Janis Siegel sings solo

MANILA, Philippines - Janis Siegel, a member of one of the hottest US vocal groups — The Manhattan Transfer — that hit big in the Philippines in the ’80s and ’90s, will be in town for a solo concert tomorrow, June 23, at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire titled Night Songs: A Late Night Interlude. 

Below is an exclusive one-on-one interview with Janis:

What inspires Janis Siegel now?

“I’ve been enjoying learning to sing in different languages… Greek, Spanish and Portuguese. I don’t think I’m ready for Tagalog yet though.”

How long have you been singing with Manhattan Transfer?

“I am a founding and current member of The Manhattan Transfer and have been singing with them for 42 years.”

What are your favorite songs in your albums and why?

“I’m assuming you mean favorite songs from my 10 solo records. On my three CDs with pianist Fred Hersch, I really love How Deep Is The Ocean, Invisible War and the Todd Rundgren tune Pretending To Care. From the records I did with producer Joel Dorn, I am fond of Back To The Islands, Go Away Little Boy and My, How The Time Goes By. From my Latin-tinged CD, A Thousand Beautiful Things, I really am happy with Nellie McKay’s The Suitcase Song, the title cut A Thousand Beautiful Things and ’Til Then (which I sang at my father’s funeral.”

Who are the international artists you admire and why?

“I am very much into world music and love to listen and analyze music from other cultures as a way of understanding the people. From Brazil, I love Guinga, Monica Salmaso, Ivan Lins, Nando Lauria, Jobim, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil, Joao Bosco and on and on. From the Cape Verde islands… Sara Tavares. I listen to European artists like Wolfgang Muthspiel, Til Bronner, and Norma Winstone, and also artists from China, Africa, Scandinavia and Bulgaria.”

What influence did you have over the success of Manhattan Transfer?

“Over the years, I have written many of the vocal arrangements for the group. Because of my background in singing pop music, I was able to contribute lead vocals to many of the Transfer’s biggest hits such as Operator, Chanson D’Amour, Mystery, Spice of Life, Twilight Zone, Birdland, Shaker Song, Boy From NYC and Sassy.” 

How is Manhattan Transfer now? Can you tell us about the songs in the new album?

“The songs in Night Songs all have a languid late night vibe… songs you might listen to while relaxing after a hard day’s work, at home, with a drink and a loved one. The CD also documents my budding musical relationship with pianist/arranger John di Martino, whom I met on The Jazz Cruise a couple of years ago. I have some original lyrics, also tunes by Randy Newman, Janelle Monae, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Brenda Russell.”

Where are you headed in your career?

“I am still performing and touring with The Manhattan Transfer and we are working towards a new recording project. I have been teaching much more, I’m quite involved with a new Brazilian project with partners Nanny Assis from Bahia and John di Martino. And I also tour with my own group doing music from my solo projects. I love collaboration and diversity…so I believe I will continue to enjoy singing many different styles with different artists. I’m also thinking about a cooking show and perhaps a trip back to school myself.”

What will the Filipino audience expect from your show tomorrow night? 

“For my very first solo performance in the Philippines, I am going to try and present a balance of songs from my latest CD and other solo CDs, and several tunes which I am hopeful the audience will recognize. I will have two accomplished and versatile musicians with me from N.Y.C., John di Martino on piano and Boris Koslov on bass. The vocal group The CompanY will be sitting in with me for one special song. I think it will be an extraordinary evening of music.”

How many times have you performed in the Philippines? What did you enjoy or remember from the previous show?

“The very first time I was in the Philippines was in the ’80s and I remember we stayed at the historic Manila Hotel. One beautiful memory I have is of a Filipino church vocal group singing a cappella for us on the street. One of the boys in the group was ‘adopted’ by my partner Tim Hauser who sponsored him to go to music school. Since then, we have been to the Philippines quite a few times, playing both in Manila and Cebu.

“We have become close friends with the wonderful vocal group The CompanY and I also have a working relationship with Jose Mari Chan, another marvelous artist and incredible gentleman, whose songs I have produced with a collection of 15 NY-based singers. The record is called The Manhattan Connection and it featured singers like Lisa Fischer, Laurel Massé, Lauren Kinhan, Kelley Lee Evans and Theo Bleckmann.

“One of my dearest friends was the Pinoy jazz pianist, the late Bobby Enriquez (‘The Wildman of Mindanao’) and he got me interested in Filipino food and in the beauty of his country. We played together many times and he actually performed at my wedding.

And three more things — lumpia, adobo and lechon.”