Mishka caps jazzfest

The not-to-be-missed grand finale of the ongoing Candid Jazz International Festival 2005 at the Chill Area of the Podium Mall on Friday, Oct. 7 stars the divine-sounding Mishka Adams. Mishka, who has just returned from a successful stint in London’s Soho district, made a big splash with her release of God Bless the Child a year ago. The album awakened interest in mainstream jazz among hip young Pinoys. Thanks to Mishka, these kids found out it is also cool to enjoy jazz.

Mishka, who is Filipino but lived for many years in London, recently launched a new special edition version of her hit album. This time around, God Bless the Child includes four new recordings. These are the standards The Very Thought of You, Change Partners, Love Came on Stealthy Fingers and one original, Somewhere in the Night plus videos of Where Do We Begin and God Bless the Child.

Mishka will perform cuts from her albums with her "superband," The Blue Echoes at the Candid jazzfest. This group is made up of Loui Talan on bass, Koko Bermejo on drums, Mike Guevarra on sax, Ria Villena-Osorio on piano, Arnold "Budeths" Casinto on percussion and Edgar "Koyang" Avenir on guitar.

The week-long event also features other artists who record for Candid. The festival started last Monday with the launch of Life & Times, Mon David’s Candid debut. Mon performed his mix of jazzy ballads, folk tunes and Latin rhythms with bassist Colby dela Calzada, sax artist Mike Guevarra, pianist Mark Lopez and drummer Jorge San Jose.

Last night had Filipino singer, songwriter and pianist Isha launching a new CD-lite under Candid’s new domestic label, Isla. This is Isha’s follow-up to her well-received Time & Again debut. She performed with bassist Simon Tan, drummer Jayvee Torres and guitarist Tinnie Esguerra.

Candid presents "Manila’s Jazz Superband" Johnny Alegre Affinity tonight. The group will do cuts from its self-titled album renamed Jazz Hound for its European release. Alegre has just returned from his conquest of the London jazz scene with bandmates Koko Bermejo on drums, Simon Tan on bass and Joey Quirino on piano.

Next on tap is one of the major music discoveries in the US today, the lovely 18-year-old newcomer Catherine Tuttle. A talented pianist, songwriter and singer with a remarkably adult voice, Tuttle started drawing comparisons with pop stars like Carole King, Laura Nyro and Tori Amos very early in her career. We will have the chance to find out how worthy she is of these comparisons when she performs live tomorrow evening at The Podium.

Tuttle will be in town for the launch of What They Will Find, her first album under the Zone7 label of Candid Records. The audience can expect to listen to her rendition of her own compositions included in the CD like the first single release, Alone, plus Free Bird, In Short, To Understand, Tell Me Something New, Ink on the Skin, Restless, Good Day Song, Kerosene, Vintage Heart and Ange Tombe, which she performs in French and the title cut.

It would be also nice to see her perform the only cover song she chose to do for What They Will Find. This is Rescue Me, one of the great soul classics from the ‘60s, previously recorded by legendary singers like Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt and Diana Ross. Many believe Tuttle will live up to the standards they set.

MTV Supahstar Search

The MTV Supahstar Search targets girls. Last year, MTV went off in search of the ultimate supah pop group. This time around, the world’s largest TV network is looking for a charismatic, confident, gorgeous female star for a hot new reality series. Through a series of screen tests and a grand finals night in November, MTV will choose one lucky female who will go home with P100,000 cash, an endorsement contract with Premiere condoms and a major role in the soon-to-be-launched show.

The MTV Supahstar 2: Search for Lady Premiere, the Next Reality TV Star is open to single ladies aged 21 to 28, who are at least 5’4", fluent in English and articulate. Ideal candidates must project well on and off camera. Interested applicants may register or upload a photo at www.fameandfortune.qlci.com. They have until Sunday, Oct. 9 to send in applications.