The ‘simple’ Jim Brickman

Internationally renowned musician, composer, arranger and piano virtuoso Jim Brickman will be back in Manila to headline a two-night concert event on March 15 and 16, 8 p.m. at the PICC Plenary Hall featuring the megastar Sharon Cuneta and Joey Generoso of Side A band.

Jim, who is behind the well-loved songs Valentine, By Heart, The Gift among others, will be in the country also to promote his latest album Simple Things under BMG Records.

The concert, billed Jim Brickman: Simple Things is a production of Vis-a-vis Entertainment Corp., in cooperation with JLF Organization. Vis-a-vis Entertainment is the same group which produced Jim’s successful 1998 concert also held at the PICC with guests Regine Velasquez, Ariel Rivera and the CompanY.

Sharon Cuneta is Jim’s personal choice as guest in this concert. The two have known each other well when they did a collaboration for two songs which form part of Sharon’s latest album under BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. Her carrier single Where’s The Good in Goodbye? from the album All I Ever Want was penned by Jim, along with In Your Eyes, the megastar’s duet with Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau. These songs were recorded in Hong Kong where Jim and Sharon met for the first time last year.

Jim is excited to work with Joey Generoso having heard that the latter has successfully collaborated with other foreign acts in the past, the most recent of which was his guesting stint at the David Benoit concert at the CCP. And of course, Joey has one of the best voices in the local music scene.

(For ticket inquiries and reservations, call Ticketworld at 8915610 or visit all major National Bookstore branches, Robinsons Department Stores Galleria and Malate, Tower Records Makati and Alabang and Music Museum. For inquiries on the March 15 show, call JLF Organization at 6347776 or 6384243 or 6384244.)

Jim Brickman: Simple Things is sponsored by Hyatt Regency Manila and Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, Citilite 88.3, 103.5 K-Lite and Wave 89.1.

Jojo Alejar as Master J

He was hysterical and crying in his carrier single Ngumangawang Pag-ibig taken from the album of the same title. Now, Master J is ready to dream in his second single, Sa Panaginip.

The sophomore single is about a fantasy that Master J has with his ideal girl. Like his first single, Sa Panaginip is expected to be a hit.

Master J is Jojo Alejar, a former That’s Entertainment member. His album is now released in high quality cassette tapes and compact discs at all leading record shops under Alpha Records.

Quite Natural

Music and airline magnate Lou Pearlman, the man behind the boy band Phenomenon and the success of the Backstreet Boys and ‘ N SYNC, has a new boy band in his roster.

Called Natural, the group is composed of Ben Bledshoe, "J" Josh Horn, Michael Johnson, Patrick King, Jr. and Marc Torenzi. The five members came together in the summer of 1999 and began singing original, a cappella songs for anyone who would listen. They were eventually signed to a local production company and began recording demos for presentation to major record labels.

Natural got their break in April 2000 when SAT.1, a major television network in Germany decided to air over a three-week period a TV show that followed the group everywhere they went. The show lorded over the ratings in Germany and Natural naturally visited the country to meet their German fans.

It was upon their return from Germany that Natural caught the interest of Lou Pearlman who signed them immediately after being blown away by the group’s talent.

Last year, Natural released their debut single Put Your Arms Around Me, written by Steve Kipner and produced by Ali Dee. A few months later, the single was certified gold and it is on its way to Platinum.

Currently, the group just finished recording their self-titled debut album. They will soon be taping a Fox Family Channel concert to air this month in the United States.

Natural’s debut album is available in CD and cassette formats in record bars nationwide.