Laura Fygi: From the world to the Philippines

When we had heard that the Merks had once again gotten involved in bringing in a jazz artist and presenting her in two concerts, we were not surprised. Roni and Richard Merk have long been among the few avid supporters of jazz in the country which many believe to be a dying art. But not them. Not Jacqui Magno, nor Pat Castillo, nor the dozens of jazz musicians and enthusiasts who believe it will ultimately make a big comeback.

A Magical Evening with Laura Fygi unveils special guests Jacqui Magno, Richard and Jeannie Tiongco with Henry Katindig and top session musicians tonight at the Fairmont Raffles Hotel in Makati and on June 27, at Wil’s Events Place, Sct. Esguerra, Quezon City, both at 8 p.m.   

Laura is known in her home country in The Netherlands as the daughter of an Egyptian belly dancer who was raised in Uruguay; and in Asia as the emancipated Westerner who appears to have conquered the world. In the beginning of 2010, for instance, the Chinese audience had decided on Laura as the foreign artist to be invited to the TV show for the World Expo. She has collaborated with such music luminaries as Toots Thielemans, Michel Legrand and Michael Franks, and played the lead of her favorite musical Victor/Victoria in Singapore. She has also been presented various gold and platinum discs and awards.

What is her secret? We decided to seek her out through the YouTube, one of the best inventions of the modern age, and discovered a performer who loved the old standards given a jazzy twist. We watched and listened to her versions of Sabor a Mi (Spanish), I Will Wait For You, Fly Me to the Moon in French, Almost Like Being in Love, Quizas Quizas Quizas (Spanish), Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend in song and dance dressed like Marilyn Monroe (who performed it in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), It’s Wonderful...it’s Marvelous, C’est si Bon (French), Besame Mucho (Spanish) which reminded us of Pilita Corrales, Quiet Nights and Quiet Stars or Corcovado (English and Spanish), I Only Have Eyes for You, etc., etc. We are certain she will perform some of these numbers in the Philippine shows.

In the early ’80s, Laura was part of a girl group Centerfold which ended sadly in 1991when one of the members died. From an article by Mike Hennessey, we discover that Laura, who had now married, prepared herself for a quiet life at home. However, the itch to perform led to Laura forming the group Backlot, which resulted in her going solo. After the show, Laura went to their hotel bar with the group’s manager Herman van der Zwan where someone was playing on the piano. Laura recalled going over to ask the pianist if she could sing All of Me. In short, the gig resulted in a solo album in 1991, Introducing Laura Fygi, which featured her favorite standards like Willow Weep For Me, Girl Talk, My Foolish Heart and Just One Of Those Things. The album won an Edison Award, the Dutch equivalent of a Grammy.

Laura has traveled down numerous musical pathways. Her inspirations include Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Barbra Streisand, Charles Aznavour and Al Jarreau. “I like soft jazz — and I like melodic music. If there is no melody in the music, then forget it,” she had said, perhaps explaining why she was drawn to the standards.

She has lived and continues living a life of surprises, brought about by her love to re-invent herself.

When asked what has been the highlight of her long career, she picked the performance in Tokyo on the occasion of the 400 Years of Trade Relations between Holland and Japan, in the presence of both Crown Princes!

Experience A Magical Evening with Laura Fygi, a dinner show mounted by Merks Place, Lyric, Lily’s Peanut Butter, BPI, Fort Victoria, DOT, Globe, Ayala Land, PLDT and Mazda Quezon Avenue & Pasig, Fairmont Raffles Hotel, the official residence, and Radio High 105.9, the official concert station. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999. For details, call 551-8779 Merk’s Place or 0905-3054808.

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