Ascension Samples at Alpha Music

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Ascension

Bianca was introduced to music in her early years. She was quickly drawn to song and dance. Her father was a musician himself, singing or banging percussions when he got the chance. Although he never made it a career, it was obvious he was Bianca’s first real influence and reason why music became a foundation in her. Her family would enjoy watching movie musicals, listening to and singing songs from artists such as the Manhattan Transfer.

Music then extended to her life in school as she participated in both singing and dance routines. She was one of the top cheer dancers from elementary until the end of her college life. During her 3rd year in high school, she and her friends formed a small group singing Motown songs and the like. They entered the band scene merging with a group of musicians when they got to college. From then on, Bianca realized it was more than a hobby, it had become her life.

In the next years, her band was losing and adding members constantly, changing from one name to the next, playing in venues here and there. It was getting too hard as it became work. The band scene was growing too quickly. It was in the trade and exchange of band members that she finally met a drummer named Ryan who unknowingly would become her husband to be.

Ryan was exposed to music in an early age as well. His father was a pianist in his early years. As he entered high school, Ryan’s sister urged him to enroll in a local music school in Baguio City to learn drums. He enjoyed it and later became a teacher in that same school at age 16. After a year as a drum instructor, Ryan entered the local band scene in a hotel playing their favorite tunes. He developed relationships with other musicians in the locality at his age. He then met a drummer from Manila that soon became a major influence in his drumming career. His friends motivated him to try pursuing his music down Manila, and he did around 1997. He auditioned in a band where he found his soon to be wife.

The couple’s first band together was called “Downtown” playing covers, mostly R&B pop songs. It was during these years that Ryan and Bianca got married. And in year 2000, “Downtown” played its final gig and parted ways.

Ascension was born in 2001 with 6 members: Ryan on drums, Jun del Rosario keyboards, Dexter Javier on bass, Allan Casal on guitars, two singers - Diego Jante on male vocals and Bianca. Originally they were put together to look for shows they could do abroad. However, during their first year together they were included in a band breakout contest hosted by RX 93.1. To their surprise, they won the competition and won themselves a recording contract. It was an incredible night for the band and for the couple. Ryan and Bianca never imagined they would do an album. Long nights of creating ,making and inventing followed. They had to put their originals on hold as they were set to leave for a 3-month contract in Malaysia for their first trip abroad.

By April of 2002, the members of Ascension returned to Manila but now having different things in mind. In a nutshell, the couple decided that they would no longer join the rest of the band to play abroad. With the recording contract still on hold, Ryan and Bianca were worried that the record label would not allow them to continue production with only 2 members left. Unexpectedly, the record company agreed that they finish it. With Ryan on drums, and Bianca on vocals with little knowledge of piano and harmony, the couple persevered with faith in God that He will provide for their every need. Ascension transformed itself from a band, to a single artist, one flesh, a marriage. As the couple continued to produce and create music together, they became more involved with their church, became members of the worship team, and played almost every Sunday since then.

With the help of other musicians and songwriters, Ascension finally finished their first album. Their songs are R&B with a jazzy feel and a rub of most of their musical influences. Their songs carry a contagious groove of hip-hop funk. With the album released on February 2005, the couple believes God had simply stretched both their musical abilities and their faith.