Jose Miguel Brings Back The Big Band Sound To The Manila Gig Scene – Review

Jazz, while not a common presence in Manila’s vibrant gig scene, has found a cozy niche at Tago Jazz Bar. But beyond its intimate confines, the genre remains a rarity –– seldom encountered amid the city’s many musical offerings. In a thriving gig scene that’s seen its fair share of rock, pop-rock, post-punk, nu-metal, and even some funk, seldom musical acts showcase the intricate, improvisational nature of jazz, making its presence all the more precious when it does appear.

This makes Jose Miguel’s foray into the jazz world all the more refreshing. At a time when jazz seems confined to niche audiences and genre purists, his emergence as a young crooner championing the genre is a noteworthy addition to the Philippine musical landscape ––  as exemplified by the release of his debut album, ‘5 Star Overthinker‘. So as he embarks on his album tour across Metro Manila, it serves as his way of bringing the lush, big-band sounds of jazz across a variety of popular gig venues across the metro –– showcasing his dedication to reviving and reimagining the genre for contemporary audiences.

As we stopped by his show at the 12 Monkeys in Ortigas, we witnessed the spontaneity, the soul, and the sense of community that defines Miguel and his music, together with guest performances from celebrated local artists like Hey June, BLASTER, and rock veterans Sandwich.

The evening began with an electrifying performance by the young indie group Hey June. They set the tone with a killer cover of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” captivating the crowd from the get-go. Their set also featured stellar renditions of their hit single “Panahon” and “ORASAN,” one of the standout tracks from their latest album, ‘Curiosity Killed the Cat.’ 

Following Hey June, BLASTER and his amazing band took the stage, delivering a series of hits from his 2022 album ‘MY COSMIK ISLAND DISK.’ Highlights included a transportive rendition of “DISKO FOREVER” and the fan-favorite “O KAY GANDA,” with BLASTER surprising the audience with an unreleased track titled “Hari Ng Kapalpakan.”

When Jose Miguel finally took the stage, the atmosphere inside 12 Monkeys transformed. The presence of instruments such as the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and clarinet – alongside the more familiar keyboards, drums, and guitar – signaled a shift in sonic ambiance. Miguel opened his set with a catchy rendition of “Latest Flame,” immediately drawing the audience into his jazz-infused world. 

He then followed it up with “Real,” offering a slowed-down, jazzier take compared to its R&B-tinged studio version. This was followed by performances of “So New,” the bossa-nova-flavored “So It Goes,” and the soul-stirring “Yesterday With You,” showcasing his impressive on-stage chemistry with his band.

One of the night’s standout moments came during Miguel’s performance of the latter, where his stage presence and emotional delivery captivated the audience, especially with the final note of the track. As he moved into the title track of his album, “5 Star Overthinker,” the crowd was fully engaged, hanging on to every note as he boasted his powerful bass vocals that carried much more weight than their recorded counterparts. 

By the time he closed his set with “Free,” he performed a stellar outro with his band –– leaving the entire audience in awe as several attendees got up from their seats to stand and cheer.. Expressing his gratitude, Miguel made way for rock icons Sandwich, who capped off the night with their energetic string of rocking hits like “Sugod,” “Betamax,” and their latest single, “Morena.”

From what we’ve seen from his live performance, Jose Miguel is breathing new life into jazz for Filipino audiences, especially the younger generations. Through his original compositions and captivating performances, he offers a fresh take on a classic genre, making it more accessible and exciting for today’s listeners all across various avenues where you’d never expect to find it. His dedication to jazz promises a bright future, not just for his career ––  but for the genre’s presence in the local music scene. As he continues to evolve and share his music, there’s hope that Filipino audiences will rediscover or develop a renewed interest in jazz with thanks to his contributions.

Whatever show or performance of Jose Miguel has up next –– it’s definitely worth catching if you find yourself the least bit curious. His shows are a testament to his talent and passion for jazz, demonstrating his ability to blend traditional jazz elements with contemporary sounds makes his music both nostalgic and innovative. As he forges ahead, we can expect even greater things from this young crooner whose commitment to the genre is sure to inspire and entertain for years to come.

Listen to Jose Miguel’s debut album 5 Star Overthinker below: