Artstart Band resurrected for a reunion concert
THE original Artstart band members had long envisioned to have a reunion concert and bring together onstage the performers who first started with the band to be known in the local entertainment scene.
“Matagal na gusto ng lahat mag reunion pero naging patient kami sa pagdating ng tamang panahon,” Artstart founder and drummer Mar Dizon said.
“At eto na nga, dumating si Ricky (De Los Reyes) and Algada Entertainment. Si Ricky ang naging susi sa lahat. Tapos nag coordinate na si Elke (Saison-Ortiz).”
Guitarist and lead vocalist Pido Lalimarmo disclosed the idea for a reunion concert started last year when they decided to get together for a fundraiser.
“Then we got word that Ella May was coming home so tamang-tama. Then, through Elke (Ella’s sister), we met Ricky who was interested in producing a show for us. So eto na, ang bilis.”
Bassist Soc Mina disclosed the reunion concert has been talked about among the members since middle of some two years ago.
“The idea for a reunion has been floated for nearly ten years now,” said flutist, saxophonist an vocals Ronald Tomas. “But for this particular concert, the idea from my end came from Ella May’s sister Elke, who I am currently bandmates with in a Steely Dan tribute band called The Black Cows.”
Keyboardist and vocals Elhmir Saison learned about the reunion concert from Mar.
“The boys have done a quick last-minute reunion gig with Ella May before,” said female lead vocalist Gina Respall. “I tried to organize a reunion gig before the pandemic when I came back from the UK (United Kingdom), but things always came up which made everyone’s availability quite challenging.
“Also, a reunion concert with Ella May seemed like a better idea and more meaningful. I even suggested that Cooky Chua should also join us, as she also became the band’s female vocalist when they regrouped in 2018.”
The members were pleased that Ricky De Los Reyes and Algada Entertainment are involved in the reunion concert. Musical direction is by all the boys, who worked collaboratively on how to arrange the songs.
Pido and Gina happily attested there was really no need for convincing since everyone was more than willing to regroup and do the reunion concert.
“It wasn’t difficult for everyone since I, for one, was really eager to make this plan a reality,” Soc Mina asserted.
“There was no convincing needed as once the idea came to the ears of those who were asked, the answer was an immediate yes,” added Ronald.
“It just so happened,” said Ehlmir.
In the beginning, Mar gave the name Artstart that lasted for five years. “The band went through many revisions from 1990 until we disbanded in 1995,” Gina said.
Thankfully, everyone was receptive when the reunion concert was brought up. It will be on March 15 at the Music Museum.
“Everyone was excited at the initial word that Ella Mae was coming back and the possibility of a reunion,” said Ronald.
Pido and Gina announced everyone was excited with the idea.
All original members – drummer Mar Dizon, lead vocalist and guitarist Pido Lalimarmo, female lead vocals Ella May Saison and Gina Respall, flute, saxophone and vocals Ronald Tomas, keyboardist and vocals Elhmir Saison and Soc Mina – will perform in the reunion concert.
Unfortunately, Junjun Perez (bassist) and Nato Canlas (keyboardist), who both were in Artstart recording under Polycosmic Records (1993) could not join the group for the reunion concert.
When Artstart disbanded in 1992, Ella May Saison lost no time to go solo. “Nag-solo ako, nag-album, then I went to the States for an offer of a solo album,” Ella May said.
“Kami ni Ronald ay napuntang Parliament Syndicate,” shared Mar. “Nauna sya umalis ng Artstart, at pag alis ko in-offer din ako ng Parliament Syndicate.”
“I got into fulltime session work and music director for concerts,” offered Soc. “The rest went into pursuing individual careers, different bands, solo artists, horn section and Ella migrated to the US.”
Ronald left Artstart before it disbanded in 1993. “I joined Parliament Syndicate and was one of those who formed it,” said Ronald. “Later, I was with the hard pop jazz group Wdouji in 2000-2004 and we released two music albums
“Other groups that I played with were Sammy Asuncion’s Spy, Skarlet Swing Machine between 2004 and 2008 and then again between 2015 and 2022.
“Between 2008 and 2015, I worked on a cruise ship as a musician and as a musical director. After I stopped doing ships in 2015, I released a solo jazz album with my jazz group Ronald Tomas Nonet called Travels.
