|
For the past 21 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
|
|
This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
|
|
|
|
To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE Record- HOLD THE SUN
“Hold the Sun” is NYC songwriter/singer Cassandra Kubinski’s full-length follow up to the acclaimed 2005 EP “hiding underneath.” The more organic pop/rock/jazz sound of “Hold the Sun” shows an evolution and maturation from the pop sound of “hiding,” but keeps the sassy and intelligent lyrics, sparkling piano playing, and crystal voice Kubinski has become known for.
Evoking at times Tori Amos, Norah Jones, Natalie Maines, and Carole King, the collection of songs on “Hold the Sun” reflects a writer coming of age; it deals with ambition for the future, reflections rooted in the past, and of course, love.
In her own words: “I wanted this record to be more honest and spontaneous than “hiding underneath” was, and to reflect my rock influences more. After touring for 2 years behind “hiding” and working with so many other writers and artists, I wanted to capture performances that were more “live” sounding, both from my musicians and myself.”
The result is an album of nuanced vocal performances, ranging from the fire and rough passion of “Ride Alone” and “Racecar” to the bittersweet regret of “Echoes” and “Hardly Is A Love Song” to the naked, grateful romance of “Cradle the Moon.”
“My biggest influence as a writer is probably Billy Joel…the range of emotions he covers on each album, the honesty and immediacy of his lyrics, and his sense
of humor.”
The independently funded and released album is co-produced by Cassandra and Doug Bull.
The Songwriter
Kubinski has spent the last few years playing NYC (Cutting Room, Living Room, Bitter End, Knitting Factory, Rockwood Music Hall), the Northeast, and as far as Germany.
Along the way, she’s kicked off a reputation as an award-winning, creative, ambitious songstress, garnering accolades from the Billboard World Song Contest (3rd place Pop winner for “Wherever You Wait”), Positive Pop (digital distro winner for “Cradle the Moon”), and major industry organizations (showcases for Songwriters Hall of Fame, Songwriters Guild of America, BMI, Songwriter’s Circle).
She’s also the winner of the prestigious 2006 Abe Olman award, given to the year’s most promising songwriters from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the 2007 Anna Sosenko Assist Trust grant.
On tour, Kubinski has been seen opening for Anna Nalick, the October Project, and Ingram Hill, among others.
You can find her music distributed through her website, www.CKubinski.com, as well as on iTunes and on terrestrial and internet radio stations (WFUV, Harris Radio, etc.) and podcasts worldwide.
She tours with her guitarist, James Adamo, and often plays with a rotating cast of well known musicians in NYC. Her latest project is contributing songs and appearing as Sam in “Clear Blue Tuesday,” the rock movie/musical slated for Festival release in Winter 2008.
The Back Story
Cassandra Kubinski began her performing career in Enfield, CT, where she was raised. She squeaked out “Somewhere Out There” at the ripe age of 3, and there was no shutting her up after that. At 13, she began her professional performing career, playing “Annie” in the 20th anniversary revival of the show at its birthplace, the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT.
Other leading theatre roles followed, as well as film and TV performances with Michael J. Fox in “Spin City,” and Anna Paquin and Sean Connery in the film “Finding Forrester.”
She is a graduate of Florida State University and continues to act in New York theatre and film productions, including roles at Lincoln Center and off- Broadway.
On May 17 and 18, 2008, you will hear the songwriter/ performer at the Phil-US Expo ’08 at the New Jersey National Guard Armory at 678 Montgomery St. and Summit Ave. in Jersey City. For more info please call 201.332.4973 and 973.239.2539 or visit www.philus-expo.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK –Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, David showed signs of “things to come” by conducting to his parent’s records on the playroom table and putting on shows for neighbors in the backyard. His first experiences singing in public were performing duets with his father in Synagogue. Before long, David learned to play the piano, taught himself to play guitar and drums and, by age 14, began writing his first songs.
His teen years were spent playing in rock bands (with a stint in a Cincinnati band which what was to become Pure Prairie League) until at the tender age of 19, he got his first professional break when Decca Records signed him to a multi-album solo contract. David Pomeranz’ songs and recordings have sold over 40 million copies worldwide and his concert performances have delighted and inspired millions.
Described by Billboard Magazine as “...one of the finer voices of our time”, David has recorded eight highly acclaimed solo albums. His 1999 release, “Born For You – His Best And More” (MCA/ Universal), a collection of his love songs, past and present, was recorded in Manila and, to date, has sold over 500,000 albums in the Philippines alone - making it the biggest selling album in the history of that country (the title song, “Born For You” was awarded by Filscap as the “Most Performed Foreign Song Of 1999.)
