Jay-R and the songs that shaped his career

On his “lucky 13th” year in showbiz, Jay-R is starring in a concert called Press Play at the Music Museum on Nov. 6 and 7.

“It has been a long time since my last concert,” said Jay-R who is managed by Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Talent Circuit. “It’s about time I did another one.”

Joining Jay-R are his girlfriend Mica Javier, Dee Jay Poblete, Q-York and Kris Lawrence (who also grew up in L.A.; it was Jay-R who encouraged him to start a career in the Philippines).

Since it’s Jay-R’s 13th year in the Philippines, Funfare asked him the 13 songs that shaped his career. Here they are (in random order):

Di Na Natuto (by Gary Valenciano). “I’ve listened to that song ever since I was a kid. It’s one of the OPM songs that really influenced me.”

Through The Fire (Chaka Khan). “It was the first R&B song that caught my attention and that introduced me to the genre.”

I’ll Make Love To You (BoyzIIMen). “That’s when I really fell in love with R&B. I was a young boy when I first heard that song about making love and at that age parang, you know, pini-feel ko na kung ano ‘yun.”

Bakit Pa Ba. “My first Tagalog song that hit the Philippines.”

Designed For Love. “My first song released in the Philippines, the song that introduced me to the Filipino audience.”

Ngayo’y Naririto. “In this song from my second album, I am saying na ikaw ang mahal ko, wala nang iba. Did I dedicate it to a girl? Oh yes, of course, because all my songs at that time were dedicated to special people.”

Knocks Me Off My Feet. “Not by Stevie Wonder, but by another singer. I did an a cappella version of it with First Impression, my group in the States.”

Already Mine. “It’s from my new album Elevated. This is the song that I worked on for seven years and I’m glad that I was able to include it in my album. There’s a twist in that song. Para bang sinasabi ko na, ‘Hindi ko alam ang mga kasalanang ginawa ko sa’yo; nalaman ko lang when you’re already mine…sayang!’”

Parachutes. “It’s also from my new album. It’s memorable to me because that’s one of the songs that stayed the longest, more than three months, on the Countdown on MYX OPM Charts.”

Home (by Bryan McKnight). “I listened to it so many times at nakuha ko ‘yung technique ni Bryan McKnight.”

Gaano Kita Kamahal. “I grew up listening to my father playing that song on the piano while my mom was singing it. Ako palagi ang audience nila.”

Tonight. “It’s also from Elevated. Mica became an item because of that song. It became No. 1 on the radio. Kami pa rin ni Mica; three years na kami sa March. How many girlfriends did I have before Mica? Hmmm, five.”

Always & Forever (by Luther Vandross). “It used to be my anthem before I moved to the Philippines na kinakanta-kanta ko on my concerts in L.A. at kinakanta-kanta ko pa rin when I was starting my career here.”

Aside from guestings on ABS-CBN shows (Your Face Sounds Familiar, etc.), Jay-R is busy composing and arranging songs for other artists. He has just finished some songs for Nyoy Volante, Melai Cantiveros, Rayver Cruz and Denise Laurel.

How would Jay-R assess his 13 years so far? Was there ever a time when he wanted to go back to California and resume his career there?

“You know, that’s still one of my goals, one of my dreams. Nothing is impossible once you put your mind into it, if you have the right focus and the right energy. I think the Philippines is a good starting point for the world. I believe I can reach my goal by starting here in the Philippines.”

Being one of the Fil-Ams who paved the way for other US-bred talents to the Philippines, Jay-R has pointers for aspirants who want to follow in his footsteps.

“For them to know the Filipino culture, know how to speak Filipino,” said Jay-R in perfect Filipino. “Don’t bring American culture to the Philippines. There are those who think that just because Amerikano sila, madali silang sisikat dito. Wrong attitude. I always bear in mind what my mother has been telling me, ‘Matuto kang makisama.’ Huwag mong isipin na porke galing ka sa America ay mas mahusay ka sa mga homegrown talents.”

(Note: For tickets to Press Play at the Music Museum on Nov. 6 and 7, call Music Museum at 721-6726, TicketWorld at 891-9999 or ALV Talent Circuit at 637-7016.)

Joe Mari’s Moonlight & Love Songs at PICC on Nov. 30

After 48 years in the music industry, Jose Mari Chan (below, photo) is bringing his hit Moonlight & Love Songs concert in California to PICC Plenary Hall on Nov. 30.

By coincidence, there will be a full moon and star-lit sky that night and Joe Mari’s mellow voice will certainly work wonders again to rob the heart of every audience. It will be an entertaining night with guest performers Richard Poon, Sheila Valderrama (voted one of the prettiest theater actresses of 2014 as she played several leading role in Dani Girl, The King & I and Shrek: The Musical), Emmanuelle Adda (The French-Filipina singer, actress and model who starred in several international shows like Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and West Side Story) and Ateneo Chamber Singers (winner of numerous prestigious international choral competitions).

No doubt, this concert can generate much publicity and attendance here and overseas, therefore it is a good vehicle to get good and wide recognition mileage. (For sponsorship packages and ticket prices, call or text 0925-8613448/ 0917-3770080.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)