MANILA, Philippines -- Aiza Seguerra and Cooky Chua attempt to prove that jazz can be mainstream preference through “Love Jazztified” happening Oct. 7 at the Music Museum.

A former child actress, Aiza managed to carve her own space in the music industry starting with her breakout hit “Pagdating Ng Panahon.”

Aiza just came back from a series of shows in the USA with the Sessionistas, and is excited to do a new genre of songs – jazz & blues – with Cooky Chua.

Why jazz?

“I’ve been asked the same question several times,” Aiza revealed. “It’s the impression that jazz is only for a special kind of an audience, those who really appreciate jazz. But that is not true. Jazz is for every lover of music!”

Aiza added that “Love Jazztified” will start with soft jazz, and later becomes more serious. “Some of the songs – many are so popular – will only be given a jazzy interpretation or rendition.”

She encourages people to listen to diverse genres while describing jazz as “a very sensual” type of music.

Aiza describes her singing career as one simple journey, though there had been rough times. “I want to write and compose more songs,” she said as she refused to rest on her laurels.

Among the jazz favorites Aiza and Cooky will be performing in “Love Jazztified” are “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “Power Of Two,” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

“Love Jazztified” is a production of Greenlights Events & Productions and is directed by Calvin Neria and written for stage by Ibarra Mateo, with Mike Villegas as musical director.

Gretchen graces watch exhibit opening

Gretchen Barretto will grace the opening tomorrow, Oct. 7, of Baume & Mercier’s exhibit at the Fashion Walk Greenbelt 5, Makati City. On exhibit till Oct. 19 is Baume & Mercier’s latest collections, inspired by seaside living.

Baume & Mercier is one of the greatest houses of Swiss watch-making. Christian Bartosch, Managing Director of Baume & Mercier North East Asia, will be arriving in Manila to attend the event.

“We are excited to showcase Baume & Mercier’s latest collection to the Philippine market because Filipinos are known for their refined taste and sophisticated style,” explains Emerson Yao, Managing Director of Lucerne, the exclusive distributor of Baume & Mercier in the Philippines.

‘Sound of Music’ at RWM

After the Leo Valdez show (successfully staged despite typhoon “Pedring”), Resorts World Manila stages “The Sound of Music,” directed by Roxanne Lapus and featuring Joanna Ampil in the role of Maria and Audie Gemora as Captain Von Trapp. Pinky Amador plays Baronness Elsa Schraeder.

The Von Trapp children are played by Paolo Luis Ocampo, Luis Nieto (Friendrich), Danille Sanghio, Rebecca Coates (Louisa), Atasha Muhlach, Janina Punzalan, Alessandra Allado (Brigitta), Roberto Sison, Anton Posadas, Justin Sian (Kurt), Alida Moberg, Paula Therese Zamesa, Sofia Yabyabin (Marta), Alexa Villarroel and Shanti Gleason (Gretti).

“The Sound of Music” will run from Oct. 15-Dec. 11, 2011. For more details, visit www.rwmanila.com.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Thrusday, Oct. 6, go to Lou Bonnevie, Ma. Victoria Araneta-Concepcion, Elena Chiongbian Young of Cebu, Carmen Dy-Liaco, Susan Joven, Rosario Agustin, Dona Rosario,  Sevillano Ablan, Sonia Domingo Sadsad, Lilibeth Josue, Marivic Tengco, Jiggy Cruz, Chef Joey Carbon, Letty M. Talag, Justice Mila A. German, and US-based Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil… Happy wedding anniversary to Lulu and Manny Geslani… Visiting Euro-Fil rugby star Gaz dela Rosa Holgate will visit Buayang Bato in Mandaluyong today to donate books to school and pupils under the National Bookstore Foundation. On Oct. 9, he will do a “meet n’ greet” with the children of Child Hope Asia...