musica brasileira
samba e bossa nova
Guarana is the leading proponent of both traditional and authentic Bossa Nova and Samba in the Philippines. Formed in November 2001, the group continues to perform in Café Havana in Greenbelt 3, Makati every Tuesday and Saturday as well as in beach resorts, bars & restaurants, hotels, jazz and arts festivals, corporate events and private parties.
Guarana was featured in a Brazilian TV show called "Fantastico Ao Mundo" on TV Globo Brasil which was aired on primetime TV nationwide in Brazil in July 2004.
Guarana is composed of the following members:
Eileen Sison (lead vocals/band leader) – awarded last September 2005 by the Brazilian Embassy for her “invaluable cooperation in the promotion of Brazilian music in the Philippines”. Eileen makes regular trips to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil to attend the Carnival in Rio and to learn more about Brazilian music and culture. She can speak, sing and write songs in Brazilian Portuguese. She is also the Founder and Dance Director of Escola de Samba de Manila, a samba school (composed of drummers and dancers) she founded in September 2005 headquartered at Steps Dance Studio in Makati every Saturday. She is also the founder of the Bossa Nova Club of the Philippines. She now hosts a radio segment called “Understanding Bossa Nova” which airs 5 times a day (11am, 2pm, 4pm, 8pm, 10pm), Monday thru Saturday on Crossover 105.1 FM. She is also currently the Sales & Marketing Director of Contract Design (office furniture company).
Michael Guevarra (saxophone/flute) – one of the country’s top sax players. Michael has played for international artists like Stevie Wonder, Dianne Schuur, Kevyn Lettau, Eumir Deodato, etc. and the country’s top local concert and recording artists such as Gary, Martin, Sharon, Jaya, ZsaZsa, Ogie, Janno, Regine, you name it. Michael has also been with the Faculty of the University of the Philippines College of Music for over 7 years now. He is also one of the veteran sax players of the UP Jazz Ensemble. Michael has just recently returned from the Java Jazz Festival where he performed together with a sax quartet he formed, Saxophoro.
Mike Ponce de Leon (vocals/conga/timbal) – Mike has a long and impressive track record of show bands he has joined through the years, the most recent of which is latin band Arriba (regulars at Café Havana, too).
Tom Marco (acoustic guitar) – teaches classical guitar; recorded bossa nova compositions of Jose Mari Chan.
Ike Ijiran (bass) – like Mike, Ike also has a very long track record of show bands he has joined that have traveled around the world playing with bands.
Arwin Nava (drums) – is the drummer of the UP Jazz Ensemble, also the percussionist of Radio Active Sago Project, and the drummer of Wahijuara. He learned Afro-Brazilian rhythms on percussion under the tutelage of Bo Razon.
Richie Quirino (bongo) – Richie is the Past President of the Jazz Society of the Philippines. He authored a book and a documentary on the History of Jazz in the Philippines.
Jon Abundo (trumpet) - Jon is also a member of the UP Jazz Ensemble and joined Brownbeat All Stars and The Real Groove before joining Guarana.