Simon Tan

Simon Leonardo Protomartir Tan, born August 13, 1970, has been a musician since he was a teenager. He is the youngest child and only son of two optometrists.

Background

He first took lessons in classical guitar at age 13 from the Yamaha School of Music under Benj Zialcita, later progressing to electric guitar on his own. He and his friends then formed a band while in high school playing mostly new wave music. At the time he played lead guitar and vocals. He learned to play the piano and drums on his own and aspired to become a professional musician.

In 1988 he enrolled in the College of Music of the University of the Philippines and majored in guitar. It wasn't until 1992 that he began his career as a professional musician and shifted from electric guitar to bass. The change occurred out of necessity. At the time there was a shortage of bass players and, as a newly married man, he needed a job so decided to take the post and learn bass along the way.

He has since become one of Manila's premier session bass players.

Influences

Simon's influences are varied and numerous. They include local (Filipino) musicians such as Binky Lampano (whom he performed with) and Meong Pacana of Ugoy Ugoy.

His foreign influences include great musicians and singers such as Roscoe Beck, Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Miles Davis, Charlie Haden, Billie Holiday, James Jamerson, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, John Pattitucci, Wayne Shorter, and Frank Sinatra .... to name but a few.

Recordings

• Eraserheads Tribute Album (Ultraelectromagnetic Jam) - 2005
• Ka Roger (This Planets Blue)
• Kulay (Flavor of the Moment) - 1993
• Lampano Alley (Back to the Blues Alley) - 2003
• Legit Misfitz (Ekis Pinoy)
• Novia (Debut Album)
• Parokya Ni Edgar (Christmas Album)
• Skarlet
• The Company (For The Long Run)
• WDOUJI (Ground Zero)
• WDOUJI (Zen & The Art of Dressmaking)

Performed with

Jazz

• Happy People
• Johnny Alegre Affinity
• Lampano Lounge Committee
• Masters of Trio
• Nota Republic
• Shower Of Flour (Freedom Bar's House Band)
• Skarlet
• Subrosa
• Ugoy Ugoy
• UP Jazz Ensemble
• WDOUJI - Witch Doctors of Underground Jazz Improvisation

Blues

• Bluesviminda
• Lampano Alley

Rock

• Maria (later called Mariya's Mistress}

Pop

• 11th Hour
• Katrine Madsen (front act)
• Kulay

Folk

• Grace Nono
• Noel Cabangon

Theater

• P.E.T.A. (Ang Palasyo Ni Valentin)
• Repertory Philippines (Blood Brothers - The MusicAL)