Kuh Ledesma presents a unique musical concept titled, “Kuh Sings Her ABC,” tomorrow, Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m., at the Winford Resort and Casino. The Philippines’ Pop Diva is thrilled to perform songs “from artists or composers whose names start with A, B, and C,” as shared by her team.
One can expect that she will give each tune a new interpretation and make it her own.
For the Saturday showcase, Kuh will share the center stage with new and talented male vocal artists, David Young and Nathan Randal.
“Surprisingly, for a young singer at 16, he already has a remarkable ability to convey deep emotion through his powerful and soulful voice,” said Kuh of Nathan in an e-mail interview with The STAR. “His performances are characterized by a rich tone and an impressive range, with a captivating stage presence. Additionally, he is very good-looking, which further enhances his overall appeal.”
Given the surname of the 19-year-old David, Kuh shared, “He is definitely young, but he has fondness and appreciation for the standards. He loves the Frank Sinatra songs, and his performances offer a fresh perspective that gives a new take on timeless music. His versatility allows him to smoothly switch (between) various genres, delivering heartfelt renditions with ease. And I must add. He is also very tall and handsome.”
Asked what she thinks the two can bring to the show, the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon said that David and Nathan will offer “something special to the stage,” and she is thrilled to be performing alongside them. “Their individual talents and own style make for an exciting and diverse showcase,” added she, describing that these emerging talents are versatile and have their own take on the classics.
“It’s inspiring to witness and be part of their musical journey,” said she. “I’ve always been on the lookout for fresh and talented artists, and there’s a sense of self-gratification when I can impart what I’ve learned over the years. It is rewarding to witness their growth. I would love to teach one day and continue sharing my passion and knowledge with the next generation of singers.”
As for Kuh’s pieces of advice for newbies who see a career and calling in music, she shared, “The entertainment industry can be challenging, but dedication, perseverance, and hard work are important. Keep honing your God given gift, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Be open to constructive criticism and keep learning new ways to improvise. Enroll in workshops, vocal lessons, personality development, and always be humble to listen to the advice of mentors. Work with the best.”
She also suggested that new talents should “enjoy the journey, but remember that the most important thing is to always pray and maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is valuable to develop a sincere and strong relationship with others, but a deep and personal relationship with Jesus will guide and protect you.”
In a chat with guest performer David, he shared some lessons learned by working with Kuh.
“At first, of course, I was a bit intimidated since it’s Ms. Kuh Ledesma. This is somebody who a lot of singers and a lot of Filipino artists look up to,” said he. “She did teach me quite a lot during the practices about (singing) technique and delivery because Ms. Kuh Ledesma’s delivery is unmatched, her emotional delivery, and everything.”
“She’s one of a kind, but other than the singing techniques, I think the No. 1 lesson that I have taken from this experience is humility because Ms. Kuh, as great as she is, still has the humility to sit with you as a newbie and take you through how to perform a piece. I mean, how many professional singers of that caliber are willing to do that,” added David. “It taught me that no matter how big or how good you’ve become… that you stay humble and Ms. Kuh really embodies that. The second thing would be gratitude because… I should be thankful every day of my life, every time I perform and (for) the talent God has given me.”
David, who will have duet and solo spots and sing a variety of genres in “Kuh Sings Her ABC,” considers the show the biggest break he has had so far. Hopefully, it will open more doors of opportunity for him.
With the letters A, B and C in the show’s title, one will be treated to Kuh’s renditions of songs by “Adele, Alicia (Keys), (Cecile) Azarcon, Barbra (Streisand), Anita Baker, Bamboo, (George) Canseco, (Ryan) Cayabyab, (The) Carpenters, Celine (Dion) and Cher,” according to her publicity team.
“I always want to create a unique and memorable experience for the audience,” said she. “The inspiration behind ‘Kuh Sings Her ABC’ comes from my desire to pay tribute to my favorite artists by performing the songs they’ve popularized. There are so many incredible songs that I could never sing them all in a single lifetime, so I thought, ‘Why not start with the ABCs?’ It’s a fun way to organize (and) showcase a wide variety of songs.”
Kuh also gave everyone updates on her upcoming shows. She will be at the Silver Legacy Casino in Reno on Aug. 31 and in Pasadena, California on Sept. 21 with OPM singer and “It’s Showtime’s” Tawag ng Tanghalan judge Nonoy Zuñiga and songwriter Cecile Azarcon, respectively.
“The other US shows are currently in the planning stage and (we) will announce details as soon as they are finalized. Stay tuned for more information,” said she. “My latest recording of Vehnee Saturno’s I Love You is available on all digital platforms.”
(For details on ‘Kuh Sings her ABC,’ call +63960-885-0288 or 0927-297-8027. Tickets are also available at Ticketnet.)