Cocoy sings own songs / German trio performs

Cocoy Laurel, acclaimed for his incredible versatility as singer, actor, dancer, pianist and portraitist, will give a concert on March 28 at the CCP main theater.

The occasion will premiere seven of his original compositions, with the Manila Philharmonic playing them.

Most of Cocoy’s admirers have always known him as actor and singer. But composing music was one of the earliest expressions of his encompassing talent. His actress-portraitist mother Celia fondly recounts: "It began when Cocoy’s father Doy bought our first piano — a Wurlitzer spinet, Cocoy took possession of that piano, making all kinds of sounds every moment he had — and one day when I came home he said, ‘Mommy, I have a song for you!’ pulling me to the piano. I was amazed to hear a delightful tune, Fairy Waltz, he called the piece. It was his first composition at age four! Many others followed."

Among Cocoy’s original works to be premiered at the concert is "Uliran" which won the FAMAS Award for best movie theme.

Cocoy will reprise familiar Broadway songs from musicals in which he starred, Latin love songs for which he is greatly admired — singing these in incomparable style — and kundimans, two of which are his original compositions.

Sharing the limelight with him will be his talented sister Iwi Laurel, nieces Denise Laurel and Nicole Asensio.

Family friend, Spain’s former Ambassador to the Philippines Delfin Colomé, himself an eminent composer and pianist, will guest conduct two of Cocoy’s compositions.

Cocoy will infuse his acting talent into his singing style. As actor, Cocoy is best remembered for his portrayal of The Engineer in the record-breaking musical Miss Saigon during its presentation in Australia. As the show closed, the audience thundered its applause, calling Cocoy back to the stage countless times and reducing him to tears of joy. He was choking with emotion when he thanked the audience for its adulation.

Commenting on his forthcoming concert on March 28, the lofty-minded Cocoy says: "I feel it’s high time I give back to God, with much praise and thanksgiving, the gifts He has given me, and to share them with the world. To God be the glory!"

In typical fashion, Cocoy has chosen Gawad Kalinga — Doy Laurel Village in Balete, Batangas — as his concert beneficiary.

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Tomorrow, at 5 p.m., Clara Ramona will present her students in a flamenco recital at the Spotlight on Chino Roces Avenue.

Tomorrow, at 7 p.m., the UST Conservatory will present "Sampong Daliri", with participants playing on ten pianos. Internationally acclaimed concertist Raul Sunico, who heads the performers, is frequently invited to participate because his presence enhances and lends prestige to any concert and raises the quality of the performance.

On Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Fleur-de-Lis Theater, St. Paul University’s College of Music and the Performing Arts will present pianists Mary Anne Espina and Najib Ismail in a "Liebeslieder", an evening of duets.

The program follows: Mozart’s Sonata in D Major, five Filipino songs arranged as piano duets by A. Espino, three Hungarian Dances by Brahms and Liebeslieder Waltzes Vol. I by Brahms. Soprano Thea Perez, mezzo-soprano Nenen Espina, tenor Ronan Ferrer and baritone Noel Azcona will sing.

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Goethe Institut and Lufthansa will bring one of Germany’s finest jazz groups to join the Philippine International Jazz and Art Festival 2007. The group, consisting of pianist Michael Wollny, bassist Eva Kruse and drummer Eric Schaefer, will perform at two free concerts: on Feb. 18 at the Alabang Town Center with Aquarela, RDP, Johnny Alegre and Affinity, Dreamgirls with Mon David and the UP Jazz Ensemble, and on Feb. 19 at the Podium with Jazzphil Ensemble, Sugarland, Saxophoro, Romy Posadas Band and Arthur Manuntag.

The German Trio is right in the center of a burgeoning European Jazz explosion. Wollny is one of Germany’s most promising young pianists today, classically trained but doing improvisations marvelously. Bassist Kruse is comfortable with both experimental music and electrifying dance floor beats. Schaefer may be currently Berlin’s most exciting drummer.