| Jazz |
Some projects are wilder than others—or at the very least, riskier. And here we have one such endeavor: a duo featuring two instruments rarely heard in conversation. How does one achieve a perfect balance between two such distinctive voices, each fully capable of filling the sonic space on its own? The answer lies in the hands of two exceptional artists, as is the case here—saxophonist, composer, and educator Matthew Muñeses, alongside Riza Printup, who shares the same artistic pedigree as her counterpart.
“When I think of love songs from other cultures,” explains the saxophonist, “the lyrics often rely on allegory and analogy. Kundiman, on the other hand, are far more direct in their expression. They simply say, ‘I love you,’ or ‘You are as beautiful as this or that,’ or ‘You make me feel this way.’ I immediately knew that these songs would be exquisite when interpreted with a harp.”
Minimalist in its structure, this album is the fruit of a shared musical vision, in which both artists have found common ground, elevating each piece through poetry and romance. Aspiring musicians will find much to admire here—a masterclass in how to make two seemingly opposite instruments not only coexist but sing in perfect harmony. It is a daring endeavor, one that requires immense skill and sensitivity to bring to fruition.
While performing the music of Rizal with a Chicago-based quintet on Noli Me Tángere, Muñeses was struck by the raw emotion of the kundiman, leading him to seek a more intimate instrumentation for his new album, Pag-Ibig Ko Vol. 1. He and Printup first met a decade ago at a Filipino jazz event in California. Struck by the refinement of her playing, Muñeses immediately thought of her for this project. What he did not know was that, despite having grown up immersed in OPM (Original Pilipino Music), Printup had been familiar with kundiman since childhood. “She had a deep sensitivity for this music,” Muñeses confides.
Born and raised in the United States, both Muñeses and Printup are first-generation Americans. For them, connecting with this music is an act of pride and homage to their roots. Muñeses embarked on this project with the encouragement of his mentor, Miguel Zenón, who himself has woven his Puerto Rican heritage into his work. For Muñeses, embracing his Filipino lineage is a way of pushing back against the prejudices he has faced as an Asian American.
“At a time when anti-Asian sentiment is on the rise in the United States, I feel both grateful for the life I have here and outraged by the injustices that persist… But I have also learned to take pride in a heritage that offers me a unique perspective on what the ‘American Dream’ truly means for those who were not born into it.”
Every artist is shaped by their cultural origins. In the United States, the singularity lies in the constant blending of these cultures, a fusion that gives rise to truly original artistic creations. This album is my Coup de Cœur for April—for all the qualities it embodies, for the depth of its vision, and because I know it will inspire you to explore the work of these two extraordinary musicians.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, March 4th 2025
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