“Jack Jones makes me swoon,” says KT Sullivan, cabaret singer, artistic director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation, and Jones fan since she first heard his recordings and saw him on television musicals and late-night talk shows.
“The first time I saw him in person was at the Algonquin in New York on his opening night — the night after I closed my engagement there. When I saw his tall, lean body, shock of white hair, and heard his amazing vocal control, that’s when I started swooning. I came back night after night. No one today touches your heart when they sing the way Jack does.”
Jones rose to fame with his Grammy-winning Best Pop Male Vocal performance for “Lollipops and Roses” (1962), followed by his Grammy-winning “Wives and Lovers” (1963). Then came mega single hits, including “Lady,” “Call Me Irresponsible,” and “What I Did For Love” — plus theme songs for Love Boat and Love With a Proper Stranger, 50 albums (17 of which made the Billboard Top 20). Grammy nominations include the 1998 album Jack Jones Paints a Tribute to Tony Bennett.
Jones loves doing impressions. “I remember once when we were living in Palm Springs, I changed my voice and the message on my parents’ answering machine: ‘There is no one here. Just the robbers, and we are too busy to take your message,’ the machine said. My mother thought she was being robbed and called the police.” Even now, a Walter Cronkite sound-alike is apt to ask a Jones caller to leave a message.
He recently made appeared as himself in David O. Russell’s film, American Hustle, with Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale, and Jeremy Bale. He looks forward to going to Nashville early next year to record a country album.
Last night, the crowd at the KIA Theatre (formerly New Frontier Theater) was on a sing-along mode watching Jones perform his classic hits that even up until this day continue to haunt listeners on the radio.
Tonight, he’s going to make his audience at the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Manila, Araneta Center swoon once more and make them feeling longing for love. The show starts at 8.p.m. for his second performance and, also, his last show this year.
Produced by ManCo Productions, Inc. and Royale Chimes Concerts and Events, Inc., the show is entitled Jack Jones Sings Songs From The Heart and Jones is glad he’s in the country his heart is very close to during this holiday season.
“It is always a pleasure performing to the Filipino audience because of their love for music. There are a lot of great singers as well so it’s like one sing-along party whenever I’m on stage trying to listen to them. I’m looking forward to this show because this is the first time I will be spending Christmas season, and almost New Year, in the Philippines. I heard that Filipinos are one of the best in celebrating this time of the year,” says the great singer.
And yes, Jack performs his signature songs plus well-loved covers and tracks from his recently released CD called Seriously Frank, an album that pays tribute to Frank Sinatra and celebrates his 100th birth anniversary.
Adding excitement to the show is special guest Jose Mari Chan. When Jack learned that his friend Jose Mari would be appearing in the show, he immediately called him and both agreed to do a very special production number.
Another guest is Asia’s Got Talent second-runner up Gerphil Flores. For those who were not able to watch her in the said talent show, Gerphil’s most applauded performance is her rendition of the Jack Jones classic “The Impossible Dream.”
Jack’s disarming smile, effortlessly engaging wit and vocal style stands alone, making him one of the greatest singers of all-time. Jack Jones is the very definition of a complete and total entertainer. The New York Times raves, “he is arguably the most technically accomplished male pop singer.” Frank Sinatra even once said, “Jack Jones is one of the major singers of our time.”
With over 50 recorded albums (17 of them charting Billboard’s Top 20) and consistently sold-out world tours, Jack Jones continues to charm audiences with his wit, sensitivity and vocal power.
“Bring the whole family to the show. We’ll make this an unforgettable Yuletide celebration. Let’s all have a great time,” the Total Entertainer says.
Part of the proceeds of the show will be donated to Kaagapay ng Tagaligtas, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated primarily to raising funds and organizing programs for the benefit of the orphans and dependents of the Forty-Four (44) Special Action Force personnel (SAF 44) who were killed in action during anti-terrorist operations conducted in Tukalinapao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao early this year.
Tickets to Jack Jones Sings Songs From The Heart are available at the Ticketnet box office and online. For sspecial ticket discounts and block buyers, call (0918) 4972121 or (0906) 4180786 and look for Murphy.