Great-sounding music from Pauline Wilson

Merk’s marked its second anniversary last year with the great-sounding Angela Bofill of This Time I’ll be Sweeter fame. Now for its third year, the Makati music joint offers up somebody who will surely make the celebration just as memorable: Pauline Wilson. A big favorite with Pinoy jazz buffs, the also great-sounding Pauline will perform at Merk’s on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

The show will include duets with the man behind Merk’s, Richard Merk, former Sangkatutak vocalist who has matured into one of the country’s best jazz artists. Pauline is also scheduled to do a show at the Ayala Food and Entertainment Center of the Ayala Center in Cebu City on Friday, Sept. 30. She will be joined by musical director and keyboard artist Toti Fuentes and Anna Fegi.

Hawaii-born Pauline made her mark during the heat of the jazz fusion era in the late ‘70s as soloist of the funky jazz band Seawind. Among the band’s hits were What Cha Doin’ and Follow Your Road. She later went solo and continued to make successful recordings like Stay, Walking My Way Back to You, Deeper and Deeper and Friends, a lovely duet with George Benson that won them a Grammy Award.

Pauline is a very special song artist. Truth to tell, her style is timeless and her music sounds as good today as they did nearly 30 years ago. Her Follow Your Road is a wondrous piece of work and I am sure everybody remembers Stay. And you should hear her amazing version of Dindi! She certainly puts new dimensions to the word vocalist. It is just too bad she will not be bringing Seawind along for the Merk’s stint. A reunion tour is in the works. But I am sure she has a competent band in tow. If not, it is about time she gets a chance to work with our incredible musicians.

Meanwhile, it is also full speed ahead for the Filipino talent at Merk’s this month. Leading the pack is the soul-powered Anna Fegi, who is performing until Sept. 15. Opening and closing these shows is acoustic artist Dawn. Mondays feature "The Amazing" Bernie Uy on stage on Sept. 12 and 26; Reunited with Four Notes featuring Sonata on Sept. 19. Tuesdays topbill the Angfourgettables tomorrow and Sept. 20; Wednesdays showcase Richard Merk, Eddie Katindig, Mon David and Sandra Lim in a jazz festival on Sept. 14 and 21;

Thursdays feature Acoustic Jive on Sept. 22 and 28; Fridays topbill pop act Aretha & the Souled Out Band; the retro band Route 70 is set on Saturdays, Sept. 17 and 24 and on Tuesday, Sept. 27; while Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez perform together on Thursday, Sept. 29. Also booked for happy hour are Romy Posadas from Monday to Wednesday, Acoustic girl Mae on Thursdays and Saturdays and folk artist Albert de Pano on Fridays.

Merk’s Bar Bistro is at Level 3 Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati. Aside from the music, it is also known for fine country cuisine courtesy of the famed Bistro Remedios kitchens. For details, e-mail [email protected], call 757-4720 and 757-4721, or visit www.merksbarbistro.com. Merk’s third anniversary bash is presented by Trademark Concepts, Inc., in cooperation with ABS-CBN, BMW Philippines, Business World, Cebu Holdings, Inc. The Philippine STAR and 92.3 Joey.

Memories of Love on CD

Speaking of memorable jazz performances of recent times, I am sure many of you count Memories of Love at the Araneta Coliseum among them. Starring Kevyn Lettau, another big favorite among us Pinoys plus the extraordinarily soulful vocals of Joe Pizzulo and of singer/songwriter and pianist Lou Pardini, the concert has been captured on CD and is now available in music shops.

The featured performers contribute their hits, Sunlight and Bridges from Kevyn; I Just Had to Fall from Lou and Take This Love from Joe. Standards like Yesterday, Never Gonna Let You Go, Let’s Give a Little More This Time, What Do We Mean to Each Other and Gary V’s Sana Maulit Muli are also featured. Great sounds, enjoyable album and a nice ego booster, too because the musicians backing up the stars in this live recording are all talented Pinoys.