December 30, 2015 – By Rowena Tan, Manila Bulletin

a7888b05-Jack JonesMusic icon Jack Jones is ending 2015 fruitfully by doing a good deed via the two-night concert he is holding in the country.

The series dubbed “Jack Jones Sings Songs From The Heart” held last night at the Kia Theater and tonight, Dec. 30, at Novotel Manila will benefit the Kaagapay ng Tagapagligtas Incorporated; a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the benefit of the families of SAF 44, a group of policemen who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao early in 2015.

“I’m very happy to do the concert because I want to help the people in your country. Doing the concert is a bonus for me because the money that we earn will be put to good use,” he said in an interview.

At the concert, Jack is joined by Filipino crooner Jose Mari Chan.

“Jose Mari and I became friends when he went to one of my shows, and we had dinner. Since then, we have been updating ourselves through e-mail,” he said of his friend, an award-winning singer-songwriter if ever there was one.

Also featured in the show was “Asia’s Got Talent” second runner-up Gerphil Geraldine Flores. Asked if he would like to cut a record with her, he answered, “We haven’t talked about it yet but I heard she (Gerphil) is a fantastic singer.”

As to recording another song with Jose Mari, he said, “Let’s see what happens next year…”

Until then, Jack has a new album out titled “Seriously Frank.” The 22-song collection is his tribute to the late, great Frank Sinatra, who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2015.

Jack’s favorite track in the album is “Teach Me Tonight.” A close second is “The Singer,” which was written for Frank but remained unrecorded until now. A tour of Britain to promote the album is underway.

“These songs are really special to me,” Jack said.

The iconic singer hopes to have a duet with Canadian jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall in the near future.

“She is in my wish list. She is a wonderful singer,” he said.

Looking back
The 77-year-old regularly visits the country so he is familiar with Filipino culture.

“I’ve been coming here for about 25 years or so, ’coz it’s like part of the neighborhood for me,” said the American crooner.

Jack rose to fame with the 1962 hit “Lollipops And Roses,” which earned him a Grammy for Best Pop Male Vocal. He won a Grammy for “Wives And Lovers” the following year. Some of his other hits were “Dear Heart” “The Race Is On,” “Lady,” “Call Me Irresponsible,” “Love Boat,” “What I Did For Love” and of course, “The Impossible Dream.”

Jack, who also has several acting credits to his name, acknowledged his parents – actress Irene Hervey, and actor-singer Allan Jones – in helping steer his career to unparalleled heights.

“I didn’t appreciate it early on but it saved me,” he said.

Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/jack-jones-closes-2015-with-concert-in-ph/#03K3gCv9tVVSg6Lw.99