Noel, Richard in Sulit repeat

MANILA, Philippines - Two versatile singers who made a name for themselves in the local entertainment arena will team up for a special concert. Jazz prince Richard Merk and folk singer Noel Cabangon will take centerstage in the repeat of Sulit, a special show on Aug. 9 at Merk’s Place.

Sulit, which means “worth it” in English, was first staged at Merk’s Place in early July. The show was successful and well-received that’s why a repeat was immediately scheduled. Joining Richard and Noel are talented guests Jacqui Magno and Lolita Carbon.

Fresh from his Birds in Flight show in Bacolod City, Richard is currently busy with corporate performances. He also does a weekly TV show, Thumbs Up (Saturdays, 9 a.m.) on Studio 23 and also on The Filipino Channel (TFC). Moreover, Richard has a weekly radio program, Words and Music, on Energy FM 106.7 every Saturday (3 to 6 p.m.).

Last December, Richard performed with world-renowned trumpet player Chris Botti and jazz singer Renee Olstead at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. Richard also joined Vernie Varga and Jacqui Magno in a special show. In San Francisco, he performed alongside The Rey Cristobal Band.

Richard, who started singing at the age of seven, is obviously influenced by his mother, Annie Brazil, known as the Queen of Jazz. To date, he has shared his talent with the rest of the world having performed in England, Germany, Greece, Thailand, Yemen, Jordan, Beirut and the US.

He also represented the Philippines in different international festivals, including the first jazz festival in Singapore and the ASEAN Festival in Thailand. He also sang and recorded the theme for Singapore’s 25th Independence Day. Richard will soon leave for US and Europe for Manila With Love shows for the Department of Tourism.

Noel, meanwhile, has recently released his sixth solo album, Tuloy ang Byahe, featuring OPM classics from the ’70s and ’80s. He grew up with most of the songs in the album, which means Journey.

Some of the most prolific songwriters wrote the songs featured in Tuloy ang Byahe, like Ryan Cayabyab who penned Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Florante who gave Pinay, Rey Valera who wrote Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko and many others.

Noel’s life has been a musical journey since he started as a folk singer in the ’80s with Buklod Band. Known for his socially relevant songs such as Tatsulok and Kanlungan, Noel strongly pushed for alternative Filipino music.

He just arrived from Berlin (Germany). Last May, he came out with a children’s book about Filipino values, Ako’y Isang Mabuting Filipino (I Am a Good Filipino), published by Lampara Books and launched at Museo Pambata.

“Both Noel and I were folk singers in the early days of our careers,” said Richard. “We respect each other’s forte now — him being a folk-pop singer and I being into jazz. We also share our knowledge in music to new and young artists.”

Sulit will take centerstage at Merk’s Place, located at second floor Colbella Arcade, 910 Arnaiz Ave., Makati City. The show will also be presented in Puerto Galera soon.