Showing posts with label Charito. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charito. Show all posts

Monday, January 25, 2021

Charito - When Summer Comes

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:59
Size: 111,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:47) 1. Feelin' Good
(5:00) 2. Imagine
(6:57) 3. If I Ain't Got You
(5:28) 4. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
(4:50) 5. Come Sunday
(4:49) 6. Lovely Day
(6:10) 7. Body And Soul
(3:35) 8. I'll Be Seeing You
(5:18) 9. When Summer Comes

Charito, the top singer in the Japanese jazz world. Session album with Ari Masanori Piano Trio. Created with the aim of encouraging all those affected by the new coronavirus!

Recognized as one of the most individual and creative jazz vocalists in today's Japan jazz circuit. Acclaimed by critics, musicians and audiences as one of the most powerful and talented artists, she has definitely notched a place for herself in Japan's exclusive music world, and is now gaining note abroad. She has ten albums released with most recordings done in US, Canada and Brazil. Her highly personal and expressive vocal style incorporates the breadth of her musical interests, from straight-ahead soulful ballads to hard-swinging grooves and improvisational adventures. Her approach is fresh and invigorating, paying tribute to the jazz tradition while interacting and exploring, always seeking to express herself in the moment. In Ms. Nancy Wilson's words, “The first time I heard Charito, I physically and emotionally embraced her and thought myself BEAUTIFUL, that came from the heart and the soul. She has a warm way of presenting a song and she represents what a singer really is, a song stylist.” This Girl (1990) Her career began its highlights after her first album This Girl was launched in 1990 by Nippon Crown, being the first foreign artist under their label. This opened more doors for her followed by her next albums commercial successes.

More than anything, her experiences working with top notch musicians in the likes of Harry Whitaker, Alex Blake and Wallace Rooney on Swing My Way (1991/NIPPON CROWN), Maurice White on Shades of Love (1992/NIPPON CROWN), collaboration with Cornell Dupree, Buddy Williams, David Espinozza on Love of My Life (1993/NIPPON CROWN), added prestige to her work and has helped in making her a figure in today's music world. In projecting herself as an artist, she included in her albums two famous Philippine love songs partly to affirm her roots as a Filipino. She promotes a more positive image of her country and continuously helps bring about cultural awareness through music. For her efforts, she was honored with an award of commendation as Ambassador of Goodwill, in acknowledgment of her support to the promotional activities of the Philippine department of Tourism in Japan. This talented artist has already entranced the North American audience during a 1995 tour in Chicago, New York, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal as vocalist for the Asian Jazz All Stars headed by Terumasa Hino, Japan's foremost jazz trumpet player. In 1996, they also toured Korea, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan, capped by a performance at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival held in Yokohama Japan.

Charito also performed for the first time before a 70,000 audience at the Montreal Jazz Festival in July 1996 (a first for a Philippine artist). This was followed by the release of her album Forevermore (1995/ NIPPON CROWN) and later in Canada and the US under Lost Chart label making her mark as a world class act. In 1997, she was part of the Lost Chart Ensemble, a French Canadian group for a tour in Canada and for a second time at the Montreal Jazz Festival. During this period she did recordings for two new albums, A Time for Love (1998/LOST CHART) and To the Beat of Your Heart (1999/TOP CHART) for international market. In 1998, she toured several major cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Chengdu) as featured vocalist of the Lost Chart Ensemble for the Beijing Jazz Festival showcase, followed by shows in Tokyo, as part of the promotional tour. In 1999, she performed at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur with ASIANA, a group formed by Jeremy Monteiro composed of some of the best Asian musicians in both jazz and traditional instruments. They played an interesting blend of music mixing ethnic sounds with jazz harmony and improvisation.

