The music never stops for David Benoit.
Now 70 years old, the renowned American jazz pianist and composer is once again on the road, indulging in his greatest passion: performing music live and reviving the timeless tunes that endeared him to listeners for almost five decades.
David is currently in the Philippines for another visit as he is set to perform on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City.
Joining David as a special guest on the show is Asia's premiere vocal group, The Company.
Plans to bring David back to the country for a performance had been in progress for quite some time. However, the producer and David had to consider several factors, especially with the world still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It feels great. I've been looking forward to this for a long time. You know, it's a very long way to travel, so it's a bit nerve-wracking, especially getting into my advanced age... it's a long way to come but it's so worth it," David told the media at a press conference at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
A CERTIFIED HITMAKER
While David is a jazz musician, he is admired by critics and listeners for his ability to blend diverse genres, making his kind of jazz music — a genre that is long considered "niche" and even high-brow — accessible to broad audiences around the world.
He has worked with some of the biggest names in music familiar to mainstream radio like Patti Austin, David Pack, Dianne Reeves, Faith Hill, and Brian McKnight, to name only a few.
Some of David's well-known tunes include "The Key To You," "Every Step of the Way," "Letter to Evan," and "Take a Look Inside My Heart."
David remains admirably active in playing music, whether for leisure or work.
While the music seems to naturally flow from the three-time Grammy nominee, David admitted that crafting melodies and tunes is no easy feat — a challenge that persists even today, despite his extensive experience as a musician.
"Inspiration comes, I don't have a problem with that. It's having the time to sit down — it's discipline," shared David.
He elaborated, "Because it takes time [to write a song], you can't just, 'Well, I'll compose a song, and then I guess I did it, and so now I'll go watch movies.'
"You know, you sit down for a few hours and just be at the piano.
"Nowadays, with life being so busy, what I have to do now maybe rent a little cabin in the woods and write... find that nice blank canvas to be able to write is a challenge, a big challenge."
LOVING THE PHILIPPINES
David's accomplishments as a musician made him cross paths with people in and outside the music business.
His longevity is underscored by the fact that he has been invited to perform before heads of state from various eras.
David proudly mentioned performing in the White House in the presence of many U.S. presidents such as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.
Here in the Philippines, David remembered playing with presidents Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and Corazon "Cory" Aquino in the audience.
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David's last visit to the Philippines was during the administration of Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino as part of a benefit concert at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2014 to help raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
Needless to say, David cherishes returning to the Philippines to share his music.
This fondness for the country stems from a poignant story, which David considers one of the high points of his illustrious career.
"The first time that I came to Manila, 1981. Nobody knew me in the U.S., well some people did. But I came here and I was like, 'What are all these cameras doing in the airport?' 'Well, those are all for you,' and [I said] 'What?'" recalled David.
"And, yeah, I didn't know that I was so popular here. [I performed at the] PICC with a full orchestra, singers, everything. It was an experience I will never forget.
"I never had anything like that where you go to this country, you are so loved and you had no idea."
Tickets to An Evening with David Benoit are available on Ticketworld and at the Solaire Box Office.