	Catalog/Barcode	Genre	Format
2002	Adobo Jazz: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Jazz Artist, Vol. 1 (two recordings with two different bands)	Johnny Alegre AFFINITYMonk's Jazz Bureau	IndiRa Records		Jazz	Compilation CD
2002	Adobo Jazz, Vol. 2	The Bobby Enriquez All-Star Band	IndiRa Records		Jazz	Compilation CD
2012	A Bossa Nova Love Affair^[26]	Various Artists	Candid Records	CCD 71805	Jazz	Compilation CD
2019	Adobo Jazz: Filipino Jazz Music of Our Time, Vol. 1	ETS Band	Bowfinger Records		Jazz	Compilation CD

Group albums

Year	Album Title	Artist	Label	Catalog/Barcode	Genre	Format
2000	Inner Country^[27] ^[28] ^[29] ^[30]	Bob Aves Group	BMG		World Jazz	CD
2005	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY	Candid Records Philippines	CAN-KC-5001	Jazz	CD
2005	Jazzhound	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY	Candid Records	CCD 79842	Jazz	CD
2007	Eastern Skies	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY	Candid Records Philippines	CAN-KC-5006	Jazz	CD
2011	Live At The Living Room Jazz Festival, Bangkok^[31]	Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet	Jazznote Records		Jazz	CD
2014	Stories	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY	MCA Music (Philippines)	UPC:00602537694600	Jazz	CD
2022	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY^[32] ^[33]	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY	Backspacer Records	JAA-001-BR	Jazz	Vinyl

Session work

Year	Single/Album	Artist	Label	Catalog/Barcode	Genre	Format
1976	Pamasko^[34]	The New Minstrels	RJV Records	R-5001	Christmas	LP
1990	Thaddea	Rudy Lozano	Ivory Records	463	Jazz	Cassette
1991	A New Start	Martin Nievera	Dyna Music		Easy Listening	CD
1994	Roads	Martin Nievera	Polycosmic Records	DST-92-243	Easy Listening	CD
1996	Another Chance	Janno Gibbs	Polycosmic Records	92-264	Pop/Rock	CD
1998	In Love	Lea Salonga	BMG	1	Vocal	CD
1999	Aawitan Ko Na Lang	Ariel Rivera	Musiko	117	Pop/Rock	CD
1999	Forever, Forever	Martin Nievera	EMI / PolyEast Records	547619	Easy Listening	CD
1999	Louie O.	Louie Ocampo	Musiko / BMG	MRMC 128	New Age	CD
1999	Papa's Bag	Menchu Apostol	Viva Records	99045	Pop/Rock	CD
2000	By Heart	Lea Salonga	BMG	9	Easy Listening	CD
2000	Jazz in Time	Richard Merk	Star Records	11-27006-4	Jazz	CD
2000	Revive (Bonus Disc)	Gary Valenciano	Universal Records Philippines	41221	Religious	CD
2000	Servant of All	Various artists	Viva Records	0000125	Pop/Rock	Compilation CD
2000	Show Me The Way	Chad Borja	Warner Music Philippines		Pop/Rock	Digital Media
2000	Simply ... Rex	Rex Smith	MCA	59721	Pop/Rock	CD
2000	The Disco Project	Passage	Neo Musiq	2000006	Pop/Rock	CD
2001	At The Movies	Ivy Violan	Viva Records	2001-02	Pop/Rock	CD
2001	My Souvenirs	Martin Nievera	EMI / PolyEast Records	016145	Easy Listening	CD
2001	Oras	Rannie Raymundo	Neo Musiq	NR-CAS-01-028	Pop/Rock	CD
2001	Soulitude^[35] ^[36]	Mon David			Easy Listening	CD
2003	Beyond Words^[37] Track 10: Until Then	Gary Valenciano	Universal Records Philippines	669910560853		CD and Digital Media
2003	... Miracle / Giliw	Martin Nievera	Vicor Music	117	Easy Listening	CD
2004	Best Wishes: A Wedding Songs Collection	Martin Nievera	EMI / PolyEast Records	578510	Easy Listening	CD
2004	Thor	Thor	Evolution Music / Warner Music Philippines		R&B	CD
2004	Once in a Lifetime	Freestyle	Viva Records	VR CDS 04 137	Pop	CD
2005	When Love Is Gone	Martin Nievera	EMI / PolyEast Records	34645	Easy Listening	CD
2005	Life and Time	Mon David	Candid Records Philippines	CAN-KC-7001	Vocal Jazz	CD
2006	My One and Only Love	Mon David	Candid Records Philippines		Vocal Jazz	CD
2007	Milestones	Martin Nievera	EMI	09291	Easy Listening	CD
2008	Angelsong^[38]	Aya Yuson	Candid Records Philippines		Jazz	CD
2012	Stranger on the Shore^[39]	Stranger on the Shore	Mishka Adams	Candid Records	CCD 79858	Jazz	CD

