Singers are born, not made!
The old cliché has been proven over and again and critics with that impeccable ear for music believe that the Philippines is a country where the world’s best musically inclined people are born. The nascence of the vocally gifted world-class artists in a country where music blends with smiles has not only brought home prestige and honors but made the Philippines a much bigger spot in the world map.
Another Fil-Am talent is on the rise to contribute his share and join the already long roster of award-winning Filipino performers. Remember his name: Jared Martin Babuschak or simply Jared Martin.
Impressive with unlimited vocal range, Jared possesses a voice type that is the typical embodiment of a tenor. He has one of the highest vocal ranges and that gives him an edge over his contemporaries. His voice has that distinct timbre, weight, and tessitura, the prevailing range of a vocal part which is regarded as the most comfortable spot for a singer, making him capable of rendering varied musical genre effortlessly.
Directly influenced by his grandmother who was a music teacher and theater director, Jared has tackled a wide variety of roles from non-speaking to lead parts as the young Prince Chulalongkorn in “The King and I,” as Sergeant Bobby in “The Pirates of Penzance,” as Perchik in “The Fiddler On The Roof,” as King Arthur in “Camelot,” as Sid Sorokin in “The Pajama Game,” as Monsieur D’Arque in “The Beauty and The Beast,” as John the Baptist in “Godspell,” as Horton, the Elephant in “Seussical,” as the Tin Man in “The Wizzard of Oz,” and as Ito in the Strand Theater’s production of “Mame.”
Though, born, raised, and schooled in the US, he is passionate in learning Tagalog songs by heart. Studying a new song in parrot fashion, his mom would teach him the proper pronunciation and interpretation of words until he grasps the meaning and fully comprehend its message. It’s amazing how flawlessly Jared could deliver and perform Tagalog ditties without the American twang especially when he renders his interpretation of Martin Nievera’s original recordings.
Being much in demand in local social events and parties, Jared isn’t only expected to prove his capacity as a tenor and entertain the crowd but also slowly establishing his name as a curtain raiser, singing both the national anthems of the Philippines and America.
His parents, Mark and Joji, siblings, friends and supporters who genuinely believe in his talent are his main source of motivation. They, in every step of the way, have kept him focused and driven. Jared, in his full capacity, makes all means not to fail them. He keeps on honing and perfecting his craft, burying his mind in full concentration, putting his heart and soul into the very core, and pushing his every effort to the limit.
After years of school, charity, fund raising, and mainstream performances, 2013 has been a productive year for Jared Martin. His remarkable talent didn’t pass unnoticed by a number of Filipino-American organizations who duly recognized his distinction in the field, particularly the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) which bestowed on him the title Excellence in Performing Arts (Solo / Tenor) during its 21st Founding Anniversary.
Powered with great agility to hit high notes and armed with an electrifying stage presence, the promising world-class tenor’s exceptionally rich vocal texture is coupled with a warmer quality and bright timber, and that given enough period of training and the right amount of exposure the moniker Jared Martin could, without any doubt, be at par with those being hailed as the world’s greatest tenors such as: Italians Enrico Caruso, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli; Spain’s Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo; Austrian Richard Tauber; and Americans Richard Tucker and Mario Lanza, just to name a few.
Possessing a fully resonant voice with appropriate, unambiguous, and distinctive range of dynamics, Jared’s velvety vocal sounds are the result of painstaking perseverance and determination. Every day, upon waking up, he practices his messa di voce (the crescendo and decrescendo) so as to maintain that level of vocal range. He also does regular exercises to strengthen his lung power, increase his vocal range, relax his diaphragm, and control his breathing.
Jared’s talent isn’t just limited to merely singing and performing for he could also organize and run a vocal ensemble and conduct an entire choir. He also finds re-arranging musical compositions as enjoyable as when he plays the trombone or beat his drums. This young tenor is also currently a peer tutor which only shows his remarkable advancement among his batch.
The hazy horizon of this century’s classical music could possibly turn bright with the shining of a quintessential exponent of this generation’s classical artist in the person of Jared Martin. It might be very premature to predict or too much of an expectation but the way things are turning to his favor, chances are, the realization could be much sooner than expected.
Already getting intrigued? Is the curiosity build-up killing you? Then go and watch Jared Martin’s up-coming concert, Mon Premier Cabaret, this coming Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center along 556 Fifth Avenue (between 45th and 46th Streets), New York, New York.
Listen to his pulsating voice as he renders a wide array of songs meticulously arranged and compacted into his diversely impressive repertoire. And judge for yourself if this is merely some kind of over-kill publicity hype or the glaring truth?
Mon Premier Cabaret, which also headlines another promising Broadway talent Jellyn Anne Echon and magician Apollo Riego, is brought to stage by Marisse Panlilio of Marisse Panlilio Entertainment (MPE) and 1803 with proceeds to benefit ABS-CBN Bantay Bata 163 and Malate Catholic School.
Meanwhile, jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger Justin Binek, Vocal Jazz Studies head at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he directs the UArts Jazz Singers and Vox pop a cappella ensemble, takes center stage in Mon Premier Cabaret as accompanist and Musical Director. It is also but fitting and proper to mention that Jared has been under the tutelage of Justin Binek and in the show, the two will fuse their talents in an excitingly well-conceptualized repertoire.
Incidentally, Jared Martin mounts the stage once again on Saturday, December 21 at 8:00 PM. This time at the Tropicana Casino & Resort along 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey when he joins the father and son tandem of Bert and Martin Nievera in a holiday presentation aptly billed “Nievera & Son,” a Christmas Celebration.
A rare treat to watch two generation singers on one stage, veteran balladeer Bert Nievera was regarded as the Philippine counterpart of Johnny Mathis while son Martin is the undisputed Philippine Concert King, “Nievera & Son” is presented by the Filipino-American Medical Society of Toms River, Inc. (FAMS) and the Filipino-American Community Development Center, Inc. (FCDC) with its proceeds aimed to benefit the building of a Filipino-American Community Development Center based from the architectural design by Jennifer Baart.
The much awaited concert also features Martin’s equally talented twin sister Vicki Nievera with Lorrie Ilustre and the Big Mouth Band, Martin’s official concert accompanist.
Make the holidays a memorable one. And if there’s only but one show worth-watching this Christmas season, that would be “Nievera & Son.” The show promises an entirely different repertoire plus a whole lot of exciting portions.
Tickets are pegged at $175, $150, $120, $90, $60, $50, and $40. For more details, information, and ticket reservations, please visit www.fcdcnj.org and www.famstrnj.org or call Joji Babuschak at 732.929.3909; Dr. Mario Gallardo at 732.664.8137; Marley Nicolas at 848.333.6518; Fred Mariano at 732.580.0857; Jun Torres at 732.979.4381; Marisse Panlilio at 908.906.9788; and DJ Filipino Events at 1.845.633.0980.
For comments and suggestions, please email: [email protected]
