News: Articles+Reviews
March 01, 2010
"The Jazzipino Queen on Music and the Motherland" from Stephanie Castillo with Female Network
Charmaine Clamor isn’t afraid to speak her mind—or sing it. Lauded by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the most important and original jazz singers of the decade,” the Subic-born songstress made waves with her satirical ballad, “My Funny Brown Pinay.” Using the melody of jazz standard “My Funny Valentine,” the song praises the looks of the average morena in an ode to true Filipina beauty. “Look at my skin—it’s brown / Look at my nose—it’s flat,” Charmaine purrs on the track, flaunting her Pinay assets with pride, even pleasure.
In a nation where fair skin, pointy noses, and straight hair are the prejudiced but prevalent ideal, Charmaine’s candor about her physical appearance is inspiring. It seems that growing up Stateside—and having two consecutive albums in the Jazzweek World Music Top 10—has left her with no airs and graces about who she is or where she came from. In fact, it is her unfailing loyalty to the Philippines and Filipinos that has brought this domestic diva so much success in her career—even spawning the hybrid Fil-Am jazz genre she coined “Jazzipino.”
In the following interview, Charmaine gives FN her views on fame, Filipino mentalities, and the future of jazz, ultimately leaving us with a simple message: be bold, be brown, be beautiful—and be grateful for your heritage. Read on!
Read Full ArticleFebruary 14, 2010
"The Only Filipino in All-Star Soundtrack of Imelda Musical" from Ruben Nepales with Philippine Daily Inquirer
LOS ANGELES—Charmaine Clamor, America’s leading Pinay jazz vocalist, joins Cyndi Lauper, Natalie Merchant, Tori Amos and other singers in David Byrne’s “Here Lies Love,” a musical dramatization of Imelda Marcos’ life.
Charmaine is the only Filipino artist in the double-CD project of David, who was inducted, as part of the Talking Heads, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. David has won Grammy and Academy awards for his music.
Charmaine, acclaimed “jazzipino” exponent, sings the track “Walk Like A Woman” in David’s collaboration with Fatboy Slim (British DJ and recording artist) on the former First Lady.
January 12, 2010
"Self Affirmations, Surprises Highlight Asian American Jazz Festival" from Kirk Silsbee with Downbeat
Charmaine Clamore [sic], another passionate Filipina, took on Jon Hendricks' lpics to Horace Silver's swinging "Doodlin"' as well as the Lenny Welch version of Buddy Johnson's heartpounding "Since I Fell For You." She's an exuberant performer, never more so than on her Tagalog words of 'Jazz-a-pino" matings. 'My Funny Brown Valentine" [sic] was an added bit of ethnic affirmation.Read Full Article
December 20, 2009
"From One Generation to Another, Filipino Jazz Torch is Passed" from Dennis Clemente with Philippines Inquirer LifeStyle
Clamor, the most anticipated performer of the night, strutted onstage with the fanfare accorded a hometown girl. Although based in Los Angeles, she has performed in New York, most notably at Iridium, a top jazz haunt that was second home to the late original guitar hero Les Paul. And unlike her other singing compatriots, Clamor started her career in the States.
Clamor represents a new generation of the Pinoy jazz artist. She marries both new and old Filipino song traditions and musical instruments with her own expressive style, which she inflects with some mild social commentary to keep things interesting and on edge. She exudes great showmanship. Her exposure to the “Vagina Monologues” Filipino adaptation in August 2008 has certainly been put to good use.
The showmanship shines through. As a jazz vocalist, she can swagger one minute and be sublime the next. A favorite in her sets was her interpolation of “My Funny Valentine.” In Filipino, she changed the lyrics and sang it as “My Funny Brown Pinay” with patriotic gusto. The song is in her most recent album “Flippin’ Out.”
Switching mood, she gave a soulful interpretation of “Dahil Sa ’Yo” (“Because of You”) that even the non-Filipino audience, not understanding the lyrics, was moved.
Clamor is strongly attached to her Filipino musical roots, even if she has been in the US since she was 16. This conviction was evident in her tribute to kundiman, a traditional serenade that became an art form in late 19th-century Philippines. She pays tribute to this Filipino art form in her album “My Harana” (My Serenade).
Founding member
Clamor might as well be the Kuh Ledesma of her generation in the manner she chooses material, honors musical traditions and supports other artists. As one of the founding members of the Fil-Am Jazz Festival, Clamor is serious about her support of other Filipino jazz artists whom she thinks deserve just as much fame and recognition.
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