“Right now, I am currently leading two groups, namely the traditional jazz outfit, Dixie Sheikhs, which plays 1920s to 1930s style jazz and the Ronald Tomas Collective, a jazz group that plays my originals exclusively.
Ronald is also a member of the AMP (Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino) Big Band in the capacity of a tenor sax player since 2017. Additionally, he is a music teacher at the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde in the Music Production Department of the School of Arts, Culture and Performance.
“I am also a PhD candidate majoring in composition at the UST Graduate School,” added Ronald.
Pido joined Anthem, with Elhmir, Junjun, Rolly Quizon (drums) and Oj Olaguer (vocals). “Then I formed Pido with Take One, precursor to me going solo,” Pido said.
“I released two solo albums then I formed my trio which lasted for 4 to 5 years. Then I joined Southborder for something like a year, then I was invited to play in Hong Kong for a Motown legend, Bobby Taylor (artist, songwriter and producer) that lasted for four years.
“I went back home, continued my solo career, released a couple of singles and currently playing solo acoustic gigs and have my own band, Live House Project for live band situations and lastly Blackcows , the Steely Dan tribute band.”
Elhmir joined different groups, while Gina also went solo then later joined theatrical productions.
The last time Artstart performed together with Ella May before they disbanded was in 1992. “That served as her farewell gig before I took her place,” shared Gina. “I remember that it was such an energetic show.
“But as Artstart with me as the female lead vocalist, I think it was a back-to-back concert with Side A and Second Wind sometime in 1994.”
Mar, meanwhile, recalled he joined the Artstart concert at the Folk Arts Theater with Side A and Second Wind, before Artstart disbanded.
For their set list in the reunion concert, the songs will be a “combined vote” that everyone agreed on, as disclosed by Soc.
Ronald said it its the “band and the producer” who selected the set list. “The songs will be a mix of what we played in the ‘90s and our biggest songs from our album.”
Gina insisted the boys collaborated on the line up with Clint Ortiz. “There will be some originals and a lot will be cover songs that the band was identified with in the ‘90s,” she said.
Artstart started in 1989 after Mar left Side A. The first member of Artstart were Sonny Tolentino, with Ehlmir and Pido.
“Heavy ang tugtugan namin noon,” said Mar. “Sa Birdland kami tumutugtog, tapos nung paalis ang Side A ng Calesa Bar, nagpa-audition ang Hyatt, so nag-audition kami noon.
“Ang members pa noon ay si Noggers sa percussion, si Ronald, si Tikyo, ako, si Pido tapos hindi nakarating si attorney sa auditions pero kami pa rin ang nakuha.
“So pumalit si JQ kay attorney. Then may sakunang nangyari, napilayan si JQ, saka bumalik si Atty. Bumalik pala si Nato Canlas, around 1991 na ‘yun.”
Soc was not sure what year he joined Artstart. “But I used to watch the band in a jazz venue called Birdland,” he shared. “I got in when bassist, Junjun Perez was commissioned for an international tour with Smokey Mountain. I filled-in for him.
“I was part of the band for less than a year, but they went on for many years after I left. Mar Dizon came up with the band’s name.”
Ronald started in 1989 and formally joined in late 1990. “We came together because we were jobless at that time if I am going to be honest,” he recalled.
Eventually, Artstart also disbanded and the members parted ways. “For me, it was more of a sad, disappointing and hard decision to make because the band was home to me,” said Soc. “I’m not sure why the band disbanded totally after I left.
Ronald cannot answer the question on why the band disbanded. “I have already left even before the band totally disbanded,” he said.
Elhmir was convinced everybody wanted to explore some things that’s why they disbanded.
Pido reasoned out. “I would say ‘life,’ yes it was sad we went our separate ways, but I think I can say, it only made this reunion sweeter!”
Gina actually does not know why Artstart eventually disbanded. “We were called in for a meeting by (our manager) Wyngard Tracy to give us the news,” she shared. “He also said that it was best for us to end on a high note.
“I remember that the band was doing so great at that time. But Wyngard probably knew what he was doing at that time.”
Artstart’s set list for the reunion concert came from group suggestions, as disclosed by Elhmir. That will include their signature songs during their time like “Stay Awake,” “One Temptation, “Till They Take My Heart Away” and original tunes from the album.
“It’s very exciting,” said Pido. “We haven’t played most of the songs in a looong time.”
