The Man Got His Grove

Jimmy Cempron “The Man Got His Groove” By J. Roel Lungay “Music is not only the practice of perfecting one’s musical instrument to make people happy… It’s the power to bring people closer to GOD” (JC) Jimmy Cempron was born on July 22, 1961 in Cebu City, Philippines. He learned music at an early age and, at 9 years old, started to play the Bandoria (an ethnic instrument with 12 strings similar to the Mandolin). Few months later his prowess in musical instruments was tested when he was asked to play a Contra Bass for a Rondalla Group (like a quintet or sextet) because nobody wanted to play the instrument because of its humongous size (for a kid!). And the annual Rondalla Contest was then fast approaching! So Jimmy obliged to play the instrument and joined in the contest, finding himself in a very embarrassing situation because he was the “littlest thing” people laid their eyes on. It was from this small beginning that Jimmy began developing his speed and skill on the Bandoria and the Contra Bass, that earned him the title, “small but terrible kid!” from his colleagues and mentors alike. He later on earned a scholarship to the University of Southern Philippines. At a tender age of 15, Jimmy got his first taste of the band in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, where he, later on, played for several of them because everybody wanted him to play with them. He played lead guitar and vocals with his “Power Trio Band” and played bass and rhythm guitar with some others who, at that time, were a lot older and better “cats” than him - all for the sake of experience! At age 18, he tried his luck in Manila, Philippines, pursuing what he calls “a serious musician’s life.” But it was his few stints in Japan that allowed Jimmy the opportunity to sharpen his chops and to deepen his understanding or approach to music in general. In 1987, after playing for so many bands and music clubs, Jimmy was hired to work as a Session Musician/Guitarist by many of Manila’s upscale Recording Studios and Labels. Playing for almost all of the Philippines’ brightest and most celebrated stars, he became the “most in-demand session player” at the time. And most of the tracks he layed

were first takes, whether it be a solo or rhythm guitar track. In 1989, Jimmy won the coveted WEA/DYNA Records-sponsored “Night of the Guitars”, a guitar solo contest that was televised throughout the nation by GMA Channel 7. It was in 1990 when Jimmy decided to take an offer to play in Austria, an offer he could not resist because of the then difficult and financiallystrapped life of the musicians as well as the unsecured living conditions in Manila. Now Jimmy has permanently migrated in Austria with wife, Ludy, and two daughters, Jimmylou and Mevan. Now based in Northern Austria, after so many years of playing on different musical gigs all over Europe with so many different bands and making cover songs as a side-man, Jimmy added one more dimension to his musicality by starting to write and arrange his own songs. Besides songwriting and arranging, he also produced CD projects for upcoming singers and artists. His versatility as a musician and singer allows him to produce music that encompasses musical genres: from hard-hitting Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz Fushion, Latin Rock to Dance, Pop, Rock n’ Soul and Adult Contemporary. This unique blend of his rich musical experience as well as his firsthand experience of Third World life has made Jimmy Cempron a very compassionate and socially aware musician. His message reveals what kind of person he truly is: God-fearing, loving, an enabler, a man for others… “and, of course, a little romantic!” Let the music of this “small but terrible” kid from Cebu, Philippines speaks for itself as the new musical journey of his life begins!