‘It's about time Jazz is here again’: David Benoit reconnects with Pinoy audiences

No one was more thrilled to set foot on the Manila concert stage again than David Benoit, who had a long-awaited rendezvous with his Manila audience last July 20 after 12 years of not performing in the Philippines.

The jazz pianist-composer undoubtedly missed the Philippines so much though it took him a decade to return and perform in Manila again.

His full-house concert last weekend at The Theater at Solaire was undoubtedly well-received, proof that his Filipino fans missed him. Concert producer was Jessie Cambosa of DMC Philippines.

The septuagenarian David, who is turning 71 this August, still delivered his well-loved music appreciated by his audience.

The vocal quartet, The CompanY (Moy Ortiz, Annie Quintos, Sweet Plantado and OJ Mariano), opened the concert by singing their hits — Baka Ikaw, Sana Nga Ikaw Na, Muntik Na Kitang Minahal, Everlasting Love, Pakisabi Na Lang, Now That I Have You — before David emerged onstage to regale the crowd.

“The COVID-19 put a stop to everything,” David lamented. “It has taken that long for everyone to be back on the live performance stage.”

“I kept calling promoters. ‘Hey, I want to go back.’ I’m just so happy to be back. I missed the Filipino people. They’re so nice, generous and so appreciative.

“I’ve made friends here. I love the reception that I get here. I like the people here. They are so warm and friendly. The food is delicious. I miss performing here. I haven’t visited the islands. Maybe next time.”

The last time David was in Manila was in 2014, when he performed with other foreign artists for a benefit concert for Typhoon Haiyan that happened in November 2013.

“So, it’s nice to be back on my own after a decade,” he said.

David first came to the Philippines back in 1981 when he performed with a full orchestra, including a horn and string section, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines with then First Lady Imelda Marcos in the audience.

In 2012, David performed at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT), with former President Noynoy Aquino in the audience.

“Years before, I also performed for (President) Cory Aquino,” David granted.

He started his latest concert with Pick Up the Pieces, an average white band’s disco tune. Then, from his latest, 10-track album, Timeless, David gave a sample of the new tunes — Café Rio and Fuzzy Logic.

He went on to entertain the crowd with his popular music. Kei’s Song is a piece written by David for his Japanese wife of 39 years, Kei, whom he met on the plane to Hawaii.

Freedom at Midnight with Dix Lucero on sax, was played on David’s first Manila tour in 1981. David also rendered If I Could Reach Rainbows, Every Step of the Way and Stages, which still gets requests to play it even when he’s in the US.

Drive Time is a track that David reorchestrated for his big band Timeless album, with Archie Lacorte on saxophone.

“I don’t do vocals,” David stressed to his audience.

So some of his tunes would need an interpreter. Like when Annie of The CompanY delivered Land of the Loving, originally recorded by Diane Reeves that became the “unofficial tourism song of the Philippines.”

Sweet, meanwhile, dished out Promise Me a Carousel, that became part of David’s 42 albums. While OJ rendered You Never Loved Me the Same Way Twice.

“He only learned that song last night,” smilingly remarked David on The CompanY vocalist.

Much applauded was also OJ’s interpretation of Take a Look Inside My Heart.

David subsequently lauded The CompanY and was impressed with their vocal renditions of his songs.

“Fantastic,” he blurted before adding, “Great to have you part of my show tonight. It has been so much fun. I rarely hear the vocals of my songs. So these men and women were a real treat.

“I have another tour in January. I will recommend you guys to be part of that tour. I hope that you can join me.”

Midway into the concert, David announced his CDs were being sold at The Theatre gift shop. However, when we checked at the end of the show, the merchandise were already sold out. Proof that his music is still well-loved by his Filipino fans.

He was swarmed by fans who sought for his autographs on CDs and vinyls after the concert, as well as souvenir shots with him.

“I heard the concert scene in Manila is now very stable,” said David. “Things are going very well. I was talking to my producer, Jessie (Cambosa), who told me the jazz concerts are just starting to return.

“I believe I’m the first jazz artist to come back. That has taken some time. There’s been a 10-year drought. The K-pop artists have all returned.

“It’s about time jazz is here again. It doesn’t just come back right away. It takes time. I just love every time I come here. I’m very excited. Maybe next year, I’ll start coming back regularly.”

When he returns home, David will continue his concert tour in the US. He has four performances in California scheduled next month and another one in New Jersey in December.