Jazz stars take on pop, Beatles

TOPNOTCH: The AMP Big Band

A full-house crowd witnessed the versatility of three of the finest Filipino vocalists in the current live scene at Hard Rock Cafe, Makati.

Last week’s benefit show top-billed Arthur Manuntag, with Cooky Chua and Skarlet as guests. They were backed by the 10-piece AMP “Little” Big Band.

It was a mild shock to catch Manuntag and Chua singing “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from the film, “Dirty Dancing.” It was our first time to hear them doing pop. But it didn’t sound bad, especially given that this was a freewheeling gig to entertain a mixed audience.

A solo spot featuring Chua in the 1928 Gershwin piece “How Long Has This Been Going On” put us back in our comfort zone; torch songs have become her forte, even if she was known as a rock singer.

Then Manuntag requested Chua to sing “Paglisan,” a hit from the latter’s band, Color It Red. We didn’t think it would work. Yet, rendered in a jazz tempo with spare music and sultry vocals, the folk-rock ballad retained its appeal.

By the time Manuntag tackled Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” there was a heightened feeling that the night would exceed expectations. True enough, we were soon marveling at Skarlet’s choice of songs: vintage Pinoy gems “Hahabol-habol” and “Waray Waray,” ’60s classics “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and “Respect.” Her flirtatious moves delighted the crowd.

COME TOGETHER (from L): Arthur Manuntag, Skarlet and Cooky Chua

Manuntag’s version of “Spinning Wheel” sounded special mainly due to the AMP Band. Conductor Mel Villena played the sax with gusto—a rare sight for those who remember him as a keyboardist.

The AMP crew was topnotch, by the way: saxophonists Tots Tolentino and Michael Guevarra; trumpeters Ronnie Marqueses and Romy Francisco; trombonist Nestor Gonzaga; keyboardist Joey Quirino; guitarist Noel Santiago; bassist Simon Tan and drummer Jun Austria.

When the gang covered The Beatles’ “Come Together” for the finale, it became even clearer that we deserved a kick in the butt for being a Doubting Thomas. How could we even think it wouldn’t work, when jazz musicians are the reason that the precise art of improvisation was given a name?