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John Ray Finds His Forever

by: sai-ailand

Just when a lot of people have started coining the clich walang forever, here comes a talented
artist saying, I Found Forever.

John Ray Pagalan, or simply John Ray, is one man who no one would believe will follow
trends and norms. Seeing him and meeting him in person would tell you that this talented artist is
a no nonsense man. When you talk to him, John Ray would look straight into your eyes and you
will realize he is a man of substance.

John Ray has a very infectious positive outlook in life that an hour of conversation with him
will lift your dull afternoon. Every word he utters bears his soul and you will absorb the passion
he puts in his music. Of course, this artist is passionate with his work, you can feel his melodies
running through your veins when he plays the passionate instrument a lot of lovers traipse to
saxophone.

Yes, John Ray is a saxophonist, following the ranks of Chuck Mangione, Kenny Gorlick or
Kenny G to his fans, and our very own Jay Cayuca. When you see and hear John Ray play his
saxophone, you suddenly get entranced, hypnotized even, that you seem to be following the pied
piper of Hamelin. His music will bring you to another dimension.

A JOURNEY

Career was, and probably still is, a travel path for John Ray. He has gone far and wide in search
of the purpose his talent is driven for. He started as a member of Nyoy Volantes Manos both as
a member of the band and as a composer. He collaborated with Nyoy and the other members that
he thought this was the true sense of his being a musician. Obviously, he realized this was not
what he wanted and that there was more to himself if he treads other waters.

So, off to Japan John Ray went and tried other worlds as he happily puts it. He found it funny
to be trying his luck in the Land of the Rising Sun. Looking at his features, one would often
mistake John Ray as Japanese. In fact, he somewhat resembles Japanese singer Ted Ito who
popularized the song Ikaw Pa Rin in the late 80s. In Japan, John Ray tried another instrument,
yes, the saxophone, and this is his first encounter with one of his forevers.

He found saxophone to be one with him when it comes to music. His passion blended with all
the keys and notes he has to play for his melodies. The fluidity of every press of the keys make
him so immersed that he knew he has found his true ally. He played the saxophone like a skilled
and graceful artisan.

Still, John Ray felt he is missing something. He cant put a finger to it but he knew there is
something that his soul craves for. Not just fame and fortune but something more important than
his popularity. He decided to return to Manila
HERE TO STAY

When he got back to the Philippines, he found that the local music scene is flourishing but still
lacks the glitter. Dont get him wrong, John Ray is not putting Filipino artists down. He found
local artists the best the international scene can really have if only they are brave and bold
enough to really create music that is truly Filipino in form and content, not just a copy or take off
from the nauseating international music genres and works.

Now, John Ray found it enticing to create works through his skill and artistry in playing the
saxophone. His album John Ray Next Phase indeed showcases the next phase in his musicality.
Though he still waxes some foreign works, he has now original compositions in his album which
are truly Filipino, in mind and soul.

His carrier single, I Found Forever, makes him truly proud of himself, both as an artist and as a
person. He boasts of the single as a mark of Filipino ingenuity and artistry. As he said during a
conversation, Filipinos should create music that is truly Filipino, not a mere copy of foreign
counterparts, a sound-a-likea copycat. It is time we create a distinct kind of music that no
matter where in the world we can be in, we can stand loud and proud and say hey, thats
Filipino, our own p-pop.

Indeed, John Ray Pagalan knows what he wants and how to do it. He has started walking
towards his goals and stop living in fairytales. He has found a home in saxophone and in his very
own words, I know I Found Forever in my saxophone here in my own home, the
Philippines.

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