Jazz Legend Eumir Deodato

Jazz legend and Grammy Award winner Eumir Deodato is out to captivate and enthrall his Filipino fans with his concert slated on Saturday night at Theater 1 of SMX Convention Center at SM Mall of Asia. Billed as “Deodato the Whirlwind Tour 2010,” it is mounted by Steve O’Neal Productions with Billboard and Dusit Thani Hotel as presenters. Special guest is Ms. Janet Basco.

Born Eumir Deodato de Almeida in Rio de Janeiro, his music was primarily based in the jazz realm “but historically has been known for eclectic melding of big band and combo jazz with varied elements of rock/pop, R&B/funk, Brazilian/Latin or crossover jazz.” Deodato’s great success as keyboardist started in the 70s and from then on has produced or arranged music in more than 500 albums for top artists like Kool and the Gang, Bjork, Christopher and k.d.lang. By the way, Deodato’s daughter Jennya, is married to Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin.

His first album in the US, “Prelude,” released in 1973, was a big band jazz style that instantly attracted a wide audience. His funky version of Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” won the 1974 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and went to No. 2 in the US pop charts, No. 3 in Canada and No. 7 in the UK.

Aside from his US album “Prelude” Deodato also produced a lot of hit singles like “Moonlight Serenade,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Spirit of Summer,” “Super Strut,” “Do It Again,” “Havana Strut,” “San Juan Sunset,” “Whirlwinds,” “Watsui Strut,” “Whistle Stop,” “and his dance hits “SOS, Fire in the Sky,” and “Are You For Real,” among others.

Other notable Deodato albums include “Skyscrapers,” “Deodato 2,” “Whirlwinds,” “Deodato: Airto in Concert,” “Artistry,” “First Cuckoo,” “Very Together,” “2001,” “Love Island,” “Night Cruiser,” among others.

In his concert on Saturday night (and on Sunday at the grand ballroom of Dusit Thani Hotel), expect only the creative musicality of Eumir Deodato to take centerstage and win the hearts of Filipino music lovers. His repertoire will definitely be the best of his works, the musical obras that have made him the legend that he has become.

“Deodato the Whirlwind Tour 2010” is sponsored by Business Mirror, SMX Mall of Asia, Mang Inasal, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.99RT, Sony Music and RJ 100FM. Tickets are available at TicketWorld, Ayala Malls, Robinsons, and National Book Stores.

‘Doc’ to stars is also an artist

Many don’t know but popular “doctor to the stars,” weight loss guru and beauty doctor Joel Mendez is also an artist. In the 1980s, while he was taking up his masters in Anthropology at UP, he also enrolled at the UP College of Fine Arts.

Art has also become his passion, which is no surprise, since art also means beauty. His preoccupation with art, however, did not stop with painting his own masterpieces. Joel also helps young and struggling artists realize their dreams and among them is Ronald Ventura who is now one of the most successful contemporary artists in Southeast Asia.

About two years ago, Joel put up the Big & Small Art Co. and took in other young, promising visual artists to be his gallery’s resident artists.

Constantly seeking venues to propagate art and artistic causes, Joel has joined Manila Art ’10, the biggest and most prestigious art fair in the Philippines. It is being held at the SMX Convention Center of Mall of Asia till Aug. 1.

Aside from showcasing the art works of Filipino artists, Manila Art ’10 will also hold an auction of chosen masterpieces on July 31. Four art works from Big & Small Art Co. are included in the auction, one of them by Ronald Ventura, called “Nude 2.”

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on July 31 go to former QC Mayor Brigido Simon, Jr., Ms. Aying de Leon, Romulo M. del Rosario, Marietta Guanzon-Helmsgren, Candy Dizon-Morales, Jemelene Go Que, Jennifer H. Anonuevo, Florencio C. David, Gerome Tabios, Nenita Nathan, Tummi Candelaria, Janet Pasco-Esta, Igi Boy Floresm Letty A. del Rosario and ABS-CBN’s Mario Dumaual. The Caraig-Mangaban Golden Wedding Ceremonies will take place on Saturday, July 31, 4 p.m. at the Aquinas Parish Church in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Reception will be held at San Antonio Heights Clubhouse, Phase 1. Marcial and Telay’s 50th wedding is organized by their loving kids Maristela, Emil, Willy, Ernesto and Jun.