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Work	Artist/s or Group	Result
1991	4th Awit Awards	Gold Record Award	Tots Tolentino (self-titled album)	Tots Tolentino
1991	4th Awit Awards	Best Jazz Recording	Inah	Tots Tolentino
1992	5th Awit Awards	Best Jazz Instrumental Recording^[40]	Inah	Tots Tolentino
2003	15th Awit Awards	Best Jazz Instrumental Recording	Kalabukab	Buhay (Wowee Posadas (keyboards), Mar Dizon (drums), Meong Pacana (bass), and Tots Tolentino (saxophone)
2005	18th Aliw Awards	Best Instrumental Artist		Tots Tolentino (saxophone)
2005	18th Awit Awards	Best Jazz Album	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY (self-titled album)	Johnny Alegre AFFINITY
2008	21st Aliw Awards	Best Major Concert^[41] ^[42]	Love's What Matters Most (Valentine Concert)	John Lesaca (violin), Tots Tolentino (saxophone), and Noelle Cassandra (harp)
2008	21st Aliw Awards	Best Instrumentalist		Tots Tolentino (saxophone)
2016	29th Awit Awards	Best Jazz Recording	The Christ Child	composer: Marlene del Rosario / instrumentalist: Tots Tolentino

External links

• • Tots Tolentino on Spotify
    • • Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (AMP)
• Discography of Tots Tolentino at AllMusic.com
  • Official biography of Tots Tolentino in the Cultural Center of the Philippines website

Notes and References

1. Web site: 112. Tots Tolentino. www.pmauriatmusic.com.
2. Book: The Philippines Yearbook. 2005. Fookien Times. 87. en.
3. Web site: 2017-10-01. Biography of Tots Tolentino. Cultural Center of the Philippines.
4. Web site: Joseph Viola. Berklee Press. en-US.
5. Book: Quirino , Richie C. . Mabuhay Jazz: Jazz in Postwar Philippines. 2008. Anvil. 978-971-27-2067-3. 312682998.
6. Book: Shepherd, John. Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World, Volume II: Performance and Production. 2003. A&C Black. 978-0-8264-6322-7. en.
7. Book: CCP encyclopedia of Philippine art.. 1994. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 971-8546-23-5. Manila. 68. 31991787.
8. Web site: 2019-01-22. JesCom Philippines God Rest Ye: Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino. JesCom Philippines. en-US.
9. Web site: Buhay biography. Last.fm. en.
10. Web site: Everything Cebu. 2012-10-05. Jazz n' Bluz. Everything Cebu. en-US.
11. Web site: Mar Dizon. zildjian.com. en.
12. Book: Quirino , Richie C. . Pinoy jazz traditions. 2004. Published and exclusively distributed by Anvil. 680447848.
13. Web site: Terumasa Hino Biography & History. AllMusic. en.
14. Web site: Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet. Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet Artist Bandwagon Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia.. en.
15. Web site: The Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet on Apple Music. en-US.
16. Web site: Hong Chanutr Techatananan. Tidal.
17. Web site: Yuson. Aya. Jazz in the 3rd World. GMA News Online. 16 February 2011. en.
18. Web site: Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino – Official website of the Musicians Association of the Philippines.
19. Web site: Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (Association of Filipino Musicians). ASEF culture360. en.
20. Web site: University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. UST Conservatory of Music. en-US.
21. Web site: Tots Tolentino. www.pmauriatmusic.com.
22. Web site: Agimat : Music - In a Merry Mood: From Classical to Jazz. www.agimat.net.
23. Web site: CCP holds the 1st Philippine International Guitar Festival. Philstar.com.
24. Web site: Mentors Filipino Music Art Collective. FMAC Music Workshop. en.
25. Web site: God Rest Ye: Christmas Jazz with Tots Tolentino – JesCom Philippines. 22 January 2019. en-US.
26. Web site: Tots Tolentino Credits. AllMusic. en.
27. Web site: Quirino. Richie C.. Bob Aves: Bob Files. www.gracenono.com.
28. Book: Gonzales , David . Billboard - Global Music Pulse: The Latest Music News from Around the Planet. 73. 2000-06-17. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. en.
29. Book: Filipinas Magazine. 46. 2001. Filipinas Pub.. en.
30. Web site: Exploring the 'inner country'. Philstar.com.
31. Web site: Patterson. Ian. Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet: Live at the Living Room Jazz Festival, Bangkok album review @ All About Jazz. All About Jazz. 2011-11-11. en.
32. Web site: Jazz masterpiece 'Affinity' by Johnny Alegre out on vinyl this October 2. ABS-CBN News.
33. Web site: On Vinyl, "Affinity" is a Sonic Masterpiece. 16 October 2022. ourbrew.ph.
34. Web site: Filipinas Heritage Library Biblio. www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph.
35. Web site: Balasbas-Gancayco. Dot Ramos. Mon David: Music is the air I breathe. Philstar.com.
36. Web site: Nepales. Ruben V.. 2012-09-07. Mon David dazzles in latest album. INQUIRER.net. en.
37. Web site: Release "Beyond Words" by Gary Valenciano - MusicBrainz. musicbrainz.org.
38. Web site: Magno. Alexander T.. 2008-09-15. Jazz guitarist Aya Yuson makes songwriting debut in 2nd LP. GMA News.
39. Web site: Arcellana. Juaniyo. Stranger shores. www.philstar.com.
40. Web site: Viva - Awit Awards. 25. studylib.net. en.
41. Web site: 21st Aliw Awards releases list of nominees for best performances. PEP.ph. en.
42. Web site: 2008-10-11. 21st Annual Aliw Awards List of Nominees - Aliw Awards 2008. Pinoy Teens. en-US.