Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

‘A major jazz singer who can sing any type of music with credibility, creativity, heartfelt emotions and wit.’’---Scott Yanow (LA Jazz Scene)

‘’ He is ‘all heart’...brilliant, simply brilliant!’’---Bubba Jackson (KJazz 88.1)

Thus is how the music critics described musician, songwriter and world-class Filipino jazz singer, Mon David. Launching his CD in the US at a concert with the same title, Coming True, David wowed his audience last Oct 4, at the Catalina Jazz Bar and Grill in Hollywood, LA. With his brilliant, husky tenor voice, Mon showed the audience why he was the runaway winner of the 2006 London International Jazz Competition, beating hundreds of participants from around the world.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Mon David served as the featured drummer for one of the country’s major pop icons for seven years until he decided to pursue a solo singing career a while ago. After his winning performance at the London International Jazz Competition for Vocalists, Mon David came home to the Philippines as a ‘local jazz hero’. Dubbed as a ‘master jazz exponent’, Mon David also won two Awit Awards (Best Vocal Arrangement and Best Jazz Recording for his original Let Go) and headlined the Philippine-American Jazz Festival.

David has released three albums previous to Coming True and is excited about the new release and its potential to increase his visibility as a jazz artist who touches the world with his music. His earlier album entitled, My One and Only Love includes songs he had rendered at the London Jazz Competition including Skylark, Waltz for Debby and its title track. The album also included 6 originals including Abe Mu Ku, Nasayo, I Listen To You, Soulitude, Gary Granada’s I Had A Dream and 2006 Awit Awards Best Jazz Recording Let Go.

"I’ve always felt that the listeners are more daring now and prepared to listen to jazz music. They are more open and appreciative to the improvisational aspect of jazz. I personally feel there is a certain degree of responsibility as an artist to share the thing that I love doing most - the thing that gives me pure joy and fulfillment," said Mon in an earlier interview.

Mon’s Sunday night concert featured Tateng Katindig on the piano, Dominic Thiroux on bass, and Abe Lagrimas Jr on drums. Another great Filipina singer, Charmaine Clamor, was a special guest.

Produced by FreeHam Records, Coming True is a highly recommended album with a rich mix of vibrant and swinging songs to a host of jazz standards. The track includes Footprints, Invitation, Throw It Away, Only Once, Some Other Time, There Is No Greater Love, Moonlight Suite: Moonlight and Moonlight Serenade, No More Blues, Kailangan ‘Yan, and Never Let Me Go.

What is unique about Mon David is how he is able to bring a distinct Filipino sensibility to traditional jazz standards. He performs a memorable version of Thelonious Monk’s Well You Needn’t with his own Filipino lyrics, redubbed Kailangan ‘Yan.

David’s style is dubbed as "Jazzipino" which gives it a distinctive sound.