Songwriter & crooner share stage

MANILA, Philippines - Mellow music aficionados and OPM fans are in for a two-in-one treat as two generations of crooners share the stage in a one-night-only concert come Dec. 2 at the PICC Plenary Hall. The special show will feature Jose Mari Chan and Richard Poon in a show titled The Singer and The Crooner.

The show promises to be a good one as it represents the best of the past, represented by the hit-making Jose Mari and the promise of a refined future OPM in Richard. It’s the first time that Jose Mari, known for his songs such as Tell Me Your Name and Beautiful Girl, among others, is sharing the concert stage with Richard.

Meanwhile Richard, a self-made “big band crooner,” considers the concert a fulfillment of a long-standing dream of singing the classics of Jose Mari, as well as performing them with the songwriter himself. “No doubt about it, Jose Mari is an inspiration to me both professionally and artistically,” said Richard. “All his songs have that classic quality and as a musician and singer, I aspire for the same thing in my career.”

Jose Mari no doubt inspires singers like Richard not just with his hits but also with his inimitable singing style. The singer also impresses by being the only male OPM singer who garnered the Diamond Record award for record sales of his album Constant Change. Comparatively, Richard’s career is right on track as he has platinum certified albums and multiple singing awards and recognitions to his name. The singer is also part of ASAP Sessionistas.

Besides the two singers’ love for all things classic and mellow, Jose Mari and Richard have been good friends for some time now, all the more cemented by their shared Chinese ancestry. Meanwhile, the Chinese community had been asking for a Chan-Poon pairing for some time now, and will be delighted of finally seeing these two musicians together.

The two have been hard at work preparing for the concert and promises an unforgettable evening of hits and classic music and a few surprises as well. Among the guests are harpist Noelle Cassandra and Pokwang.

The Songwriter and The Crooner is produced by Record Breaker Events and J&F Productions, co-presented by Zest-Air and a concept of Cornerstone Talents & Events.

The concert has two beneficiaries: AGAPP (Aklat Gabay Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa). The foundation, headed by Pinky Abellada, aims to help public schools in building quality classrooms for kinder students. With a proper education venue, children will perform better in school. The other beneficiary is the SPED children of Bulacan.

The event is presented by Magic 89.9, RJ 100.3, 101.5 Crossover, MYX, ASAP Rocks, The Philippine STAR, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, Let’s Face It, Reed Steel Fabrications, Villarica Pawnshop, Freego, Speed Babad, Eurotel, Icing’s, Astoria Hotel, Gluta White, Zerona, Fernando’s Bakeshop, Centro Med Enterprises, RMT Marketing, La Fleche, Islandrose, Contours, Today’s Water and Pagcor.

Tickets are available at SM Tickets (with tel. no. 470-2222) and Ticketworld (891-9999) or log on to www.ticketworld.com. For details, call 998-6788.