Night and Spencer Day: Jazz artist to perform in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Singer-songwriter-pianist Spencer Day performs here early in 2014, in what promises to be another vibrant musical year. One of the rising stars in today’s jazz scene worldwide, Day has become a dynamic exponent of this versatile art form through his music – following after the success of Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Buble, but with his own distinct musical identity.

The 35-year-old Day, who is already a much-awaited regular guest in American late-night television, will perform as special guest at “David Pack -The Voice of Ambrosia Concert” on January 31. The Manila performance also marks his musical debut here in Asia, where he has secured a steady following that includes Filipino fans, through the charisma, vitality, and diversity of his music.

Here’s a swinging number by Spencer Day, appearing in Craig Ferguson’s show: 

Day’s upcoming concert tour follows on the heels of “The Mystery of You,” his 4th album released in 2013 by the distinguished jazz label Concord Records.

This highly personal recording takes off from the confessional songwriting heritage of Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, who count among Day’s musical inspirations. But “Mystery” is also notable for its seamless mix of his varied influences – from the smoky standards and torch songs, to Latin jazz, to touches of surf guitar as well as referencing the eclectic genres of global music.

“It’s been one of the hardest things I’ve ever dealt with in my adult life,” Day said in an interview about a star-crossed relationship that inspired the music in “Mystery.” 

“But it’s also been a huge opportunity for growth. Each of these songs represents a different phase in that growth process. Along the way, I really started trying to understand my own psychology.”

Here’s a clip featuring an interview with Day and music from ‘The Mystery of You’:

Introspection and serenity are qualities that Day tries to impart to his music. He said he remains guided by such life experiences as his troubled childhood, the thrills and trials of love, and the long, hard road in his development as a self-taught musician.

Performing in obscure piano bars and retirement homes early in his career, Day has since moved on to prestigious festivals and venues such as Town Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and the Monterey and Tanglewood jazz festivals.

He regards all these experiences as essential to his artistic growth, nurtured along the way by his enchanted fascination for such distinct genres and artists as Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, the Beatles, and the MGM musicals, among others. These influences, in turn, inspired Day to be as prolific in his songwriting as he had been in his performances.

“I was probably 3 or 4 years into that when I realized that [performing only] wasn’t totally satisfying to me,” he said. “I realized that I needed to write as well. That’s when things got into high gear.”

Here’s Day’s performance of ‘The Movie of Your Life,’ the title track of his 2005 sophomore album and the winner of Best Original Song at the San Francisco Academy of Art University’s song competition that year:

– Rappler.com