It is not every day a singer gets to mark a successful thirty-five years in a fickle business like show business. Much-awarded singer and the country’s acknowledged “Concert King” Martin Nievera gets to celebrate just that via “Martin@35,” happening this December at the Theater at Solaire.
“December 8th at The Theater at Solaire will be another opportunity for me to sing the songs I hope to this day have remained as part of the soundtrack of the lives of those who have blessed me with their applause,” he said.
For his jade anniversary, he is pulling out all the stops, collaborating with his godson Paolo Valenciano, who is the husband of his niece and also the son of his friend Gary Valenciano.
“Martin@35, Nievera looks forward to working with Paolo Valenciano, his godson and the son of his most enduring rival Gary Valenciano. “Paolo and I have worked together in many fundraisers and now I feel it’s time for us to work together in one of my milestone concerts. I have true faith in him. I have seen his work before plus I love his wife with all my heart not to mention his daughter so the production is still all in the family.”
The musical director of the show Louie Ocampo is someone he knows like the palm of his hand. Louie and Martin have collaborated on songs like “You Are My Song” and “Say That You Love Me” to name a few and on many concerts. “Just like all things that come with Christmas, my chemistry with Louie is a magical mystery.
We click. We even have the same quirks and fetishes. I have worked with the best, but Louie is the musical director’s musical director. We have seen good days and bad together. From the start of our careers to present day, we have never lost that magic.”
The show’s repertoire is a combination of well-loved Christmas tunes, the singer-songwriter’s signature hits and a few songs from the ‘80s.
“In all my concerts,” shared Martin, “I am always given the freedom to make suggestions and be part of the production. Most if not all my shows I have directed and written myself. But this time, our director Paolo Valenciano and our musical director Louie Ocampo have been banging heads on how to make this a combination 35th anniversary in showbiz concert and a Christmas concert all in one.”
Christmas is magical for the artist – and singing yuletide carols lifts his spirit.
“In my mind, when I sing a Christmas carol I am not just making music, I am singing inside that happy place we only explore once a year at Christmas.
How I wish I could do this more often, like when you open a Christmas present, the wrapper may be nice, but who knows what’s inside? The Christmas wrapping is the Theatre at Solaire, but what waits inside is magic meant only for you,” he explained.
Nievera was recently launched as the only celebrity endorser of the integrated resort and casino, Solaire. He has done numerous shows at The Theatre, the most recent being the Christmas concert “Martin Nievera Home for Christmas” in 2015.
“Martin@35” is presented by Solaire Resort and Casino. For tickets, please call Ticketworld at 8919999.
