samba e bossa nova
Guarana is the leading proponent of both traditional and authentic Bossa Nova and Samba in the Philippines. Formed in November 2001, the group continues to perform in Caf� Havana in Greenbelt 3, Makati every Tuesday and Saturday as well as in beach resorts, bars & restaurants, hotels, jazz and arts festivals, corporate events and private parties.
Guarana was featured in a Brazilian TV show called "Fantastico Ao Mundo" on TV Globo Brasil which was aired on primetime TV nationwide in Brazil in July 2004.
Guarana is composed of the following members:
1)Eileen Sison (lead vocals/band leader) � awarded last September 2005 by the Brazilian Embassy for her �invaluable cooperation in the promotion of Brazilian music in the Philippines�. Eileen makes regular trips to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil to attend the Carnival in Rio and to learn more about Brazilian music and culture. She can speak, sing and write songs in Brazilian Portuguese. She is also the Founder and Dance Director of Escola de Samba de Manila, a samba school (composed of drummers and dancers) she founded in September 2005 headquartered at Steps Dance Studio in Makati every Saturday. She is also the founder of the Bossa Nova Club of the Philippines. She now hosts a radio segment called �Understanding Bossa Nova� which airs 5 times a day (11am, 2pm, 4pm, 8pm, 10pm), Monday thru Saturday on Crossover 105.1 FM. She is also currently the Sales & Marketing Director of Contract Design (office furniture company).
2)Michael Guevarra (saxophone/flute) � one of the country�s top sax players. Michael has played for international artists like Stevie Wonder, Dianne Schuur, Kevyn Lettau, Eumir Deodato, etc. and the country�s top local concert and recording artists such as Gary, Martin, Sharon, Jaya, ZsaZsa, Ogie, Janno, Regine, you name it. Michael has also been with the Faculty of the University of the Philippines College of Music for over 7 years now. He is also one of the veteran sax players of the UP Jazz Ensemble. Michael has just recently returned from the Java Jazz Festival where he performed together with a sax quartet he formed, Saxophoro.
3)Mike Ponce de Leon (vocals/conga/timbal) � Mike has a long and impressive track record of show bands he has joined through the years, the most recent of which is latin band Arriba (regulars at Caf� Havana, too).
4)Tom Marco (acoustic guitar) � teaches classical guitar; recorded bossa nova compositions of Jose Mari Chan.
5)Ike Ijiran (bass) � like Mike, Ike also has a very long track record of show bands he has joined that have traveled around the world playing with bands.
6)Arwin Nava (drums) � is the drummer of the UP Jazz Ensemble, also the drummer of Radio Active Sago Project, and the percussionist of Wahijuara. He learned Afro-Brazilian rhythms on percussion under the tutelage of Bo Razon.
7)Richie Quirino (bongo) � Richie is the Past President of the Jazz Society of the Philippines. He authored a book and a documentary on the History of Jazz in the Philippines.
8) Jon Abundo (trumpet) - Jon is also a member of the UP Jazz Ensemble and joined Brownbeat All Stars and The Real Groove before joining Guarana.
Regular Performances:
1)Caf� Havana Greenbelt 3, Makati(weekly: Tuesdays 9:30 PM and Saturdays, 10:30 PM)
-- except for March 10 & 21
2)Seawind Resort, Boracay (New Year�s Eve every year)
Upcoming Shows:
1) February 14
Valentine show (Sugarland Hotel ballroom, Bacolod)
2) Feb 16 at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio (Eileen Sison with Bob Basa & Bo Razon)
3) February 17
"Bossa by the Bay" Valentine concert featuring Sofia, Raffi Quijano, Julia Duncan and Eileen Sison with Guarana and Escola de Samba de Manila at the poolside of Sofitel Phil. Plaza Hotel
4) 2nd Phil. International Jazz & Arts Festival
- February 22, Greenbelt 3
(with Airto Moreira)
- February 23, Coconut Palace
(with Flora Purim and Airto Moreira)
5) February 27 at the Ayala Museum for Ipanema, Grendha & Rider launch (Brazilian brands of sandals/flipflops)
6) Feb 28 at Manila Polo Club for Greenwich Pizza
7) March 8 for Carlos Primero Brandy
8) March 9 at Mall of Asia for their Latin Night
9) March 10 at Reunion Square, Malate for LJC function
10) March 21 for Fort Bonifacio High Street for their launch
11) April 1 at Sta. Elena Golf Club for their anniversary cup awards night
Previous Performances:
As there is a long list of past performances, this may be made available upon request.
Repertoire:
A Namorada
A Feli�idade
A Garota de Ipanema (The Girl from Ipanema)
Agua de Beber
Aguas de Mar�o (Waters of March)
Angel
Anos Dourados
Aquarela do Brasil
A R�
Aruanda
A Samba Song (version in Portuguese called "Samba Cancao"/English/Tagalog)
Banana Boat Song
Bananeira
Batucada sa Calesa
Batucada Surgiu
Berimbau
Blue Bossa
Close Your Eyes
Corcovado
Desafinado
Day by Day
Dindi
Down in Brazil
Ela � Carioca
� Luxo S�
Evil Ways
Fairy Tales for Two
Falsa Baiana
Flor-de-lis
Fly Me to the Moon
Fragil
Get Get Down
Gipsy Kings Medley
Gloria Estefan Medley
How Insensitive
Ikaw Pa Rin
Inspira��o
I Wish You Love
Just the Two of Us
Kumot at Unan
La Copa da Vida
Lan�a Perfume
Like a Lover/ O Cantador
Look of Love
Magalenha
Mas Que Nada
Medita��o
Meras Palavras
Nos Bra�os de Isabel
O Lumapit Ka/ S� em Teus Bracos
O Pato
Oye Como Va
Pais Tropical
Para Raio
Pretty World
Ran Kan Kan
Sabor a Mi
Samba de Janeiro
Samba de Uma Nota S� (One Note Samba)
Samba de Ver�o (So Nice)
Samba do Soho
Samba Hey
Sing It Back
So Many Stars
Samba for Luisa
Tayo'y Magsamba
Telefone
The Way You Look Tonight
Tequila
This Time
Triste
Tristeza
Vivo Sonhando
Voce Abusou
Voce e Eu
Watermelon Man
Wave
Technical Rider (this info is for event organizers):
1 drum set
1 pair conga w/ stand (LP or Toca brand, preferred)
1 pair timbales w/ stand & clamp for bells (LP or Toca brand, preferred)
1 bass amp
1 guitar amp
4 floor monitors
1 drummer's monitor
1 wireless microphone w/ stand, for lead vocals
1 boom mic for sax player
1 upright mic for trumpet player
1 vocal mic for conga player
1 mic for conga
1 mic for bongo
4 music stands
1 armless chair for acoustic guitar player
1 armless chair for bongo player
