Can't have enough of Jane Monheit

There is a bonus track in Jane Monheit’s album Taking A Chance On Love. It is Over The Rainbow, the classic tune sung by Judy Garland in the movie Wizard Of Oz. In Jane’s case it is billed as a song from the original motion picture soundtrack of Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow.

I do not remember who Sky Captain is or what is the World Of Tomorrow. The film was probably forgettable. But I know the Grammy nominated Jane’s version of the song. In fact, the album is one of my favorites and is kept near the player for easy access whenever the mood hits me for some sweet jazz.

Monheit is one of today’s best jazz interpreters among the younger set. Her sweet tones, precise phrasing and easy approach to material turn out songs you can never have enough of. You should hear her take on smoky standards like In The Still Of The Night and Too Late Now. Her version of Bill is absolutely dreamy. Want something that bounces a bit? There is her duet of I Won’t Dance with Michael Bublé.

Other cuts in Monheit’s Taking A Chance On Love are Honeysuckle Rose, Taking A Chance On Love, Why Can’t You Behave, Do I Love You? I Should Care, Love Me Or Leave Me, Embraceable You, Dancing In The Dark and not to forget, the bonus track Over The Rainbow.

I do not know if Monheit will perform any of these when she goes live tonight at 7 at the Rockwell Tent. I hope she does because, she does them beautifully. This is the second night of the ongoing Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival which also features performances by local jazz groups like Brazz Munkeys, Romy Posadas, Thor and the New York-based Trio which is made up of Greg Murphy, Ariel dela Portilla and Ignacio Moran.

Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets. Call 911-5555 for details or log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph.

Like most of you out there who got the news early this week, I also asked if it is for real. This is about the Changing Lives: Timbaland Shock Value II Tour at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on March 27. It stars Timbaland, who is one of today’s top producers. He is the kind of guy music people call when they want a hit. And most of those are really big names.

That must be why he has no trouble getting stars to join his projects. And guess who he is bringing to perform in the Manila phase of his Shock Value II tour. Jojo, the teen star who sang Leave (Get Out) and, hold your breath, Justin Timberlake.

That’s right, Britney’s ex, ‘N Sync ex, also Cameron’s ex and one of the brightest, most talented pop stars today will be in town for the show which benefits the PLDT Smart Foundation. He’ll probably do only a song or two but he will still be Justin in the flesh. Donation tickets are priced at P4,500, P3,000, P1,500 and P300, plus service charge. Contact Ticketworld at 891-9999 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Still on upcoming shows. Adam Young, the 22-year-old genius behind the big hit Fireflies, will be performing at the SMX Convention Center at 8 p.m. on March 14. Fireflies comes from the album Ocean Eyes, Adam’s third release as Owl City. It is generally believed that Adam’s band is a one-man operation but he will be coming with his band for this gig.

Expect to hear songs from Owl City plus cuts from his earlier albums Of June and Maybe I’m Dreaming. The latter two will soon be also available locally. Go to TicketNet and TicketWorld for tickets to the show.

And tomorrow, Feb. 27, is a red-letter day for all fans of the Backstreet Boys in their This is Us World Tour at the Araneta Coliseum. Expect Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and AJ McLean to do cuts from their latest, the This Is Us album plus early hits like Everybody, Backstreet’s Back, Larger Than Life, Quit Playing Games With My Heart, As Long As You Love Me, I Want It That Way, Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely and lots of others.