Spaced out

Mishka Adams came home recently from London where she had pursued her music studies and completed an intensive course for practicing professionals.

On the Nov. 2 she marched up the Grand Hall of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama of the City University of London. She proudly received her parchment proclaiming a degree of master of music in music performance, with merit.

A few weeks later, she launched her second CD, “Space” (under Candid Productions Ltd.), at Soho’s Pizza Express Jazz Club. Plaudits easily came her way. “A unique and original talent,” enthused Jazz World. “Currently the best reason to open those ears and indulge in the sound,” said Pulp magazine. 

The Simon Cowell-ish music critic of Evening Standard, Jack Massarik, gave her launch performance a rare positive spin. After reminiscing briefly on Candid’s tradition (“once the proud imprint of Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Coleman Hawkins & Steve Lacy...”), he remarked on the 23-year-old talent: “Singer-songwriter Mishka Adams launched Candid’s showcase week last night and she had a tough roster to follow. Young and attractive, with the slightly bruised smile of a girl whose illusions have been dented by reality, she sang with taste and skill...”

The Saturday Guardian Guide wrote: “Pick of the week jazz: Young English/Filipino singing discovery making big waves of a contemporary sort.” Time Out London weighed in: “Refreshingly unpretentious and talented, English/Filipino singer-songwriter Adams plays fine originals alongside tasteful covers...”

Here are some notes on “Space”: “On her new album, Candid CEO Alan Bates wanted to give free and full rein to Mishka’s burgeoning talents by putting her into a challenging situation in which she could freely express herself. To this end Bates introduced Mishka to the all-around talents of John Hoare who was invited to collaborate with Mishka in the writing and arrangements and to act as producer of the album, resulting in nine original pieces and an interpretation of All I Need by the French group Air.

“Mishka’s lyrics are very personal, coming straight from the heart and demonstrating her love of all things poetic. The skilled arrangements of John Hoare and the scintillating playing of John (on cornet) and the world-class quartet (a literal who’s who of the UK jazz scene) — Phil Peskett on piano, Richard Pryce on bass, Davide De Rose on percussion, Jonathan Thomas on Lapsteel guitar — combine to produce vocal and instrumental music of the highest quality.”

Back home, Mishka’s first gig was at Mag:net Katips last Wednesday. Accompanying her was Edgar “Koyang” Avenir, a master guitarist whom music critic Aya Yuson says has “transcended technique” (in effect become a Yoda for all guitarists, heh-heh).

This was followed by the formal local launch of “Space” at the Greenbelt fountain area last Friday night — in tandem with Johnny Alegre & Affinity’s “Eastern Skies,” as presented by Crossover. A full band accompanied Mishka: Mike Guevarra on sax, Ruel Cabrera on trumpet, Sherwin Valencia on trombone, Ria Osorio on keys, Simon Tan on bass and Rey Vinoya on drums

Tomorow, Tuesday night, she performs at 9 p.m. at Conspiracy on Visayas Avenue, Q.C., with Koyang on guitar and special guest Tots Tolentino on sax. On Thursday, Dec. 20, her gig starts at 8 p.m. at Mag:net on Boni High Street at The Fort, with Koyang, Ria Osorio, Mike Guevarra and surprise special guests.

The premier performance, however, comes last, before she returns to London for the promotion of her “Space” album all over Europe. A special farewell show will be held starting at 8 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2008 at the Captain’s Bar in Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Mishka will be backed up by the same full band with a small horn section, led by “Pikong” Guevarra.

At 23, Mishka Arellano Adams has the world at her feet, albeit in a more modest way than someone she’s only months older than — that guy who wears jersey number 23 for the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James turns 23 himself on Dec. 30. Maybe when he’s dethroned Michael Jordan as the best baller on the planet, my own fantasy hoops scenario will have better reason to imagine him and Mishka starring together, along with Bugs Bunny et al., in Space Jam 2.

Meanwhile, I remain spaced out over the growth curves of success being experienced by these darlings of implacable youth.

Now, he’s not exactly raising the ante against any musician, but National Artist for Literature Frankie Jose did pull off a surprise entertainment number right after delivering his valedictory at the Philippine Center of International Pen’s 50th Anniversary Conference the other weekend at the National Museum.

Before a gathering of literary stalwarts — from Beyond Forgetting poet-author Rolando Carbonell, the venerable Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio and Elmer Ordoñez to goddesses Gilda Cordero Fernando and Rustica Carpio, plus southern belles & lettrists Aida Rivera Ford, Merle Alunan, Tony Enriquez, Leoncio Deriada, Don Pagusara, Mac Tiu and Ian Casocot, representing generations of writers — Frankie played several nostalgic tunes on the harmonica. And brought the museum down.

He had been preceded in his musical efforts by tenor Mike Coroza and balladeer Pete Lacaba. But no front act could have prepared the distinguished assembly of pen-pushers for the awe-inspiring performance by our most internationally recognized novelist.

As longtime chair of the Philippine PEN Center board, it was a fitting coda (by another Yoda) to a valedictory. F. Sionil Jose must be congratulated for the success of the 50th anniversary conference marked by literary panel discussions and glowing camaraderie over two days.

When we next saw him at the Philippine STAR Lifestyle party last Tuesday, we had wanted to let on how he could have kept us all entertained with his boyhood instrument. Pamulinawen from a harmonica played by a National Artist would have been our Arts & Culture table’s best offering at that bountiful bash.

But we thought better, of allowing his latest literary novel, Sherds, to create its expected impact first before we announce that dear Frankie will soon be shifting careers, and performing regularly as a busker right on the pavement of Padre Faura St. by the door to Solidaridad Bookshop.

Then that space will truly be hallowed.