Jimmy Cempron

“The Man Got His Groove”

By J. Roel Lungay

“Music is not only the practice of perfecting one’s musical instrument

to make people happy… It’s the power to bring people closer to GOD”
(JC)

Jimmy Cempron was born on July 22, 1961 in Cebu City, Philippines.
He learned music at an early age and, at 9 years old, started to play
the Bandoria (an ethnic instrument with 12 strings similar to the
Mandolin). Few months later his prowess in musical instruments was
tested when he was asked to play a Contra Bass for a Rondalla Group
(like a quintet or sextet) because nobody wanted to play the
instrument because of its humongous size (for a kid!). And the annual
Rondalla Contest was then fast approaching!

So Jimmy obliged to play the instrument and joined in the contest,

finding himself in a very embarrassing situation because he was the
“littlest thing” people laid their eyes on. It was from this small
beginning that Jimmy began developing his speed and skill on the
Bandoria and the Contra Bass, that earned him the title, “small but
terrible kid!” from his colleagues and mentors alike. He later on earned
a scholarship to the University of Southern Philippines.

At a tender age of 15, Jimmy got his first taste of the band in
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, where he, later on, played for several of them
because everybody wanted him to play with them. He played lead
guitar and vocals with his “Power Trio Band” and played bass and
rhythm guitar with some others who, at that time, were a lot older and
better “cats” than him - all for the sake of experience!

At age 18, he tried his luck in Manila, Philippines, pursuing what he

calls “a serious musician’s life.” But it was his few stints in Japan that
allowed Jimmy the opportunity to sharpen his chops and to deepen his
understanding or approach to music in general.

In 1987, after playing for so many bands and music clubs, Jimmy was
hired to work as a Session Musician/Guitarist by many of Manila’s
upscale Recording Studios and Labels. Playing for almost all of the
Philippines’ brightest and most celebrated stars, he became the “most
in-demand session player” at the time. And most of the tracks he layed
were first takes, whether it be a solo or rhythm guitar track.
In 1989, Jimmy won the coveted WEA/DYNA Records-sponsored “Night
of the Guitars”, a guitar solo contest that was televised throughout the
nation by GMA Channel 7.

It was in 1990 when Jimmy decided to take an offer to play in Austria,

an offer he could not resist because of the then difficult and financially-
strapped life of the musicians as well as the unsecured living conditions
in Manila. Now Jimmy has permanently migrated in Austria with wife,
Ludy, and two daughters, Jimmylou and Mevan.

Now based in Northern Austria, after so many years of playing on

different musical gigs all over Europe with so many different bands and
making cover songs as a side-man, Jimmy added one more dimension
to his musicality by starting to write and arrange his own songs.
Besides songwriting and arranging, he also produced CD projects for
upcoming singers and artists. His versatility as a musician and singer
allows him to produce music that encompasses musical genres: from
hard-hitting Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz Fushion, Latin Rock to Dance, Pop,
Rock n’ Soul and Adult Contemporary.

This unique blend of his rich musical experience as well as his first-
hand experience of Third World life has made Jimmy Cempron a very
compassionate and socially aware musician. His message reveals what
kind of person he truly is: God-fearing, loving, an enabler, a man for
others… “and, of course, a little romantic!”

Let the music of this “small but terrible” kid from Cebu, Philippines
speaks for itself as the new musical journey of his life begins!