Dondi Ledesma

Dondi Ledesma
Birth name Rizal Dondi Ledesma
Also known as DNDI
Born 1959
Origin Philippines
Died February 24, 2009
Makati, Philippines
Genres Progressive rock, Pinoy rock
Occupation(s) Independent musician and producer, session bassist, bass instructor
Instruments bass guitar, piccolo bass guitar, keyboards, flute, sequencer programming, and vocals
Labels Independent
Associated acts Pepe Smith
Wally Gonzalez
Mike Hanopol
Juan Dela Cruz Band
Asin
Edmund Fortuno
Anakbayan
Jun Lopito
Johnny Alegre Trio
Website www.dndi.tk
Notable instruments
bass guitar


Rizal Dondi Ledesma (d. Feb. 24, 2009), also known by the stage moniker, DNDI, was a Filipino bassist who was the recognized pioneer of Philippine progressive rock.[1]

His mainstream musical career was most prominent for his supporting role as the virtuoso electric bassist behind the legendary Pinoy rock guitarist, Wally Gonzalez, and drummer-singer-composer Joey “Pepe” Smith, the main proponent of the Pinoy Rock movement.[2]

He performed in a handful of historically significant recordings, including two albums by the Filipino folk-rock group Asin, and Pepe Smith's only solo outing, Idiosyncracies. In 1991, he began independently producing and recording a series of one-man albums,[3] alternately playing bass guitar, piccolo bass guitar, keyboards, flute, sequencers, computer programming and vocals.[1]
He also recorded with the groups, Asin and Anakbayan. He had started collaborating with Johnny Alegre (frequently with drummer Paolo Manuel) in a jazz-rock trio over a two-year period when illness overtook him.

In his live performances, DNDI was a crowd favorite because his bass guitar demonstrated qualities of a lead guitar instrument.[3]

Ledesma died of clinical heart failure on February 24, 2009 at the Makati Medical Center, where he was confined after complaining of shoulder pains and wobbly legs in the morning of January 9.[3]

Solo discography


Note: All aforementioned albums were produced, recorded, published and distributed by Dondi Ledesma through private, independent channels.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Cruz, Ronnie (2009). "Dondi Ledesma". Indyprog.com:The Definitive Guide to Filipino Progressive Rock.
  2. "Dondi Ledesma (DNDI)". Online Registry of Filipino Musical Artists and their Works. Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit. 2009. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Concepcion, Pocholo (2009-02-24). "Bassist Ledesma passes away". Philippine Daily Inquirer.