Pop goes the 'Bossa Nova Queen'

MANILA, Philippines –  Is Sitti singing a different tune?

That’s the question in my head after local Bossa Nova Queen Sitti intimated that her pre-birthday concert Sitti Live in Metrobar will be a celebration of ‘80s music. It remains to be seen, however, whether Sitti will do Madonna, Cyndy Lauper, Tina Turner or Whitney Houston tonight at 8. Erik Santos and Aljur Abrenica are Sitti’s guests.

“During live gigs, there’s a small percentage of bossa which I do,” shares the Warner Music-Backroom artist who put the Brazilian music in the mainstream recording scene years ago. “And 70 percent is pop, jazz fusion.”

“It’s not difficult,” Sitti says about singing pop or other genres aside from bossa. “(Even though) I sing bossa (my) album is more pop. Bossa singing has to be smooth, soothing and breezy. It has to be light. The genre is deep (when you listen to the lyrics) but it doesn’t seem so because of its (breezy) delivery.”

“(Bossa) is very light and happy.”

That explains why many can easily like and eventually love bossa. It is easy listening and never hard on the ears. Sitti’s smiling face fits the genre to a T.

“Bossa is the cousin of jazz,” she says. “(Like jazz singers) I also get inspiration from (my interaction with) the band and the music it creates. I enjoy doing the genre. It is limiting when it comes to its listeners. But once you get into it, it is relaxing.”

Sitti can’t contain the happiness she feels for paving the way for today’s aspiring bossa singers.

“I’m thankful for that because I have introduced a new type of music,” she shares. “This wasn’t planned. It just happened. Warner Music just gambled on coming up with a bossa album. Then I got a career.”

Although she has more covers in her four albums, Sitti is successful in capturing Pinoy experiences in bossa through her original, signature hits like Para Sa Akin and Ikaw Pa Rin. She has given the music a local twist. Sitti is no longer singing in bossa, but she is now singing from bossa. She has finally found her own style away from the shadows of influences like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Astrud Gilberto and Gal Costa.

Singing is Sitti’s first love. But she has also heeded the call of acting. Her last acting assignment was Spring Awakening on stage and Ysabella on TV.

“I’m still waiting for the (acting) projects that will fit my image. I’m with A.S.A.P. and I will have a concert in February.”

What are her birthday wishes on Nov. 29? Sitti, who is perfect for West Side Story’s Maria, wants to own an IPad, finish the repairs at her house and have a traffic-free B-day celebration. The latter is, hands down, a wish granted because that day is a holiday.

Whether she is changing musical gears or not, Sitti offers listeners something new in her next album proving her versatility. But she is also eyeing that chance to release her songs in Brazil.

(For ticket inquiries, call 435-1098, 435-1120 and 435-1108. The show’s beneficiary is Silid Aralan Foundation.)