MANILA, Philippines?From ?Autumn Leaves? to ?Hotel California.? This was how American pianist David Osborne described his repertoire for his first-ever Philippine concert Sunday at the Manila Hotel.
The concert comes at a time when Osborne is set to launch a new CD for the Southeast Asian market.
In a press conference held Friday at the Manila Hotel, Osborne said, ?Expect a nice combination of musical styles all the way from Coldplay to the Eagles to Andrew Lloyd Webber to jazz standards. We have a wonderful group of talents here ... There will be something for everybody.?
Osborne is a frequent performer at the White House. He has played for several US Presidents?Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. This prompted former US President Jimmy Carter to call him the ?Pianist to the Presidents.? Osborne is scheduled to perform again at the White House this December.
Noted bass player Dan De Morales, who has worked with Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach, will join Osborne onstage. The ?Keys to Your Heart? show features Filipino musicians John Lesaca, Pinky Marquez, Eddie Katindig, Joey Lina, boy soprano Kris Gonzales, classical-pop group Angelos and soprano Fame Flores.
The Angelos are expected to join Obsorne when he performs at President Carter?s birthday tribute this September. The four-member Filipino group just completed a successful tour of Hong Kong, Singapore and Texas.
Osborne has been a fixture at the Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas the past three years. Before moving to the Bellagio, he performed at Caesars Palace for 12 years. His music covers classical, jazz, pop, inspirational and Broadway show tunes.
Proceeds of the dinner-concert will go to the construction of the La Scala Santa Chapel in Monte Maria, Batangas. The chapel is a project of healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez, CC. A healing mass will be held two hours before the show.