Holmes (2)

HOLMES is a Groove based Soul band from Manila. The band is made up of some of the most talented musicians in the scene today. Band Members Jesus Jaime AKA "Jay" Ortega - Vocals Marco De Leon - Guitar Joko Reantaso - Guitar Derek Ileto - Bass Benjo Robles - Drums Ken Carandang - Keys Ronald Tomas - On Sax Abdel Aziz - DJ Beats & Loops We have also been blessed to have had the chance to work with Ria Villena Osorio, and Wowee Posadas on Keys, Reli De Vera on Drums, Princess Ibañez on Violin, Deej Rodriguez on Percussions, Cookie Chua on Vocals, Tirso Rippol on Guitar and some of the best Horn players in the country today. Jesus Jaime AKA "Jay" Ortega began writing songs for Holmes around February of 2017 - After having written several songs, he asked guitarists Marco De Leon and Joko Reantaso to join him, to try and put a semblance of arrangements to the songs. Thanks to both guitarists, and their fervent enthusiasm, the songs turned out to be ones that would resonate with Jay. Originally, Jay really wanted to form the group with Bassist/Producer Louie Talan, who was the real reason Jay wanted to do the project in the first place. Jay, armed with songs that already had some working parts, had Louie step in and take control of producing the album alongside him. Louie and Jay started reworking the songs, and along the way, wrote new ones that would eventually end up as album tracks. Which leads us to where the band is today. The album features 10 tracks, all of which were either written by Jay, or written by Louie, and/or collaborated as a songwriting duo by both musicians. It should also be mentioned that guitarists Marco and Joko have also played a very integral part in the arrangement and songwriting process. While the album was being written and recorded, Jay stumbled upon and met prolific DJ Abdel Aziz. And has since joined the group. He is also an integral part on at least 2 tracks on the album. Since recording started, quite a few amazing session players have come to lend a hand in making the album come to life. Pianist Wowee Posadas, Drummer Reli de Vera, Percussionist Deej Rodriguez, Violinist Princess Ibañez, Wowie Ansano on Trumpet, Cookie Chua on Backing Vocals, and many more. As you can see, the Holmes lineup isn't something to sneeze about, yet the band would rather not be called or labelled a super group, and instead would rather be known as passionate musicians that are after one goal... To give you the best music they can possibly give. Soul music that grooves.