Music brought them to each other and it is also what keeps them together. That’s why it is not surprising that they also thrive on making beautiful music together.
It was Miguel’s first time in the Philippines in 1995 when he spotted Evelyn, who was then singing with a jazz band, St. Tropez, at Grand Boulevard Hotel. Miguel was invited by hotel owner Katrina Panlilio, to do a month-long stint at Grand Boulevard.
"Katrina saw me perform in Hong Kong and she invited me to come to Manila," Miguel shares. "That was how I discovered the Philippines."
They became in touch after they met. It wasn’t long before Miguel came back for Evelyn.
"I was drawn to his music and he was drawn to mine," Evelyn allows.
Miguel is of French-Spanish descent. He started his musical career in Northern France — "First into pop then Flamenco, Latin and acoustic," he grants. After recording a couple of his own compositions in his early 20s, he moved to Granada, Spain to study Flamenco guitar. He later fell in love with Brazilian music, a passion he has nurtured ever since.
Evelyn, for her part, is a seasoned entertainer from Cebu. She worked with many leading jazz bands and eventually performed with Miguel in Barcelona and Paris. In 1998, the couple exchanged marriage vows in a church wedding in France.
The following year, Miguel and Evelyn, upon the prodding of friends, formed Aquarella, which means "watercolor" in Portuguese. The group quickly defined itself as the most genuine representative of Brazilian music in the local entertainment scene. Aquarella debuted on stage at Mondo at The Fort. For three years, the group sang at Conway’s Bar at Shangri-La Makati.
Aquarella prides itself in being "authentic" when it comes to samba and bossa nova music. The band’s original members included Roberto Buena, George Almaden and Dix Lucero. Filipino musicians have joined the band over time, including Michael Alba on drums and Colby de la Calzada on bass. Miguel composes and arranges songs for the band, while Evelyn acts as band manager and record producer, as she is also a frontliner.
Recently, Miguel and Evelyn contributed arrangements, vocals and French lyrics for The CompanY’s latest album, Destination Bossa, as well as for Agot Isidro’s latest musical outing, The Island.
Miguel and Evelyn, with Aquarella, recently released their first album, Bossa Nova Affair, distributed by Universal Records. The CD contains Miguel and Evelyn’s duets in English and Portuguese (Triste, Waters of March and Corcovado). Miguel sings one of his original compositions, Malena Loca (Crazy Girl) in Spanish.
"The album is for samba and bossa nova lovers and all those who love romantic music," Miguel grants. "This is part of our mission to educate listeners with samba and bossa nova music. We are pleased that Filipinos are open-minded when it comes to any kind of music."
The blending of Miguel and Evelyn’s voices is often described as one of the defining elements of the Aquarella sound. Miguel boasts the album uses real instruments — sax, bass, flute, acoustic guitar — without making use of any synthesizers.
Miguel, aside from singing, also exhibits his masterful Brazilian-style guitar playing in the album. Dix Lucero does delightful sax and flute adlibs, while samba expert Michael Alba provides drums and percussions pyrotechnics.
Bossa Nova Affair pretty much illustrates the life and romance of Miguel and Evelyn through music. "Our music is a reflection of our lives," Evelyn says. "Corcovado is the first song that Miguel serenaded me with and it later became our theme song."
The album is an expression of Miguel and Evelyn’s passion and love for Brazilian music icons like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Djavan, Astrud Gilberto and Gilberto Gil, to name a few. The acoustic, intimate feel of the record conveys a soulful and romantic mood to listeners.
With Bossa Nova Affair, Miguel likewise intends to make more Filipinos appreciate samba and bossa nova music. "Bossa nova is a feeling and a mood, a mix of being romantic, nostalgic and happy," Miguel maintains.
"That’s what makes it beautiful and sexy, too. It’s a tear and a smile. The quality of music and lyrics is more beautiful, unique and appealing, compared to music of other countries. Bossa nova has become fashionable. We want to educate the market and make them appreciate bossa nova music."
Bossa Nova Affair was recently launched at Merk’s Bar and Bistro, owned by Richard Merk and his wife, Roni Tapia-Merk. "He’s a great samba player," says Richard of his good friend Miguel.
The album includes other tracks like Felicidade, Amos Deurados, Flor de Lis, Aquarela do Brasil and the OPM cut, O, Lumapit Ka, Aquarella’s version of Hotdog’s original hit.
Miguel cannot be thankful enough for having been entrenched in the local entertainment scene with his distinct kind of samba and bossa nova music.
"I feel very blessed and lucky to be among the few foreign musicians who have been well received here in Manila," Miguel acknowledges. "I’m very grateful for that and I really feel part of the family. I want to continue exploring samba and bossa nova music and make Filipinos appreciate these sounds."
---------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment