A benefit concert for veteran musician Willie Rebaño

Willie Rebaño has been a professional musician, arranger and educator for the past 40 years. (Rodin J S Kumar pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Long-time Malaysian musicians would be familiar with the name Willie Rebaño. For the past 40 years, the veteran performing artiste, arranger and music educator has been working in Malaysia along with his wife Maria Angela, herself a professional musician.

In a Facebook message posted on Saturday, Maria Angela shared that Willie, 69, is undergoing and recovering from procedures on his left leg as a result of diabetes, which he has been living with since 1996.

Over the years, his condition has led to neuropathy – nerve damage that leads to pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in parts of the body.

“This year Willie has suffered a series of infections in his left leg due to progressive neuropathy that has required angioplasty and amputation of all his left toes,” Maria Angela, 65, posted.

She added that he had also suffered strokes in 2001 and 2017, and developed a wound in his right leg in October last year.

“Presently, by the grace of God, he is at home recovering from the recent procedures,” she continued. Sadly, the situation has led to “endless medical bills” since May, including hospitalisation and the cost of numerous IV antibiotics.

“It has been very difficult for us to cover his medical bills, as he is unable to work apart from serving in our church’s music ministry,” she wrote.

Maria Angela and Willie are established performers in the local jazz music scene. (Maria Angela Q Rebaño Facebook pic)

In light of this, a fundraising concert will be held this Sunday, Nov 3, at the Kind A Blue club and restaurant at the KL Jazz and Arts Centre to help with the costs of Willie’s treatment.

The event will feature performances by 21 acclaimed musicians including Salamiah Hassan, Jimmy Sax, Grace Leong, V J Thison and Tom Anuar, as well as KL Jazz and Arts Centre co-founder Rodin J S Kumar, and Maria Angela herself.

“He is one of the finest pianists and professional musicians with whom I have played many times over the years,” Rodin told FMT Lifestyle. “I am most impressed with his ability to improvise – something that takes years of experience. This is one of Willie’s outstanding features – but above all, he is a very kind person.”

Invitation to the concert is by a donation of RM100 per pax, inclusive of a high-tea. For those who cannot attend, Maria Angela also welcomes personal donations in support of Willie’s cause.

To reserve your seat at the benefit concert, please send a WhatsApp message to 012-571 7759.

For personal contributions, kindly refer to Maria Angela’s Facebook post.

‘Concert for Willie Rebaño’

When:
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 4-7.30pm

Where:
Kind A Blue KL Jazz Club and Restaurant,
Wisma YPR, Taman Seputeh,
58000 Kuala Lumpur