The year 2000 was highlighted by several performances outside Japan. She was vocalist for World Jazz All Stars, a group of renowned jazz musicians formed by Terumasa Hino for inaugural concerts and workshop series held at the newly opened LG Arts Center in Seoul, Korea. 2001 was a turning point for Charito when her attention was diverted towards charity work. She formed Because We Care Group using music as the key channel to take meaningful actions and effective programs to increase awareness among concerned citizens by helping those in need, especially the children. Charito has since then held annual concerts and charity shows where proceeds have gone to various centers and organizations working for children in the Japan and the Philippines. 2002 brought on more international collaboration at the Jazz Club in Hongkong, performances with Lonnie Plaxico and his New York band, gigs with Brazilian Paulo Gomez and friends, highlighted with a special guest performance with the world renowned Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.In 2003, They Say It's Wonderful (2003/CT MUSIC) was released , which she co-produced with Lonnie Plaxico in New York featuring jazz greats Mulgrew Miller, Lewis Nash and Jeremy Pelt. In this recording, Charito once again ventured into a new challenge using unique arranging ideas she helped conceive and then written by Manabu Ohishi, the music director in her band. This year was also highlighted with performances at the Kuchan Jazz Festival, Asahi Jazz Festival and NHK session 505.

2004 marked a new turning point in Charito's career when she teamed up with world famous musician Ivan Lins and released the album Non-Stop To Brazil “Charito meets Ivan Lins” (2004/CT MUSIC) recorded in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Thick, rich, sensuous - jazz-pop vocal arrangements by Ivan and Charito makes this Afro Latin rhythm album very special. This album won her the Swing Journal's Gold Disc Award. This same year she was invited by and performed with Jan Jarczyk's group at the Krakow Jazz festival in Poland representing Japan. She was also invited as faculty for the first time at the Chodziez International Jazz Workshop teaching Polish and international students. Her work earned her much credit and has certainly opened a lot of doors for in Europe, she has been officially invited to do more concerts and to be part of the workshop in the coming years. Charito runs her own voice workshop in Tokyo.

In 2005, Charito's career was off to a good start with the Best Vocal Award 2004 by the Swing Journal for her album Non-Stop to Brazil. But Charito is not one to rest on her laurels. Charito continues to perfect her craft and wow audiences in Japan and internationally. Charito and her Latin Jazz Funk Band was featured as one of the highlights at the Tokyo Jazz 2005 at Tokyo Big Sight where many big name artists from Japan and around the world converge in one stage to bring a dream performance crossing generations and borders. She also performed as part of the Super Unit Session led by Herbie Hancock with Marcus Miller, Ivan Lins among others. 2006 brought on great excitement with her New York recording with the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra. Arranged and conducted by David Matthews, this album was the very first MJO collaboration with a vocalist. Nica's Dream (2006/CT MUSIC) CD launch in June also marked the first club gig ever performed by MJO with Charito. She was also guest at some shows for their SWING, SWING, SWING! Japan Tour 2006, then highlighted at the performance in Suntory Hall in Tokyo. This album received great reviews and was awarded the Swing Journal Gold Disc. This year she also performed for the first time in Augsburg, Germany for the Augustana Hall's jazz series with overwhelming reviews. Here she also conducted a master class workshop for voice students at the Downtown Music Institute. Germany has warmly welcomed Charito and plans to invite her again for festivals and events in the coming year. In January 2007, Nica's Dream received Swing Journal's won Best Vocal Award 2006. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/charito

Personnel: Charito: vocal; Yuki Arimasa: piano; Satsuki Kusui: bass; Umino: drums

Thank You Maineime!

When Summer Comes

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Charito - Now & Always

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:30
Size: 141,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:00)  1. How High The Moon
(4:45)  2. Waltz For Debby
(5:28)  3. You Don't Know What Love Is
(6:04)  4. As
(6:46)  5. The Island
(5:48)  6. God Bless The Child
(5:05)  7. Try A Little Tenderness
(6:41)  8. Lush Life
(4:40)  9. Stella By Starlight
(5:51) 10. That Old Black Magic
(5:18) 11. A Time For Love

