Engelbert Humperdinck

Those who have heard the ’60s hit songs “Release Me,” “Quando, Quando, Quando” and “Strangers In The Night,” among many others, must have been instantly captivated by their soothing melodies and profound lyrics that made them all-time favorites among millions throughout the world.

But listening to these classics performed “live” by their original singer makes the experience a truly exhilarating and unforgettable one every music enthusiast will relish and treasure for a long time.

And if the singer happens to be Engelbert Humperdinck, the beauty of the song and the exceptional talent and style of the artist make a perfect combination that never fails to turn a performance into a highly-acclaimed act.

Humperdinck, one of the hottest male pop singers and performers in the ’60s, will transport local fans to an enchanting time of love and romance through an awesome array of great hits when he comes to Manila for a major concert on June 22 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Dubbed as “Engelbert Hum-perdinck Live In Manila!,” the show to be mounted by Ovation Productions brings back to the concert scene one of the world’s biggest names in music and entertainment who has charmed millions with his rich repertoire that encompasses a broad range of genres.

Among the classic hits popularized by Humperdinck in his sweet, powerful voice are “Release Me,” “Quando, Quando, Quando,” “The Way It Used To Be,” “Strangers In The Night,” “After The Loving,” “Dance The Night Away,” “Spanish Eyes,” “There Goes My Everything,” “Am I That Easy To Forget,” and many more.

Humperdinck’s coming performance is the latest leg in his world tour to support his new album, “Legacy Of Love,” and which is taking him from Paris to Pennsylvania, Moscow to Manchester, and Las Vegas to Vienna.

The CD, where the artist revisits many of his greatest hits, is the latest addition to his unmatched musical heritage that includes sales of a staggering 150 million albums worldwide, including 64 Gold and 24 Platinum, during a successful career spanning more than 40 years.

It follows “A Taste Of Country,” his 2009 album that pays tribute to the musical genre that launched his early career and which has been recorded with his patented Humperdinck “stamp.”

It has been an amazing journey for this living legend who never dreamed of becoming a singer but who has evolved into one of the world’s most instantly recognized voices, a consummate entertainer acclaimed for his unequaled style and sophistication and sensitive interpretation of lyrics.

Born as Arnold George Dorsey in Madras, India, he grew up in Leicester, England, where he showed his passion for music by playing the saxophone at an early age until, at 17, his vocal talent for impersonation was discovered during a singing contest in a pub.

He was immediately dubbed Gerry Dorsey by his fans for giving the world’s finest impersonation of Jerry Lewis, but his new-found popularity in the UK under this moniker was cut short when he was taken ill and sidelined for six months.

The all-new Humperdinck, with his patented deep voice and thick sideburns, burst into the music scene in the ’60s with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones, during which the erstwhile shy and handsome boy catapulted almost instantly to the status of world icon.

His debut single “Release Me,” became an instant hit when it went into the Guinness Book of Records for staying 56 weeks in the charts and became No. 1 in 11 countries.

In the ’70s, he scored a steady stream of hits, including the Grammy-nominated “After The Lovin,’” “Winter World Of Love,” “Am I That Easy To Forget?,” “The Last Waltz,” “There Goes My Everything,” “Les Bicyclettes des Belsize,” “This Moment In Time” and “A Man Without Love.”

Aside from touring the world before sell-out crowds in Great Britain, United States, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Canada and Southeast Asia, he has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, several US presidents and many other heads of states.

Among the numerous accolades he has received for his achievements were the 1967 Royal Variety Club award, the 1978 “Georgia Award” for “Entertainer of the Year” from the American Guild of Variety Artists, and the 2001 “Spirit of Entertainer Award” from the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

“Engelbert Humperdinck Live In Manila!” is sponsored by The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Edsa Shangri-La Manila and RJ 100.3 FM. It is also supported by 105.1 Crossover, 96.3 Easy Rock, 90.7 Love Radio, 97.9 Home Radio, 104.3 DWBR and OptimaSignsolutions.

Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores and at the Araneta Coliseum and Ovation Production.

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Jazz singer signs up with Arnold V.

Upcoming jazz singer Jet Noguchi recently signed up with ALV Talent Circuit.

Born and raised in San Diego, California, the 22-year-old Japanese/Fil-American is currently taking up Economics at the University of California in San Diego. She came to Manila in 2008 to pursue her lifelong ambition to be a singer, and started off doing solo stints at the Eastwood City Central Plaza.

Jet spent her formative years watching the Filipino Channel, “ASAP” and other Pinoy shows on cable TV, and is a devout fan of Gary V, Martin and Lani Misalucha, alongside Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark and Karen Carpenter. Despite being more at home with jazz standards and Broadway tunes, her wide vocal range affords her the versatility to cover various musical genres. Right after high school, she even joined an alternative rock band, Roosevelt, which toured the San Diego rock circuit for a year.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on May 26 go to Comm. Fe Aldave Yap, Iking Araneta, Evelyn Recio-Cruz, John Rex Tiu, Naomi Sandiko, Cely Cabalza, Neressa C. dela Cruz, Lita Torralta-Logarta, Brig. Gen. Raul S. Imperial, May B. Savellano Acosta, Dr. Jo Catapang, Liza Rodriguez, Kareen Cabrera, Josephine Elicano, and Felipe A. Somera. Happy wedding anniversary to Jules and Elizabeth Roaro. Walker, one of the country’s pioneers in quality underwear is giving away free notebook this whole month of May. Simply buy Walker products worth P350 on a single purchase and you will get a cool and handy notebook from Walker, available at all SM Dept. stores and Hypermarket nearest your area.