Jadyn Maria joins Ne-Yo in Manila show

MANILA, Philippines - Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Jadyn Maria (right) joins Ne-Yo (left) live in Manila on Jan. 9, 2010, 8 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Born Joy Lynn Strand, Jadyn was the first artist signed to Ne-Yo’s Compound Entertainment label. Strand was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. At 17, Jadyn was signed to Sparrow Records, a Christian music subsidiary of EMI, after being spotted singing at a wedding. She appeared on the song Never Alone (Nunca Solo) from Avalon band member Jody McBrayer’s album, This is Who I Am. She was also asked to record a cover of With or Without You with GRITS on the U2 tribute album In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa.

 In 2007, Jadyn signed a songwriting deal with Universal Music Publishing Group, which led to her meeting with Ne-Yo’s manager and then Ne-Yo, himself and eventually signing with his label and Universal Motown after auditioning for its president in 2008. She also had a chance to perform the national anthem Universal Motown’s Finest Rock Detroit at the 2009 United Way Thanksgiving Day NFL Halftime Show.

She is a friend of Katy Perry and appeared in Perry’s music video for Hot N Cold as a bridesmaid. Strand co-wrote the title bonus track from Ashley Tisdale’s album, Guilty Pleasure. Jadyn is working on her album, Man’s World, due to be released in 2010. Her debut single, Good Girls Like Bad Boys, was released on June 9 with Flo Rida. Another song, Trenchcoat & Shades, was released digitally in the UK on Sept. 6.

Ne-Yo, meantime, has had five Top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist and two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. Ne-Yo has also amassed a catalog of chart-topping songs that he has written for other artists.

His latest single, I Never Knew I Needed, original soundtrack of Walt Disney pictures animated feature. The Princess And The Frog is now available in all record bars nationwide.

Ne-Yo is backed up by an entourage of more than 30 artists composed of band members, dancers, lighting designers and special effects personnel. The one-hour show promises to sizzle with front act group Eurasia, half-Asian and half-European, composed of five talented and beautiful young ladies pushing their musicality to the next level as his front act.

For Special Christmas Group Packages, there are special discounts for group purchase of 100 tickets — 10 percent, 51 to 100 tickets — seven percent, 21 to 50 tickets — five percent, 10 to 20 tickets — three percent. Take advantage of these offers which last until Dec. 23 by calling tel. no. 403-3433.

Special early bird tickets are available at Ticketworld with tel. no. 891-9999 and at Alchemy until Dec. 16. Tickets are priced at P7,500 (VVIP), P5,500 (VIP), P4,000 (Platinum), P2,500 (Gold), P1,500 (Silver) and P500 (Bronze).