Jay-R: Suave & smooth this time

He may have crossed over to TV and the movies from time to time. But Jay-R’s heart solely belongs to music and recording.

“It‘s a trend here,” says Jay-R, who will star in the Metro Manila filmfest entry Desperadas and was last seen in Happy Together opposite Kris Aquino.

“(Appearing in movies) helps me capture a broader and bigger audience. If ever I do a movie, my role is not far from what I do in real life. I still get to sing in the movies.”

Jay-R’s cool dude character in Hari ng Sablay composed a song for the movie’s lead Bearwin Meiley.

The California-born hunk has also graced the small screen, where he played boy-next-door and swashbuckling roles for GMA 7’s Love to Love and Encantadia, respectively.

He also played an offbeat role as the wicked Haring Bagulbol in the fantasy film Exodus.

Proving that he remains loyal to his music and first love, Jay-R will treat fans to a concert titled Soul In Love tomorrow, Nov. 9, and on Nov. 17, 9 p.m. at Mandarin Oriental Manila’s Captain’s Bar. Jay-R says the show is his way of touching base with fans and music enthusiasts in a more intimate way. Pops Fernandez and Kuh Ledesma will guest. Soul In Love is Jay-R’s first concert at Captain’s Bar.

For two nights, the balladeer challenges himself as he goes suave, smooth this time around sans the groovin’, funkier and upbeat music of R ’n B. Jay-R tries his hand in classic soul, paying homage to artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Al Green and Barry White. Jay-R will not subject himself in any form of vocal calisthenics. He will just sing the songs the way their original singers did years ago with Jay-R’s sentimental, sexy style.

Topping his repertoire are vintage soul, standard and Motown ditties like It Could Happen To You, Love Won’t Let Me Wait, P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) with personal hits like Ngayo’y Naririto, Kung Mahal Mo Siya and Bakit Pa Ba?.

Does his five years in showbiz and recording industry spare him from getting nervous come showtime?

“I always get that feeling,” replies Jay-R. “That’s why I have to get mentally prepared, especially since I’m doing 18 to 20 songs. Most of them are new to me. I have to memorize and study them. I just have to be confident.”

What else is he cooking up for fans? Jay-R reveals he is doing an album with a twist of jazz. It follows up his self-titled, 18-track album that catapulted him as Prince of R ’n B.

In the soon-to-be-released CD, Jay-R takes control of everything, starting from choosing materials for production.

He has involved himself 100 percent in it. But it doesn’t mean he is going independent or veering away from what is popular.

On Nov. 30, Jay-R will have another solo concert in a bigger venue, Folk Arts Theater, with friend Kris Lawrence as special guest. Jay-R says Kris is busy doing shows abroad, dispelling rumors that The Star in a Million winner has left the country for good.

Asked what will make him continue acting, Jay-R’s quick reply is “Good project.”