The original Artstart band members had long envisioned to have a reunion concert and bring together onstage the performers who first started with the band.

“Matagal na gusto ng lahat mag-reunion pero naging patient kami sa pagdating ng tamang panahon,” Artstart founder and drummer Mar Dizon told ABS-CBN News.

Artstart band. Photo: Handout

“At eto na nga, dumating si Ricky (De Los Reyes) and Algada Entertainment. Si Ricky ang naging susi sa lahat. Tapos nag coordinate na si Elke (Saison-Ortiz)… at eto na kami ngayon.”

Guitarist and lead vocalist Pido Lalimarmo disclosed the idea for a reunion concert started last year when they decided to get together for a fundraiser.

“Then we got word that Ella May was coming home so tamang-tama. Then, through Elke (Ella's sister), we met Ricky who was interested in producing a show for us. So eto na, ang bilis.”

Bassist Soc Mina disclosed the reunion concert has been talked about among the members years ago.

“The idea for a reunion has been floated for nearly ten years now,” said flutist, saxophonist and vocalist Ronald Tomas. “But for this particular concert, the idea from my end came from Ella May's sister Elke, who I am currently bandmates with in a Steely Dan tribute band called The Black Cows.”

Keyboardist and vocals Elhmir Saison learned about the reunion concert from Dizon.

“The boys have done a quick last-minute reunion gig with Ella May before,” said female lead vocalist Gina Respall. “I tried to organize a reunion gig before the pandemic when I came back from the UK (United Kingdom), but things always came up which made everyone's availability quite challenging.

“Also, a reunion concert with Ella May seemed like a better idea and more meaningful. I even suggested that Cooky Chua should also join us, as she also became the band's female vocalist when they regrouped in 2018.”

Musical direction is by all the boys, who worked collaboratively on how to arrange the songs.

Lalimarmo and Respall happily attested there was really no need for convincing since everyone was more than willing to regroup and do the reunion concert.

“It wasn't difficult for everyone since I, for one, was really eager to make this plan a reality,” Mina asserted.

“There was no convincing needed as once the idea came to the ears of those who were asked, the answer was an immediate yes,” added Tomas.

“It just so happened,” said Saison.

Artstart band. Photo: Handout

The reunion concert will be on March 15 at the Music Museum.

All original members – drummer Mar Dizon, lead vocalist and guitarist Pido Lalimarmo, female lead vocals Ella May Saison and Gina Respall, flute, saxophone and vocals Ronald Tomas, keyboardist and vocals Elhmir Saison and Soc Mina – will perform in the reunion concert.

Unfortunately, Junjun Perez (bassist) and Nato Canlas (keyboardist), who both were in Artstart could not join the group for the reunion concert.

When Artstart disbanded in 1992, Ella May Saison lost no time in going solo. “Nag-solo ako, nag-album, then I went to the States for an offer of a solo album,” Saison said.

“Kami ni Ronald ay napuntang Parliament Syndicate,” shared Dizon. “Nauna sya umalis ng Artstart, at pag-alis ko in-offer din ako ng Parliament Syndicate.”

“I got into full-time session work and music director for concerts,” offered Mina. “The rest went into pursuing individual careers, different bands, solo artists, horn section and Ella migrated to the US.”

Tomas left Artstart before it disbanded. “I joined Parliament Syndicate and was one of those who formed it,” said Tomas. “Later, I was with the hard bop jazz group Wdouji in 2000-2004 and we released two music albums

“Other groups that I played with were Sammy Asuncion's Spy, Skarlet Swing Machine between 2004 and 2008 and then again between 2015 and 2022.

“Between 2008 and 2015, I worked on a cruise ship as a musician and as a musical director. After I stopped doing ships in 2015, I released a solo jazz album with my jazz group Ronald Tomas Nonet called 'Travels.'

“Right now, I am currently leading two groups, namely the traditional jazz outfit, Dixie Sheikhs, which plays 1920s to 1930s style jazz and the Ronald Tomas Collective, a jazz group that plays my originals exclusively.

Tomas is also a member of the AMP Big Band as a tenor sax player since 2017. Additionally, he is a music teacher at the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde in the Music Production Department of the School of Arts, Culture and Performance.

“I am also a PhD candidate majoring in composition at the UST Graduate School,” added Tomas.

Lalimarmo joined Anthem, with Elhmir, Junjun, Rolly Quizon (drums) and Oj Olaguer (vocals).  “Then I formed Pido with Take One, precursor to me going solo,” Lalimarmo said.

“I released two solo albums then I formed my trio which lasted for 4 to 5 years. Then I joined South Border for something like a year, then I was invited to play in Hong Kong for a Motown legend Bobby Taylor (artist, songwriter and producer) that lasted for four years.

“I went back home, continued my solo career, released a couple of singles and currently playing solo acoustic gigs and have my own band, Live House Project for live band situations and lastly Black  Cows, the Steely Dan tribute band.”

Elhmir joined different groups, while Respall also went solo then later joined theatrical productions.

The last time Artstart performed together with Ella May before they disbanded in 1992. “That served as her farewell gig before I took her place,” shared Respall. “I remember that it was such an energetic show.

“But as Artstart with me as the female lead vocalist, I think it was a back-to-back concert with Side A and Second Wind sometime in 1994.”

Artstart’s set list for the reunion concert came from group suggestions, as disclosed by Elhmir. That will include their signature songs during their time like “Stay Awake,” “One Temptation, “Till They Take My Heart Away” and original tunes from their album.

“It’s very exciting,” said Lalimarmo. “We haven't played most of the songs in a looong time.”