Recognized as one of the most individual and creative jazz vocalists in today's Japan jazz circuit. Acclaimed by critics, musicians and audiences as one of the most powerful and talented artists, she has definitely notched a place for herself in Japan's exclusive music world, and is now gaining note abroad. She has ten albums released with most recordings done in US, Canada and Brazil. Her highly personal and expressive vocal style incorporates the breadth of her musical interests, from straight-ahead soulful ballads to hard-swinging grooves and improvisational adventures. Her approach is fresh and invigorating, paying tribute to the jazz tradition while interacting and exploring, always seeking to express herself in the moment. In Ms. Nancy Wilson's words, “The first time I heard Charito, I physically and emotionally embraced her and thought myself BEAUTIFUL, that came from the heart and the soul. She has a warm way of presenting a song and she represents what a singer really is, a song stylist.” This Girl (1990). Her career began its highlights after her first album This Girl was launched in 1990 by Nippon Crown, being the first foreign artist under their label. This opened more doors for her followed by her next albums commercial successes. More than anything, her experiences working with top notch musicians in the likes of Harry Whitaker, Alex Blake and Wallace Rooney on Swing My Way (1991/NIPPON CROWN), Maurice White on Shades of Love (1992/NIPPON CROWN), collaboration with Cornell Dupree, Buddy Williams, David Espinozza on Love of My Life (1993/NIPPON CROWN), added prestige to her work and has helped in making her a figure in today's music world. In projecting herself as an artist, she included in her albums two famous Philippine love songs partly to affirm her roots as a Filipino. She promotes a more positive image of her country and continuously helps bring about cultural awareness through music. For her efforts, she was honored with an award of commendation as Ambassador of Goodwill, in acknowledgment of her support to the promotional activities of the Philippine department of Tourism in Japan.

This talented artist has already entranced the North American audience during a 1995 tour in Chicago, New York, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal as vocalist for the Asian Jazz All Stars headed by Terumasa Hino, Japan's foremost jazz trumpet player. In 1996, they also toured Korea, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan, capped by a performance at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival held in Yokohama Japan. Charito also performed for the first time before a 70,000 audience at the Montreal Jazz Festival in July 1996 (a first for a Philippine artist). This was followed by the release of her album Forevermore (1995/ NIPPON CROWN) and later in Canada and the US under Lost Chart label making her mark as a world class act. In 1997, she was part of the Lost Chart Ensemble, a French Canadian group for a tour in Canada and for a second time at the Montreal Jazz Festival. During this period she did recordings for two new albums, A Time for Love (1998/LOST CHART) and To the Beat of Your Heart (1999/TOP CHART) for international market. In 1998, she toured several major cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Chengdu) as featured vocalist of the Lost Chart Ensemble for the Beijing Jazz Festival showcase, followed by shows in Tokyo, as part of the promotional tour. In 1999, she performed at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur with ASIANA, a group formed by Jeremy Monteiro composed of some of the best Asian musicians in both jazz and traditional instruments. They played an interesting blend of music mixing ethnic sounds with jazz harmony and improvisation. The year 2000 was highlighted by several performances outside Japan. She was vocalist for World Jazz All Stars, a group of renowned jazz musicians formed by Terumasa Hino for inaugural concerts and workshop series held at the newly opened LG Arts Center in Seoul, Korea. 2001 was a turning point for Charito when her attention was diverted towards charity work. She formed Because We Care Group using music as the key channel to take meaningful actions and effective programs to increase awareness among concerned citizens by helping those in need, especially the children. Charito has since then held annual concerts and charity shows where proceeds have gone to various centers and organizations working for children in the Japan and the Philippines.

