Marvin Velasquez, rising bossa nova act
Rising singing act Marvin Velasquez, who years before had his TV exposures in contests like Star Quest and Star
In A Million, has quickly gained ground as a bossa nova act, having recently wowed crowds in London and collaborating with London-based Side Projects Productions for his first digital recording releases.
The Nueva Ecija native, now in Manila, already has three songs released in digital format under his name. His powerful, relaxed voice is behind the songs Tabing Dagat, Kay Bathalang Mahal and Mambo, Samba, Cha-cha, all written and arranged by London-based Erasmo Mallillin and his brother Jun whose brilliant track record included scoring hits for the Boyfriends.
“Hopefully, I am giving justice to the genre popularized here by the likes of Sitti and other bossa nova singers,” he said in all humility as some quarters are already dubbing him “Bossa Nova Prince” for his ability to surprise and delight audiences with his unassuming stage persona.
Marvin is up on the bill for Musikahan Noon At Ngayon Concierto scheduled on Dec. 8 at the Music Museum in San Juan City. The concert will feature The Boyfriends, Male Rigor of VST&Co. fame, YouTube sensation Zendee and The Voice Kids Season 2 champ Elha Nympha.
He is also set to host and perform at The Pinoy Rock Legends
Rock & Roll Christmas slated at Teatrino in Promenade, Greenhills on Dec. 13, 8 p.m. The show will banner Pinoy rock gods Gary Perez, Resty Fabunan of Maria Cafra and Jun Mallillin of Abrakadabra who’s behind the now-classic Bote’t Dyaryo.
Marvin will also fly to perform in Hong Kong and Macau for the Christmas stretch of Dec. 17 to 27.
The Filipino community abroad finds Marvin likably surprising, often watching him with initial skepticism that transforms into admiration. By invitation, he has already performed in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, India and London — his biggest-to-date after he went to various venues in the famous Europeans city in a memorable four-day stretch last September. The special gig abroad, produced by London companies Side Projects Prod (managed by music expert Port Mallillin) and Simply C, saw him perform alongside The Boy-
friends known for classics like
Sumayaw, Sumunod and Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal.
A loving father who loves traveling to entertain, Marvin happily performed at the grand opening of Erasmos Foodnook in Marcos Highway last June. At the same venue last Nov. 3, he led a strong list of indie acts for the show billed Haze of Journey to Music.
“I wish to make people happy through my little gift of singing. I went through a lot of hardships and I want to inspire other people by performing songs and sharing my story,” Marvin said.
The son of Talugtog, Nueva Ecija started singing at seven years old and became a champ at the National Amateur Music Youth Association (NAMCYA) in 1989. He grew up loaded with sad, poignant stories to tell behind his winsome smile. For a glimpse, he lost a couple of loved ones on his way to establishing his act.
At 14, he won grand prize at Awit Ng Tanghalan while just last year, he paid homage to his hometown in a couple of concerts with ’70s star Eva Vivar.
Marvin is set to record his upcoming single Lovestruck in
London Square and work with premier songwriter Jimmy Borja and American act John Howard.