The American crooner is in town for a two-night concert at the Kia Theatre.
MANILA, Philippines – American singer Jack Jones considers the Philippines as one of his favorite places to visit, having gone to the country so many times.
“I’ve been coming here [to the Philippines] for about 25 years or so… I’ve been coming here for so long, it’s like part of the neighborhood for me,” Jack said during the press conference for his two-night concert Jack Jones Sings from the Heart, Monday, December 28.
Jack recalled that he has performed a number of times in the country, including at the Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s always a pleasure performing in the Philippines because a lot of Filipinos are serious music lovers,” the singer said in a press release.
“[The] Philippines is a country very close to my heart. I didn’t have second thoughts on leaving the US on Christmas Day just to get to Manila in time for the concert dates.” (IN PHOTOS: Jack Jones arrives in Manila)
For his December 29 and 30 concerts at the Kia Theatre in Quezon City, Jack’s guests will be his long-time friend, Jose Mari Chan, and Asia’s Got Talent 2nd runner-up Gerphil Flores.
Jack and Jose Mari will be doing a duet of “Wives and Lovers” in the concert. The song won Jack a Grammy in 1964.
“It was his (Jose Mari’s) request that we do it,” Jack said, pertaining to the song.
Aside from his other hits such as “Lollipops and Roses” and “The Love Boat” theme,” Jack will perform songs from his new album Seriously Frank, a tribute to Frank Sinatra, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year.
Asked what songs he loved from the album, Jack said he likes “Teach Me Tonight” and “The Singer,” which Frank performed but did not write.
Having done two tribute albums, Jack now wants to do an album that would hopefully feature duets with other artists.
“We’re compiling a list of singers now that I would like to sing with,” Jack said, adding that given a chance, he would love to perform a song with Canadian pianist and singer Diana Krall.
He is also open to doing an album that would have all of the Beatles classics.
“That would be a possibility… that would be good because everyone knows a Beatles song,” he said.
As for whether he will sing his version of John Lennon’s song “Imagine,” Jack said he’s open to it, depending on the request.
Part of the proceeds of Jack’s concert will go to the Kaagapay ng Tagapagligtas Incorporated, a non-profit organization raising funds for the benefit of the orphans and dependents of the SAF 44, the elite cops who died in the Mamasapano clash last January. – Rappler.com