2002 brought on more international collaboration at the Jazz Club in Hongkong, performances with Lonnie Plaxico and his New York band, gigs with Brazilian Paulo Gomez and friends, highlighted with a special guest performance with the world renowned Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. In 2003, They Say It's Wonderful (2003/CT MUSIC) was released , which she co-produced with Lonnie Plaxico in New York featuring jazz greats Mulgrew Miller, Lewis Nash and Jeremy Pelt. In this recording, Charito once again ventured into a new challenge using unique arranging ideas she helped conceive and then written by Manabu Ohishi, the music director in her band. This year was also highlighted with performances at the Kuchan Jazz Festival, Asahi Jazz Festival and NHK session 505. 2004 marked a new turning point in Charito's career when she teamed up with world famous musician Ivan Lins and released the album Non-Stop To Brazil “Charito meets Ivan Lins” (2004/CT MUSIC) recorded in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Thick, rich, sensuous - jazz-pop vocal arrangements by Ivan and Charito makes this Afro Latin rhythm album very special. This album won her the Swing Journal's Gold Disc Award. This same year she was invited by and performed with Jan Jarczyk's group at the Krakow Jazz festival in Poland representing Japan. She was also invited as faculty for the first time at the Chodziez International Jazz Workshop teaching Polish and international students. Her work earned her much credit and has certainly opened a lot of doors for in Europe, she has been officially invited to do more concerts and to be part of the workshop in the coming years. Charito runs her own voice workshop in Tokyo. In 2005, Charito's career was off to a good start with the Best Vocal Award 2004 by the Swing Journal for her album Non-Stop to Brazil. But Charito is not one to rest on her laurels. Charito continues to perfect her craft and wow audiences in Japan and internationally. Charito and her Latin Jazz Funk Band was featured as one of the highlights at the Tokyo Jazz 2005 at Tokyo Big Sight where many big name artists from Japan and around the world converge in one stage to bring a dream performance crossing generations and borders. She also performed as part of the Super Unit Session led by Herbie Hancock with Marcus Miller, Ivan Lins among others. 2006 brought on great excitement with her New York recording with the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra. Arranged and conducted by David Matthews, this album was the very first MJO collaboration with a vocalist. Nica's Dream (2006/CT MUSIC) CD launch in June also marked the first club gig ever performed by MJO with Charito. She was also guest at some shows for their SWING, SWING, SWING! Japan Tour 2006, then highlighted at the performance in Suntory Hall in Tokyo. This album received great reviews and was awarded the Swing Journal Gold Disc. This year she also performed for the first time in Augsburg, Germany for the Augustana Hall's jazz series with overwhelming reviews. Here she also conducted a master class workshop for voice students at the Downtown Music Institute. Germany has warmly welcomed Charito and plans to invite her again for festivals and events in the coming year. In January 2007, Nica's Dream received Swing Journal's won Best Vocal Award 2006. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/charito

Now & Always

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Charito - Affair to Remember

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:33
Size: 138,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:03)  1. Say It
(3:39)  2. Smile
(3:50)  3. All the Way
(5:03)  4. The Very Thought of You
(3:35)  5. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
(4:08)  6. When October Goes
(3:20)  7. It's Impossible
(4:35)  8. Save Your Love For Me
(4:04)  9. Let's Fall In Love
(5:30) 10. Estate
(4:23) 11. Love Beware
(3:26) 12. Till the End of Time
(3:51) 13. An Affair to Remember

Distinctively a most prominent jazz vocalist in Japan with multi-awarded albums recorded and released internationally, Charito’s artistry continues to establish its global presence with her recent and forthcoming tours in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America. Her highly personal and expressive vocal style incorporates the breadth of her musical interests, from straight-ahead soulful ballads to hard-swinging grooves and improvisational adventures. Her approach is fresh and invigorating, paying tribute to the jazz tradition while interacting and exploring, always seeking to express herself in the moment. https://www.charito.com/biography/

Personnel:  Charito (Vocal); Soichi Noriki (Piano); Benisuke Sakai (Bass); Kengo Nakamura (Bass); Gene Jackson (Drums).

