Jose Mari Chan: Icon of inspiration

Did you know that “Christmas In Our Hearts” didn’t get an instant nod from Jose Mari Chan’s former record producer?

The phenomenal Christmas song that became a huge hit from the time it was released in November 1990 did not even become the album’s carrier single.

“When the album was released, my producer the late Bella Tan, said ‘Joe, this sounds like a Christian song, baka hindi ‘to tugtugin ng radio.’ I said, ‘No, the message is very Christmas,’ ‘Why don’t you write something romantic?’ That’s when I wrote a ‘Perfect Christmas.’ But in the end it was ‘Christmas in our Hearts’ that became very successful,” Jose Mari said.

So successful was the album indeed that it became the undisputed number one best-seller in Philippine recording history, receiving a rare Diamond Record award from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) – a triumph he credits to divine intervention.

“I remember driving to Pampanga and I was looking at the terrain, and I wrote the particular verse ‘Let love like that star light on that first Christmas morn, lead us back to the manger where Christ the child was born.’ It’s like a light bulb that turned on in my head. Sometimes I credit the Holy Spirit for giving me those insights, and sometimes they say that there’s a muse, the muse that whispers the melody to you. So when we completed the song ‘Christmas In Our Hearts, I was so thrilled and proud of it,” Jose Mari said.

On writing songs

Having his songs recognized not just in the Philippines but all over the world makes Jose Mari feel like a proud parent over and over again.

“Each song of mine and for that matter each album of mine, is like a child of mine. I've said this in the past: each child is special, as each song is special, each song is unique. When a song becomes a hit it’s like having a child that becomes successful,” he revealed.

And on that note, the multi-awarded singer-songwriter would rather keep his ideas flowing naturally.

“I have never been pressured to come up with the next album. So in my 44 years of career, I've only had 13 or 14 albums. I think you should not pressure an artist whether he's a painter or a photographer or a songwriter. He should never be pressured because what comes out may not be from the heart,” he added.

His masterpieces have constantly been revived by various artists, a fact Jose Mari welcomes.

“In general show business is fleeting and I've been in recording now for 44 years, and there's always a limit for everything. So having my songs revived and recorded by younger artists is quite welcome because it’s a way of introducing my songs to a younger generation. That's another way of perpetuating the music. In the past I've always been approached by artists asking permission to cover my songs and so my heart is an open door.”

However, Jose Mari still believes that writing original songs is important and a must in the ailing local music industry.

“To all the songwriters, I’d like them to bring back the melody. Because we’re so influenced by Western music, and it just so happens now that the western music that come to our shores is devoid of melody. So I would like the Filipino songwriter to bring that back. Never mind what Lady Gaga is doing, let’s write our own. And that melody is essential to make a song a classic because without that melody it’s just rhythm. It’s like drinking soft drink, it’s just good for the moment. Then after that you hunger again.”

Never giving up on music

Despite his success, Jose Mari has no plans of retiring even after his fruitful 44 years recording career.

“I can retire from the business but I can never retire from my hobby. Music is my hobby, my passion, For as long as there will be people like you who will come to my concert and to watch us sing, for as long as my voice can carry the songs that I like, I will be there.”

On December 2 at the PICC Plenary Hall, Jose Mari will be performing with Richard Poon for a concert aptly titled “The Songwriter and The Crooner.”

Jose Mari can only say good words about Richard. The collaboration took four years in the making; a project Jose Mari describes as “long overdue.”

“Richard Poon is one of the finest singers today, and the only one that sings with the big band. I grew up listening to big band music. So I'm excited to be part of this concert,” Jose Mari said.

Proceeds from “The Songwriter and The Crooner” will go to AGAPP (Aklat Gabay tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) headed by Presidential sister Pinky Abellada and SPED Children of Bulacan.

Dream projects

Jose Mari plans to stage a musical sometime in the future.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for the longest time. I have the melodies, but I need a librettist to write the words, and to come up with the story. And then maybe I’d like a big star in the United States and Europe to sing my song,” he said

As local artists continue to do covers of American pop songs, Jose Mari was the first Filipino artist to have his work covered by American singers. Early this year, Janis Siegel of the famed vocal group The Manhattan Transfer produced a 12-track album called “The Manhattan Connection: The Songs of Jose Mari Chan,” featuring up and coming American singers performing his songs.

“This ‘Manhattan Connection’ is a little bit of an entry because ‘Manhattan Connection’ was produced by a founding member of the Manhattan Transfer, Janis Siegel and she handpicked the songs that she wanted to produce. It was arranged by Yaron Gershovsky and performed by some of the finest artists in New York,” he said.

He also revealed that in 2012, he has two projects lined up. He’ll be releasing the “Golden Collection” volume 2 and finally, a brand new Christmas album.

“Christmas in Our Hearts” will always be a gift from God. And so I'm hoping that the new Christmas album next year will be loved, appreciated by my audience as well.”