FOR most hopeless romantics, music is the wine that fills the cup of silence… serving as therapeutic solvent that liquefies perplexities and purifies hatred. Still according to the prolific German poet Heinrich Heine: “Where words leave off, music begins!”
True enough, being the universal language, music in itself is an explosive expression of humanity that could bring people together. That was exactly what motivated and inspired Joji Babuschak of JB Entertainment Productions to produce the show and collaborate with Vince Gesmundo (VYNZ-NY Entertainment) then come up with a musical merger of promising artists with diverse style and genre to front act for the versatile singer/host/comedian Geo Ed Rebucas in his Toms River, New Jersey post Christmas concert at the Clarion Hotel (along 815 Route 37 West) last Saturday, December 27, 2004.
Since Geo has consistently established his name, via his limitless vocal divergence, with a wide spectrum of vocal range, and an electrifying stage presence which he alternately integrates with witty funny (oftentimes, naughty) antics, a strong line-up of notably promising singers was indeed essential as curtain raisers or else the collaboration would be incongruous.
And as if to prove the producers’ picks were just perfect, the first part of the dinner-show easily confirmed that they made faultless choices…talents that didn’t overlap the main headliner but justifiably complemented him instead. Four equally talented recording aspirants effectually opened the show with at least two numbers each that unmistakably provided evidence of their worth and promise as singers.
After a sumptuous dinner of chicken marsala and pork loin steak served with tossed green salad, the lights went dim and the stage was left bathed with dancing multi-colored beams which we thought was merely an introductory production effect but sadly, it was a permanent fixture. These moving lights, instead of a spotlight, only obscured the performer’s face and needlessly became a distractively visual annoyance. The superb audio system gave the artists’ rendition excellently amplified voice that eventually saved the show.
Petite seventeen year-old Arianney Marey Dacumos (born August 13, 1997) impressively cleared the atmosphere with her powerful full head voice and almost perfect diction. With an effectively smooth chest voice that bridged through a resonating head voice with innate clarity, effervescent-looking Arianney Marey could undoubtedly be one of Toms River’s musical prides. This Donovan Catholic High School senior and only daughter of Arthur and Nancy Escobar Dacumos dreams to take up either Nursing, like her parents, or Music Therapy in college but either way Arianney has a great future waiting for her.
The second performer, Justine Basa, mounted the stage with full confidence as she emotionally dished out Blue Velvet, a Bobby Vinton original, in a slow jazzy beat adapted from Lana Del Rey’s version which she subsequently followed with Adore You, a Miley Cyrus number that effortlessly gave away her true vocal capability. Taking voice lessons in NYC’s Performers Career Center and art at the Grand Central Academy of Arts in Long Island, Queens, NY, this tall (5’5”), barely 19 (born July 30, 1995), and statuesque bundle of feminine pulchritude could land a modeling job in the event that she abandons her singing career or she could juggle between both should she wishes. Her proud parents, Mel and Elaine Vallar Basa, have certainly a gem of a talent in their family.
Another budding talent from Donovan Catholic High School, Kathleen Gallardo came up next with a different genre that was more of Broadway-ish. Her looks and stature (sort of coy and demure) could be deceiving but every bit of doubt and misjudgment instantly vanished when she belted out her number with such fullness of voice and lilting in range. Wonder not since this potential chanteuse of 18 autumns (born November 6, 1996) and daughter of Mario and Rose Ramos Gallardo started singing when she was barely 7 in the school production of The King & I. Since then, Kathleen was consistently cast in almost every play. This young stage diva is being torn between two courses, Psychology and Arts Administration, when she enters college.
Chin Gomez, the next performer, was no stranger in the entertainment arena having had performed as a vocalist with various bands both in Manila and in New York. Chin initially took voice lessons with the master of voice and music, Ryan Cayabyab, and the Center for Pop Music Philippines. She first landed on stage as a host and karaoke singer at Perlas Restaurant in Queens when she came to the US. From there, her wings spun wide as her contacts became apparently extensive.. Somewhere along the way, her path serendipitously crossed Vince Gesmundo’s, and from there the latter became her producer and manager. Chin’s back to back numbers, as expected, were received with thundering applause.
