Tria Bascon Wanderlust Album Launch

Tria Bascon and Moreno Donadel

Armed with years of experience entertaining audiences in various five star hotels and luxury cruise liners all over the world, Tria Bascon makes her presence felt in the local recording scene via her debut album entitled Wanderlust released by Universal Records. Feeling that the time was finally right, Tria delivers a jazz album boasting of 13 tracks personally picked by her that reflect her journey as an artist and ultimately take the listener to a musical trip around the world as well.

This album, produced by Moy Ortiz of the famed group The CompanY, also features  guest appearances by notable musicians in the field of jazz like Italian jazz/classical pianist Moreno Donadel, all around music man Mel Villena, bossa/latin group Aquarela, crooner Jose Mari Chan and the aforementioned The CompanY.

Tria Bascon with The CompanY

Tria recently had her album launch at the Hard Rock Café in Glorietta, Makati in which I was able to witness. I’ve written before about how young vocalists seem to be uncomfortable and nervous on stage, but Tria’s years of experience manifested itself during her seemingly effortless performance. Her poise, confidence, rapport with the audience and crystal clear voice ensured that the crowd that packed the venue did have all eyes and ears on her. There was nothing else for me to do but to relax and enjoy everything.

Her repertoire for that evening included songs from her album in which some were in a foreign language. This could’ve posed as a problem for non-speakers of the language but Tria was able to communicate well the song through the music. And when she got to sing Magkikita Pa Rin Naman Tayo (trans. We Will Still See Each Other), a song in Filipino written specifically for her by Moy Ortiz, she couldn’t help but get emotional owing to the message of the song about the sadness of departing while looking forward to the day of return. The evening also featured performances by The CompanY and Miguel and Evelyn Juteau of Aquarela. Moreno Donadel, who is now based in Beijing, China also flew in to play the keyboards for this special occasion.

Tria Bascon with Moreno Donadel, Aquarela, and The CompanY

I’ve given her debut album Wanderlust a number of spins and I do appreciate hearing live instruments (brass, winds, grand piano and even an accordion) which is now rare since it’s mainly all about the computer, effects, and autotune in popular music nowadays. The album is indeed a journey throughout the world since there are songs in Portuguese (Anos Dourados), Spanish (Perfidia), Italian (Arrivederci) and French (La Belle Vie). This makes the lone Filipino track, Magkikita Pa Rin Naman Tayo, a standout in the album just like what happened in her performance during the launch. The song has a moving and soothing melody like a lullaby that will resonate with a lot of Filipinos especially those who are overseas and away from their families. She is indeed very excited about this song and couldn’t wait to perform it in her performances abroad when I asked her about it.

Wanderlust caters to a more mature, discerning and sophisticated listener which is not surprising considering that the carrier single is I’m Old Fashioned that has a video featuring actor Carlos Amir Agassi. Most of the songs from this album may be years and even decades old, but they didn’t become classics for nothing and Tria’s renditions of these jazz songs bring out the beauty in them. Tria maintains a busy performance schedule abroad but I do hope that just like what Magkikita Pa Rin Naman Tayo suggests, that we will still see her and more of her music soon in local shores.

Wanderlust

Tracks:

1. With a Little Help from My Friends feat. The Company

2. Two for the Road feat. Mel Villena

3. I’m Old Fashioned

4. Magkikita Pa Rin Naman Tayo

5. Anos Dourados feat. Aquarela

6. Nice to be Around feat. Mel Villena

7. Perfidia

8. Arrivederci

9. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

10. I Remember You

11. La Belle Vie

12. Baby It’s Cold Outside feat. Jose Mari Chan

13. The Party’s Over