Affair to Remember

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Charito - Watch What Happens: Charito Meets Michel Legrand

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:14
Size: 143,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:03)  1. Watch What Happens
(5:08)  2. Summer Me, Winter Me
(5:40)  3. The First Time
(3:19)  4. Pieces Of Dreams
(4:23)  5. Once Upon A Summer Time
(5:49)  6. How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
(6:48)  7. What Are You Doing The Best Of Your Life?
(3:45)  8. Quand On S'Aime
(3:01)  9. Ask Yourself Why
(6:05) 10. You Must Believe In Spring
(4:22) 11. I Will Wait For You
(3:41) 12. The Windmills Of Your Mind
(6:05) 13. The Summer Knows

Recognized as a prominent jazz singer in Japan, Philippine-born songbird Charito has been a vocal force in Asia and Europe since the early 1990s, and now presents perhaps her most ambitious project to date on Watch What Happens, a delightful collaboration with Grammy Award-winning French composer Michel Legrand. Stating that "This album has become one of my biggest accomplishments ever," Charito does, indeed, deliver a classy performance with her distinctive interpretation of love songs from Legrand's songbook. The singer embarks on an American tour of a project, recorded in France and originally released in Europe in 2008. Gifted with a beautiful, velvet voice, Charito's calm, laidback approach to the music serves her quite well. When Legrand accepted a request from the singer to perform a tune or two with the diva, the project shifted, from the original plan of a series of French love songs played by French musicians, to a collection of Legrand compositions sung exclusively, of course, with the maestro. 

Legrand plays piano as part of the jazz combo, scats on several pieces, and performs a duet with the singer on "Summer Me, Winter Me," "Pieces Of Dreams," and "Quand On S'Aime," where both artists sing in French and seem to have fun with the lyrics. With Alain Mayeras sharing piano duties and providing the musical arrangements, Charito is simply mesmerizing on the title piece, "The First Time," and beautiful "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life," from the 1969 movie The Happy Ending all accompanied by a full orchestra and string section (unfortunately, neither the orchestra or many of the key players are listed). Charito lends stylish interpretations to a couple of other Legrand compositions associated with film classics like "The Windmills of Your Mind," from The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) and "The Summer Knows," from the 1971 flick Summer of '42 (1971). 

Though their meeting in Paris was not truly by chance, this recording was never really in the plans and, as luck would have it, Watch What Happens turns out to be a musical invitation that embraces the talents of a legend and the vocal energy of a very special singer. On Watch What Happens, Charito meets Michel Legrand, and the results is a wonderful album of mature light jazz. ~ Edward Blanco https://www.allaboutjazz.com/watch-what-happens-charito-ct-music-review-by-edward-blanco.php

Personnel: Charito: vocals; Michel Legrand: piano, vocals; Alain Mayeras: piano, arranger; orchestra and other players unlisted.

Watch What Happens: Charito Meets Michel Legrand

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Charito - American Gold Standards: Charito Meets Tamir Hendelman

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:39
Size: 158,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:21)  1. I've Got the World on a String
(4:16)  2. Dearly Beloved
(6:42)  3. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry
(4:46)  4. Blue Skies
(5:33)  5. I Get a Kick Out of You
(5:25)  6. Do It Again
(5:02)  7. Cheek to Cheek
(5:59)  8. Blues in the Night
(5:23)  9. It's Magic
(4:14) 10. A Fine Romance
(6:18) 11. Dreamer
(5:36) 12. The Man I Love
(5:58) 13. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

Excited to share the upcoming Japanese release of vocalist Charito’s American Gold Standards: Charito meets Tamir Hendelman. I first met Manila-born, Tokyo-based jazz vocalist Charito in Japan when she sat in with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Her soulful spark, the way she sings from the heart- stayed with me.  Years later, we finally got to collaborate and it was truly a joyous occasion. Charito has recorded with Ivan Lins, Michel Legrand and Harvey Mason on some special projects.  This was a chance to pay tribute to the Great American Songbook. It was all about breathing new life to this classic songs by Irving Berlin,Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jobim and more. We hope you enjoy the music…

Personnel:  Charito (Vocals); Tamir Hendelman (Piano); John Clayton (Bass); Jeff Hamilton (Drums); Lori Bell (Flute); Gilbert Castellanos (Trumpet); Graham Dechter (Guitar).

American Gold Standards: Charito Meets Tamir Hendelman