Bob Aves: The Composer / Arranger, Guitarist and Producer

In the 80s, Bob Aves released rock collaborations with singer and lyricist Goff Macaraeg in an outfit they called R.P (Rock Project). "Street Legal" (1986) and "Strange Storms" (1988). These releases earned for R.P. a place in the local rock music history, and for Bob Aves, the reputation as a 'guitar hero'. His next solo album, "Welcome" (1990), was a turning point in his musical direction as it was then when he first experimented fusing jazz with ethnic elements, resulting in a niche hit entitled "Amo 'Ni".
As a musical director in the 80s, Bob Aves worked with most of the major Filipino pop and rock acts, but in the 90's concentrated his efforts in helping to promote contemporary culture-based Philippine music. This later genre gave him a distinct style as a musical scorer for documentaries and other film projects, as well as audio-visual presentations.

As a record producer, Bob Aves, together with Grace Nono, cultural activist, continues to make beautiful music, starting from a string of collaborations that had blossomed into a host of diverse citations. His projects to date include both commercial and educational titles namely: Aga Mayo Butocan: "Earth Kulintang" (1995, Tao Music, with Grace Nono); Pinikpikan: "Metronomad" (1996, Tao Music, with Grace Nono); Rocky Lazatin: "Hindi Kita Iiwan" (1996, Star Records); Waling-Waling: "Earth Flight" (1997, Star Records); The Jerks: "The Jerks" (1997, Star Records, and NU 107 Awardee for 1998 Rock Album of the Year); Grace Nono: "Isang Buhay" (BMG Pilipinas, with Grace Nono, and Katha Awardee for 1998 Producer of the Year and nine other awards); Sindao Banisil: "Pakaradiaan" (1997, Tao Music, with Grace Nono, winner of 1998 Katha Best Indigenous Album); Bo Razon: "Biyahero" (1998, BMG Pilipinas); Hanunuo Mangyan: "Marino" (1998, Tao Music, with Grace Nono); Jong Cuenco: "Imagine" (1999, BMG Pilipinas); Grace Nono: "Hulagpos" (Arugaan Ng Kalakasan, Katha Awardee for Best World Music Album and four other awards); Session Road: "Session Road" (2000, Star Records); and Pinikpikan: "Atas" (1999, Tao Music and Water Dragon).

About the Author :
Richie Quirino, has known Bob Aves since the 70's and was Bob's schoolmate in Berklee College of Music in Boston. He majored in Professional Music and Audio Recording, and graduated Cum Laude. Currently, he is co-authoring a book entitled "The History of Jazz in the Philippines".