by Chris Santos
@''Mahiwaga'' was his winning piece when he joined his first song competition back in the Philippines. At that tender age of seven, it marked the start of his journey with music. But contrary to the mysteries of life.He decided to come to Japan and prove that he would not depend on life's unknowns to fulfill his own destiny. With sheer talent and relentless efforts, He studied and learned, trained and toiled.He searched for avenues to better his talent and opportunities to uplift his performances. At times this opportunities were either few or hidden. He pursued them. Built them himself even. And he used them wisely. very wisely it seems because eleven years later, with dozens of credits to his names for various musical renditions ranging from jazz and soul to gospel and alternative music, He performed and worked with Japan's formidable talents. His voice was chosen to interpret the signature score for Nissan and other commercials. Over the years, He remain to be very active and visible artist in the city's music circle with his albums he can be proud of. Inspiringly, the little Filipino boy who started off with a song on a provincial stage is now one of the most prominent, audacious and versatile male vocalists in Tokyo's arena of performers.Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do
DOminating the Tokyo music scene as a male vocalist
The scarcity of male jazz & soul singers is an observable fact in a country dominated by audience clamoring for the typical shapely female club performers. But he considered this more as a challenge and an opportunity@to be tapped rather than a setback. Finally he realized there are no deep mystic secrets behind it.'' Basta pulido ka kumanta at magtrabaho'' .
REcalling the beginnings
He grew up under guidance of his father, a musician himself and bishop uncle through whom he got introduced to church choir. Years of vocal training has molded Jay at a young age not only to listen to music but to build the work ethics and rapport with the people he works with.
Upon his arrival in Japan he saw a news paper advertisement placed by a musical producer for a musical audition. Jay's talent assured a spot. Though it was not a part of a big break it was in this musical that he found a friend, in their voice trainer,who extended him the invitation to join the VOICE OF JAPAN, a gospel group ,that served as his portal to other gigs and opportunities in TV and commercials. And from this point on, there was no stopping Jay in building the foundations and showcasing his passion for his music and career.
MIxing business and pleasure
The most important thing is you enjoy what you do'', Singing for a living is not simply putting sound through a microphone and heading straight to the ATM. Nor could it be financially exciting all the times specially when one is starting but it's the love for what he did that fuels Jay. Now with packed houses for his special shows several nights in a row, Jay admits that he feels very blessed for finding and being given the chance to pursue what he did. He gets the spotlight and the respect of his audience, he bonds with his music on stage,thats what he love most and get paid. But for me to enjoy this out of each show, He pays his dues to his fans and audience in advance. He researches his songs, studies the music both as genre and as an arrangement and knows his audience. Even with his versatility, He commands priority for what his audience would enjoy. People usually applaud singers for their performance. But he accept it not as an expressions of adoration but as his audience's way of saying thanks for thinking about them first. Jay believe that being a singer is a lot of work. Yes .but since he love his craft, it then actually becomes a lot of fun!
FAith
JP asked Jay about the lowest point in my life.He did not know. Not because he's being private but because of the simple reason that he does not consider that those moments actually had put him down out in the past. An optimist, as proven by what he has made out of his beginnings,Jay always looked at a crises either as a challenge or an oppurtunity. He has a loving family and friends and he cherishes them because they have always supported him. Asked what will be the thing that would carry him through the tough times, Jay quickly replied ''the gift of music.
SOul of a live performer
Naturally , anyone can be nervous if he'll be performing in front of a packed audience. Years of experience may help to control the jitters. However there are two personal principles that save Jay from the butterflies that may start creeping into any performer's stomach before a show: focus on the audience and be open to criticism Jay knows his audience and he relates the sentiment of his songs to them which highlights his credibility in what he does. He prepares for the show and that's the part where he focuses on his style and concept of each number .But when the show starts, it's all about his audience@
LAsting in the field
Jay will always consider himself a student of music because he considers learning is a continuous process. Nevertheless ,Jay believes that it is important for him to go to the roots of music to find his own special genre. Specially being a Filipino who is gifted with musical versatility to adopt to the many types of music orientation that he exposed to from his childhood days, Jay aims for nothing less than originality to present to his audience and to people he works with in the business .If one would see Jay in action, it's easy to understand how he strives for this originality by the way he sings his songs. Be retro or standards and even those that were initially made popular by female singers, Jay's brilliant use of his vocal range and dynamics transforms songs to something fresh.
TIps and advice for other aspiring artists
''Study. Don't be weary to go to the roots and the basics. Widen your music exposure.It's okay to admire and imitate someone you idolize because that's where it starts.Even the famous singers have once been influenced by another singer at one point. But at the end of the day, always be original''.
DOors ahead
Jay being a filipino at heart,ultimately wants to be able to train young artist in the Philippines in a specialized school he's dreaming of. Although he teaches now a select group of students in Tokyo. Jay believes so much in education and acknowledges the lack of oppurtunities to learn in the Philippines which is predominantly into pop music. Jay will be spending a year in New York soon to study and research.Not only for his own musical growth but also in order to share the skill set and inspiration to other artist.
People often dream.But few dreamers become achievers and others are left wondering why it did not happen for them. Mahiwaga? Nope.But for one Filipino artist,he did it simply his way
The Jay way.
By JEEPNEY PRESS TOKYO