Album Notes

About Ben Luis

Born in the Philippines and raised state-side, I was introduced to the bass in '62 when I joined the Intruders, an all Filipino band in San Francisco and forerunner of local Asian bands. I was influenced by rhythm & blues, top40's, latin, soul and a bit of jazz heard on the radio. In the 70's I was in the cover bands Mundo, Pearl and MaxB. We played at clubs like the Peppermint Tree and Orphan Annie's (San Francisco) and in the south bay circuit and were featured on a TV show hosted by Rev. Cecil Williams. We opened for Cal Tjader (Great American Music Hall), Mango Santa Maria (Dolores Park), Malo, and Bette Midler (Embarcadero Center). I was also a member of Kamikazi, one of the first Asian Jazz Fusion bands in San Francisco along with Makoto, Eddie Marshall, and Eiji Tsuchiya .

I've played with the likes of Flip Nunez, Babatunde Lea, Rudy Tenio, Armando Peraza, Art Khu, Ted Strong, Raul Rekow (Santana), Eddie Marshall, Jon Jang. The awesome duo, Melecio Magdaluyo and David Yamasaki are featured on several tracks of SERENADE THE NIGHT. I got hyped last year backin up the Temptations when they were in town and recording on David Yamasaki's FROM ME TO YOU and Carlos Zialcita's EVOLUTION.

These days you can find me playing at various bay area venues including Rick's Restaurant (SF), Scott's Seafood (Palo Alto), Cantakerous Fish (Mt. View), Anna's Jazz Island (Berkeley), Berkeley Downtown Club, at art and wine fairs throughout the greater bay area and I continue to play and support events for the Filipino community. I serve as contemporary band director for two Methodist churches in Alameda, fusing hymns and worship songs with modern rhythms with a contemporary feel and hosting a jazz Sunday service once a month. I'll be part of the 2nd annual Filipino Jazz Festival (December 9&10)at Catalina Bar and Grill is Los Angeles.

I share my soul and express my love for music through my cd, SERENADE THE NIGHT. My original pieces speak of my appreciation for the special time in the evening when the night presents soothing calmness with mystery and passion.