The concert, which was held on Nov 3 at the Kind A Blue Club and Restaurant at the KL Jazz and Arts Centre, was tremendously successful. Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Willie’s wife, Maria Angela Rebaño, shared that tickets were sold out and she even had to turn people down.
“We’re very thankful that you helped us to highlight our needs. It’s not easy being a musician, especially at our age and in my condition,” said Willie, 69.
He is also moved by the support shown by the music community. “I didn’t know that a lot of my friends from the music scene cared about me. They all played for free,” he added.
Apart from the couple, artistes who performed at the event included Salamiah Hassan, Jimmy Sax, Grace Leong, V J Thison, Tom Anuar and Rodin J S Kumar.
The Rebaños, who hail from the Philippines, have made Malaysia their home since the 1980s, and a name for themselves in the local jazz music scene.
Willie, whose music career spans 50 years, was once a pianist and arranger with Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s orchestra. He has played for acclaimed artistes including Sheila Majid, Zain Azman, Sharifah Aini, Ning Baizura and Hetty Koes Endang.
Other highlights of his music career include performing with legendary Welsh singer Shirley Bassey, American percussionist Willie Bobo, and The Platters, an American vocal group.
Ever passionate to share his knowledge with the younger generation, the amiable Willie has also lectured at Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (Aswara), University College Sedaya International, and International College of Music over the years.
While Willie is incredibly dynamic on the piano and keyboard, his wife also lights up the stage with her powerful and soaring vocals. A professional singer since she was 17, Maria Angela has performed in Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, among others.
The 65-year-old has shared the stage with such notable names as Ernie Watts, Randy Bernsen, Earth, Wind and Fire, Jeremy Monteiro, Michael Veerapen and Aubrey Suwito.
The couple were also part of Asiabeat, an all-percussion ensemble started by their longtime friend, the late Lewis Pragasam.
A match made in (music) heaven
Despite their many successes, Willie shared that it is serving in their church’s music ministry that strengthens their bond.
And while they both hail from the Philippines, they first met at a jazz club in Kuala Lumpur! “We were friends first,” Willie said with a smile.
But they found – and still find – each other attractive; and, with a mutual passion for music, it was only inevitable that love eventually blossomed between them.
Despite the highlights throughout their careers, there have been low moments as well – such as Pragasam’s sudden passing.
In fact, the couple had been performing with Pragasam during a Christmas concert in December when he suffered heart failure onstage.
“I was playing a solo on my keyboard and he looked at me. I thought he wanted to signal me about the music, but then he collapsed,” Willie recalled.
His passing, Maria added, was especially shocking as he had appeared upbeat, and had shared about his love for Sri Lankan food before the performance.
Nevertheless, the couple’s love for music remains strong even after four decades. These days, they continue to serve in their church’s music ministry, perform at jazz clubs and functions, as well as teach classes – as much as Willie’s condition allows.
As for their love for jazz, Maria Angela mused: “Through jazz, one learns how to adjust to others and give them space to express themselves.”
“You learn to respect other musicians and their talents,” Willie added. “This is something that can be applied in other aspects of one’s daily life as well.”