CHRIS BOTTI

MANILA, Philippines — Another foreign artist Pinoy music fans are looking forward to watch is Grammy award winning trumpet master Chris Botti who Radio High 105.9 is bring over for a one-night performance at the Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater on June 19.

After a magnificent live gig which formally launched Radio High 105.9 at the Greenbelt Fashion Walk last Nov. 4, Botti is set to reclaim the Manila stage with an all-new repertoire, plus a few fresh faces in his band line-up including Lisa Fisher. The concert crowd will also be warmed up by a pre-event show featuring eminent jazz vocalists Richard Merk and Verni Varga.

Hailed as the largest selling American jazz instrumental artist, Chris Botti has amassed a following in the adult contemporary market for developing a unique and signature fusion sound. His decades-long career has seen him sharing the stage with music greats like Sting, Paul Simon, Steven Tyler, Yo Yo Ma, John Mayer, Michael Bublé and Josh Groban, and collaborating with legends such as Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Mark Knopfler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, David Foster and Natalie Cole.

He has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and sold over three million albums to date, from his groundbreaking 1995 debut album First Wish, to his latest anthology dubbed Impressions under Sony Records.

The second staging of “Chris Botti Live In Manila!” will benefit the Young Musicians Development Organization (YMDO), and is being presented by Globe Telecoms and Resorts World Manila.

Incidentally, Richard Merk’s latest CD entitled “Forever” will be released by Star Records. Songs in the album include “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” “Here’s The Rainy Day,” “Where Is Love,” “Smile,” “It Had To Be You,” “The Shadow Of Your Smile,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “What A Wonderful World,” “My Foolish Heart,” “When I Fall In Love,” and “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life.”

For ticket inquiries and reservations, log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.

• • •

DK Valdez Releases Debut Album

Thailand-based singer-composer and performing artist DK Valdez released recently his debut album aptly titled “DK Valdez…It’s All About Love” which we were told has been topping the charts lately at Astrovision and Astroplus.

The carrier single, “Tatanggapin Pa Ba Kita?” was composed by DK himself. Filled with emotions, the song echoes his sentiments over lost love. He said he was inspired to compose the song for his former girlfriend who left him for another man while he was away working in Thailand. DK related: “I couldn’t help but shed tears while writing the song because I was reminded of how she tried to win me back.”

DK was a member of a boy band when he realized he wanted to find his destiny somewhere. This dream brought him to Thailand where he met a German musical conductor, Win Sigfreid Pentek who brought him to sing with an orchestra in Germany, Russia and other parts of Europe. After which, DK decided to come home to record an album and resume his singing career here.

DK’s dream is to team up with Sarah Geronimo and Angeline Quinto, two of his favorite female artists, in a future concert. Meanwhile, he goes back to Thailand again to fulfill singing engagements there and in Europe.

• • •

Amay Bisaya Marks A Milestone

Character actor Amay Bisaya, who appears in the forthcoming action-drama movie “Pinoy Super Kid: A Boy Scout Hero,” celebrated his 54th birth anniversary recently with dinner sponsored by his producer Noel de Luna at Harbor View Restaurant (owned by Haydee Neypes) at SM Mall of Asia.

Among Amay’s well-wishers included former Jukebox King Victor Wood, the comic group Big 3 Sullivan, and singer-composer Eddie Dhel Horrest who emceed the program and sang a few songs to make merry the occasion, but unfortunately, he passed away recently Amay told us. Eddie is the brother of Gen. Alexander Estomo.

Others spotted at Amay’s party included Atty. Vic Millora, Pamboy Lorenzo, Boy George, and D’Brothers, Dr. Manuel Arquiza, and Francis Natividad.

By the way, Amay told us, he is set to run for governor of his province Bohol in the 2013 elections. Good luck, Amay!

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 31, go to William Martinez, Alex Ricketts, Cristina Toll of San Francisco, CA; Benhur A. Villanueva, Perlita M. Magno, Leslie Ann Ong-Santos, Ruby Velasco Remie of New York, Adel Almontero of Middlesex England, Desiree Kate A, Silan of Queens Village, New York, and MB’s Jojo Gaela…