Jade band ,Moosomin Saskatchewan

Jade Band 1978 to 1981
Levy Abad, September 2016

Researching on the Live band scene of Winnipegs Filipino community led me to Mario Tuazon who provided me the details of Jade Band which was formed in 1978 and lasted up to 1981. The members of the band were Conrado Cordoviz (second lead guitar), Mario Tuazon (bass guitar), Oscar Lopez, the awesome Chilean guitar man who plays 1st lead and Gerry Atwell who plays the keyboard.  Mario described Oscar, over the phone, as really talented, but stayed only with the band for a short time. Other members included Gigi Zapata, one of the singers of the band and who was a professional singer in Japan before coming to Winnipeg; Danny Zapata (brother of Gigi) played the keyboard too. The drummer of the band, according to Conrado “Conrad “ Cordoviz, was Robin Morrier who was the former drummer of Cobra Band . The band performed in different hotels in Winnipeg and also outside the city like Saskatoon. “We were a travelling band. During this time Levy, there were still no disc jockeys and karaoke was non- existent.  Live band was really big back in the days,” Mario Tuazon explained over the phone.

Curious about the songs that they performed  from 78 to 80's , I gave Conrad Cordoviz a call to ask for a short list and he said that as far as he can recall they played Rock and Roll songs  from Eric Clapton's cover of Cocaine by J.J Cale, which was released in 1976. Gigi Zapata sung Pat Benatar's ,"Hit me with your best shot", "My Funny Valentine" and  hard rock " Hell is for Children" of the album "Crimes of Passion" back in the 80s. Gerry Atwell also shared that Oscar Lopez also sings Spanish songs. They also covered some John Lennon songs in the album "Double Fantasy" which was released in the 1980's too. Well. usually a band , just to remain competitive has to cover the popular songs of the time. I remember when I was still singing at bars as a folk singer in the early 90s in the Philippines , you have to sing what the people want to remain in business.

During our September 10, 2016 conversation, Mario mentioned some events that transpired during that time. He explained to me that in the 70 s and early 80s, the music scene was really tough as there were a lot of great bands in the city doing it professionally.  He explained that bands that play in hotels were really good because they have to undergo auditions.

Conrad Cordoviz and Mario Tuazon

Conrado Cordoviz ,Jade Band 1978 

Most of the information shared by Mario Tuazon was confirmed by Conrad Cordovis when I finally met him at the wake of Henry Catoliko (Clarinet player for St. Edwards Praise Band), September 15, 2016  at Glen Eden where I found most of the senior musicians of the 70s. Conrad Cordovis said that he was also a member of Cobra band just like Robin Morrier who now resides in British Columbia. He also confirmed all the bands members and places where they  gigged, as relayed by Butch Jularbal and Mario Tuazon. After my interview with Conrad, I texted Butch Jularbal the new information and he replied that, indeed, Conrad and him go way back when they were both in Baguio City, not only as fellow musicians, but also as friends.  Anyway, Conrad Cordoviz was also a member of the St. Edwards Praise Band for almost 17 years now. He shared that when he left Rockestra / Offshore Express, he started devoting his time with the Church.

Searching Facebook and checking out with some friends in the Chilean community by posting an old picture given to me by Conrad Cordovis of him and a certain Oscar the Chilean guitar player, I got a response that the guy was Oscar Lopez who is now considered a Latino guitar legend here in Canada. Immediately, I browsed the Facebook account of Oscar and saw a photo posted with Gerry Atwell's caption of a later version of the Jade band with Gigi Zapata, Frank "Bambi" Holder, Oscar Lopez, Robin Morrier and Gerry Atwell sometime in the summer of 1980 and in Gerry's caption it also says, "This is how I earned my tuition for the next term at U of M."

Excitedly, I sent a message to Gerry Atwell about the Jade band and right away, Gerry added me as a friend. Gerry told me that he was 20 to 21 years old during the time. I asked him what can he say about his Filipino rock and roll buddies and he replied,"Those were great times with beautiful people." Gerry texted me that he was not only with Jade, but also with Asia band and Offshore Express. These bands were mostly comprised of Filipino members and  Gerry was at home with them. Out of appreciation for his help with naming members in the old pictures, I searched online for something to described  Gerry Atwell and here is what I found: "Gerry Atwell has performed on keyboards and vocals in some of Winnipeg's favourite bands including Ministers of Cool, Rockalypso and Eagle and Hawk with whom he won a Juno award. Gerry studied Theatre with University of Manitoba's  Black Hole Company and has written and produced stage plays, films and radio drama. Ring of Fire is Gerry's first appearance at Rainbow Stage as a performer" (www.rainbowstage.ca).

Front Gigi, Conrad, Robin,Mario,Gerry,Danny and  Oscar 80s

I got some messages from musicians who met some of the old guards of the Filipino rock and roll scene and they shared that Jade was organized sometime in 1983-84, but according to Mario Tuazon, Jade started in 1978 and lasted until Rockestra emerged in 1982. I strongly believed that the name of the band was revived later. I was hoping to get more information. Unfortunately, there are no documents or even pictures to confirm this. I have to rely on oral narratives. This is not surprising, because during this time, no one really bothers about community bands that perform at hotels and bars. This is the reason why bands and the events where they played remain only in the minds of artists and the audience who witnessed their performances.