The second top biller of the night actually needed no further introduction since he was not only a well-loved luminary in Toms River but its reputably gigantic pride. Impressive with unlimited vocal range, Jared Martin Babuschak, or simply Jared Martin, possesses a voice type that is the typical embodiment of a tenor with distinct timbre, weight, and a prevailing range of voice that allows him to render varied musical genre effortlessly. His first number, All of Me, a John Legend original, was rendered in such intensely melodious cadence that was pleasant to hear with such feeling of relief. His own vocal interpretation of Bring Him Home, a cut from Les Miserables, all the more gave him a much deserved accolade for effortlessly rendering the Claude-Michel Schonberg composition as if his very own.
Chin Gomez remounted on stage and rendered a duet with Jared. Together the two breathed life anew to Jose Mari Chan’s 1989 top hit maker Be Careful With My Heart where the prolific singer-songwriter/composer recorded it with Regine Velasquez.
Then came the much awaited part of the show…the grand performance of the main featured artist, Geo Ed Rebucas, who catapulted to such level of stardom after being a finalist in Pilipinas Got Talent where he was initially dubbed as Mariah Carey’s Philippine male counterpart.
After his “explosive” opening number Geo instantly segued to lacing his act with his own brand of comedy…the usual comedy bar flow of familiar situations relentlessly laced with comic lingo and censorable (sexual and morally corruptible) innuendoes… but that actually was the secret to effectively rib-tickle the crowd. Pandemonium broke loose each time Geo delivered his punchlines and got the same crowd reaction following his every splendid performance.
His highly energetic renditions of Sia’s Chandelier, Sharon Cuneta’s Ikaw, and a couple of Aegis songs received thunderous applause especially when he hits ceiling-high notes with such ease and confidence.
Geo’s soprano voice and Jared’s tenor voice were just ideal to render The Prayer which was the best (if not one of the best) vocal twosome interpretation of the popular Andrea Bocelli-Celine Dion vocal collaboration. The aural consistency was superbly blended while the widening range was astoundingly harmonized. “They should do a recording of this song…it will surely click!” I overheard a society matron from behind commented graciously of the duo’s rendition. But personally, this part alone of the show was worth the trip!
Geo’s second set generously provided the crowd the opportunity to get on their feet and cut the rug to the beat of his disco repertoire. In an instant all tables were vacated when everybody was enticed by the bouncy beats and contagious sounds. The spacious dance floor turned cramped to accommodate the disco-crazed crowd.
Geo innately possesses a unique style of singing far different from any male entertainers…having been gifted with a powerful voice timbre, crystal-breaking high octave pitch, flawless diction, and lengthy breathing technique which he could faultlessly deliver with engaging precision coupled with calibrated exactitude.
What gives Geo the great edge over his contemporaries is his capability to simultaneously sing using his head voice and fake it through utilizing a female vocal tone through falsetto. The soft spoken Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur native candidly admits that he inherited his singing prowess from his parents who were both acoustic singers.
The 5’6,” twenty four-year-old Nursing graduate set aside his future in the medical field in lieu of his passion to sing and entertain by way of atypical female vocal impersonation. Constant practice and hard driven motivation led to perfecting the variability of every piece of music that he wanted to include in his already packed repertoire. His continuous exposure in comedy bars and invitational events gradually gave him the opportunity to astoundingly develop his own laryngeal technique in achieving the mastery of the art of falsetto. Now, his exceptionally well-received singing style becomes a second nature that’s effortlessly delivered.
Geo Live in Toms River was made possible with the munificent sponsorship of Jersey Shore Medical & Pediatric Associates, TFC (Don Tagala & Jun Torres), Daniel Shommer & Maria Jalbuena, FG Xpress, Mary Rose Gallardo (Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Pediatric Care), and Mario Gallardo of Whiting Medical Associates.
Following his successful Toms River concert is another exciting gig slated on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 9 PM at Payag Restaurant along 5134 Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, NY. Ably dubbed GEO and Friends the event becomes a well-deserved opening salvo for the New Year for the hard-working Pinoy Mariah Carey.
Performing together with Geo on Payag stage are Jared Martin, Arianney Marey, Angel Ram, and birthday girl Chin Gomez. Geo and his equally talented friends entertain you as they welcome the New Year with a bang!
For tickets and reservation, pls. call Vince Gesmundo @ 1-347-705-2967 or Joji Babuschak @ 1-908-783-2680
For comments and suggestions, please email: [email protected] or [email protected].
