THERE will be 16 days of music to be performed by more than 50 local and foreign artists at the 11TH annual Philippine International Jazz Festival (Pijazzfest) which opens Feb. 12 in three venues.

The idea that has enabled Pijazzfest to survive and flourish is to hold the event in as many venues as possible—“to bring the music to the people,” as the organizers like to say.

These venues are usually bars and clubs around the metropolis, as well as hotel lounges, art galleries, and multipurpose halls.

Opening night features guitarist Rey Infante, 6 p.m., Art Circle Café and Gallery at the Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Diliman; the all-female classical guitar trio Triple Fret, 7:30 p.m., The Café at Hyatt Hotel in City of Dreams; and a “Scatfest” with Stella Ignacio, Jay Mclean, Johnny Gaerlan, Rey Infante, and special guest Annie Brazil, 9 p.m. at the reopened Monk’s Dream in Makati.

Also performing at Monk’s Dream, on Feb. 15, 9 p.m., is the highly regarded AMP Big Band.

The lineup of foreign artists include CJ Wasu (India), Feather and Flower (a Fil-Am duo based in the USA), Florian Ross (Germany), Therese Ulvan (Norway), Yotam Silberstein Trio (Israel-USA), and Yemen Blues (Israel). All of them will be playing at the International Gala on Feb. 27 and the Pijazzfest Gala on Feb. 28—both dates starting at 6 p.m. at the Palasyo de Maynila on Roxas Boulevard.

Free workshops and performances featuring some of the international artists are likewise scheduled on Feb. 24, 25 and 26.

View the complete schedule on facebook.com/philjazzfest; for more details contact 0917-368-7558 or 0907-772-2517

‘My Love Will Never Say Goodbye’

Meanwhile, Pinoy pop legends Nonoy Zuñiga and Marco Sison will top-bill a Valentine concert dubbed “My Love Will Never Say Goodbye,” Feb. 12, at the IEC Pavilion in Mabolo, Cebu City.

Guests include singer-songwriter-dancer Anna Melissa, El Tango Argentino de Filipinas, 15-year-old Cebuano musician Sophia O, and the Cebu Clergy Performing Artists (CCPA).
Directing the show is Joey Nombres, musical directors are Bobby Gomez, and Al Gabutan for the Cebu artists.

Tickets are available at The Little Theater@Cebu, 288-E Gorordo Ave. (at the back of QC Pavilion, Cebu City) and all branches of Dong Juan; tel. nos. 0917-835-2102 or (032) 412-7177

Dan Hill at RWM

Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Hill—the voice behind the pop hits “Sometimes When We Touch,” “Why Do We Always Hurt the Ones We Love,” and “In Your Eyes,” among others—performs Feb. 10 at the Newport Theater of Resorts World Manila (RWM).

Special guests are “Miss Saigon” alumna Jenine Desiderio, The Mobb Band, The Angelos, and J-Project.

For tickets, contact 908-7700, 4702222, 911-5555, and 891-9999; log on www.rwmanila.com