The album includes a stunning duet version of David’s classic, “If You Walked Away” with mega-star, Sharon Cuneta and contains new recordings of David’s hits, “King And Queen Of Hearts””, “Got To Believe In Magic” (both from the motion picture, “Zapped”), “Tryin’ To Get The Feeling Again”; and “The Old Songs”.
His follow up effort, “The Eyes Of Christmas”, released in Christmas of 2000, inspired a three hour television special on GMA-7 for which David was host (“David Pomeranz – A Christmas Star” throughout the Philippines)
His most recent album release for Universal, “On This Day”, has produced no less than 4 mega-radio hits and has, likewise, become a top-selling favorite.
David’s other solo album efforts include his newest 2007 release, “Hold Tight” (Becca/ Universal), “New Blues” and “Time To Fly” (Decca/MCA); ”It’s In Every One Of Us” (Arista); “The Truth Of Us”” (Atlantic/Pacific - co-produced by David and legendary Paul Simon producer, Roy Halee) and his greatest hits collection, “The Best Of David Pomeranz” (Warner Bros.)
David’s songs have been recorded and/or performed by scores of artists including Bette Midler, Grover Washington Jr., Barry Manilow (whose renditions of David’s classic compositions “Tryin’ To Get The Feeling Again” and “The Old Songs” were both Number One hits), Richie Sambora (of Bon Jovi), Cliff Richard (who has recorded three of David’s songs including the Top 10 hit “I Still Believe In You”), Freddie Mercury, Kenny Loggins, Isaac Hayes, Dennis DeYoung (of Styx), Harry Belafonte, Phoebe Snow, Leo Sayer, Hubert Laws, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, The Carpenters, Andy Williams, Donna Summer, The Hollies, Eddie Kendricks (of the Temptations), Lea Salonga, John Denver, The Muppets, and Kathie Lee Gifford.
In 2002, Rapper, Missy Elliott, sampled David’s music for her hit single, “One Minute Man” which went to number three on the Billboard Charts. David songwriting projects have earned him 22 Platinum and 18 Gold records.
On May 17 and 18, 2008 at the New Jersey National Guard Armory in Jersey City, David Pomeranz will perform live. For more information please call 201.920.6936 / 973.239.2539 or visit www.philus-expo.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE Pinoy Musik Festival & Expo de Mayo will feature two hilarious comedians on May 17-18 at the Meadowlands
Expo Center, Secaucus, NJ. POCA aka Edward Raphael Jr. is best known as the premier impersonator of top singers in the Philippines. His soulful voice catapulted him to the peak of mainstream success.
The rapidity of his success in the concert circuit is attributed to his irresistible sex appeal on stage and his breathtaking and impressive vocal prowess. He is a regular talent of the Library, Sitcom, Punchline, Laffline, Klownz, Zirkoh,Ednas Ichiban Library.
REY KILAY aka Rey Anthony Francisco is a club legend who has been doing the musical stand-up act for many years. He is a mainstay of The Library, the most popular entertainment venue in Manila renowned for its rich blend of comedy and top performers.
Rey has performed in top entertainment venues in Manila such as The Library, Comic Lab Philippines, Punchline, Laffline, Klownz, Naughty Strings and Sitcom Live. Since 2004, he has been performing nightly at the Wedge in San Francisco and at Edna Ichiban Library in Westborough, South San Francisco. A hot commodity in the entertainment scene in Manila, now sizzles in the Bay Area and in every venue he appears in. With the versatile talent of funnyman-cum-singer Rey Kilay, one is guaranteed a good laugh and a night of great entertainment.
The event will be capped by a live concert featuring top performers Sam Milby, MYMP, Kris Lawrence, Divo
Bayer and Pork Chop Duo. Gen. Admission ($18) and limited VIP ($50) tickets are available at most Filipino stores and at: shop.specialeditionevents.com.
Sponsors of the show are MYX, Special Edition Press, ARYTY, Citibank, Mama Sita’s, Western Union, Philippine Fiesta, Moneygram, Tancingco Law Offices, Philippine Fiesta & Asian Journal Publications.
To exhibit, sponsor, advertise or to participate, please call (212) 682-6610 or email: sepmgzn@aol.com. For updated performers list, please visit www.pinoymusikfestival.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
