Boy Katindig

Jazz Pianist and International Recording Artiste, Boy Katindig, comes from a well-known clan of musicians who pioneered latin jazz in Manila. His father is Philippines' jazz legend/pianist/arranger, Romy Katindig. He learned the rudiments of music from his father and uncles (Romy Katindig & the Hi-Chords). He was a multi-instrumentalist but chose the piano as his main instrument. At the age of 14, he was one of the original members of the famed 14-piece Circus Band. He also played with the jazz band, "Bits & Pieces" for a brief moment in Manila. After being Musical Director and recording the album "Now Batukada," he formed the Boy Katindig Band in 1978. In 1978, Boy signed up with A&W Records International and recorded several albums under the Horizon label. "Midnight Lady," his first album, was awarded "Best Instrumental Composition" by the Himig Awards and a Gold Record Award for the single which preceded it, "Don't Ask My Neighbor." The album was released in the U.S. by Produttori Associati USA, who had contemporary jazz pioneers, Tom Grant & Alphonse Mouzon in its artist roster. "After Midnight" followed and then, "Love Fusion," which Boy describes as Horizon Record's "signature jazz project." The album garnered awards for "Best Jazz Instrumental" and "Best Performance in a Jazz Composition" for "It's Still September" from the Cecil Music Awards Foundation. His vocal composition, "Capture The Changes," featured in a single by Horizon was awarded "Best Vocal Jazz Composition." The Boy Katindig Band which spawned out of the "Midnight Lady" release was also voted "Best Jazz Group" by the Aliw Awards Foundation consecutively for three years. "In My Inner Fantasies" featured his top-selling Double Platinum vocal hit, "I'll Always Stay In Love This Way." Consistent airplay plus, a series of successful concerts throughout Manila and neighboring cities followed each album release, making Boy's name synonymous to contemporary jazz and, as its main exponent from the Philippines. One significant event was a sold-out concert with Japanese jazz harpist, Tadao Hayashi, at the famous "Big Dome," the Araneta Coliseum where major concerts of international Artists and the biggest local Artists take place. Boy finally overcame the obstacles which often befall the progeny of many recording Artistes and, in the interim, established a key element in ensuring his professional survival: his identity. He took an opportunity in Kuala Lumpur to play at a hotel. The hotel owner took notice of Boy's talent and built what became the legendary jazz club in Malaysia, The Manhattan, primarily to showcase his style of music--jazz fusion. He got together Malaysia's best musicians including now, legendary drummer, Lewis Pragasam, to play with him and they were called, "The Waves," pioneer of jazz fusion in Malaysia. Notable performance is with Shakuhachi flautist, John Kaizan Neptune at the Pyramid Theatre. Realizing the need for growth and international acceptance, Boy decided to move to the United States, the homeland of his craft. With his father moving to the U.S. and dreams of performing his music to a wider audience, Boy finally made Los Angeles, California his home. He is the first Filipino contemporary jazz artist to be played in two main jazz stations, KKGO of Los Angeles and KBLX of San Francisco. After concerts in Los Angeles and San Francisco, in 1990, he produced and recorded his first U.S. album, together with L.A. jazz luminaries, Gerald Albright, Abraham Laboriel, Brandon Fields, Phil Upchurch, Russ Freeman, Brenda Eager, Robert Greenidge and Delward Atkins. It was the first fusion album by a Filipino in the United States. Boy's performances led him to Hawaii where he met saxophonist, Michael Paulo, famous for his stints with Al Jarreau, Kalapana, James Ingram, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin and mutual friend, David Benoit. Michael, who was looking for Artists for his record company, Noteworthy Records, took a notice of Boy's indie release, "Journey To Love," and produced his self-titled CD release in 1995. His band, the Boy Katindig & Friends, in association with CD 101.9 Smooth Jazz of Hawaii, performed to packed and enthusiastic audiences in Oahu's premier nightspots. After the release of Boy's self-titled CD from Noteworthy Records, performances around Los Angeles followed with Boy joining the Michael Paulo Band featuring Seawind's Pauline Wilson. Most significant of these performances was at the Japan-American Theatre and at the 94.7 Wave A la Carte, which featured Artists like Branford Marsalis, Jeff Lorber, Tom Scott, Peter White and Rick Braun. "Puerto Princessa," a track from his Noteworthy release was featured in Jazziz Magazine's CD compilation for May 1995, together with Spyro Gyra's "Lost & Found," Joe Farrell's "Mode for Joe," Dori Caymmi's "Irresistable," Bill Evans' "London House," and Joe Lovano & Gunther Schuler's "Rush Hour on 23rd Street." Boy Katindig has been based here since and has made the rounds and headlined his own show rooms at the top casino and hotels at the Las Vegas Strip such as, The Bellagio, Palazzo, Venetian, Mandalay Bay and Paris and is a regularly featured Artist at the yearly Jazz festivals by Oasis 105.7 and The Point 97.1 (Jazz At The Lake festivals). He also became the tour pianist/keyboardist of Peak recording Artist, Paul Taylor. He has established his own label, Kool Kat Productions, released his well-received smooth jazz CD, "Groovin' High," garnering great reviews and regular airplay in the U.S. smooth jazz stations. Boy Katindig has been a household name in the smooth jazz scene since. In 2010, Boy was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Philippine Association of the Recording Industry at the 23rd Awit Awards. Since, he has been dedicating the bulk of his time performing and promoting contemporary jazz music around the Philippines and contributing to the rekindling of the local live music and OPM scene with a focus on his chosen genre. His latest achievement is the success of the first Boy Katindig Jazz Competition--the first songwriting and jazz band competition in the country.