Album Notes

Some of the most intense, honest, intimate, and spontaneous moments of my singing career are contained in Coming True, my debut recording in the United States. The album commemorates my journey, physically and musically, to this fertile and inspiring part of the world.

I’ve always dreamed of exploring America’s wide and exciting playground, discovering its creative vastness, meeting musicians from different corners of the scene, jamming and playing and continuing to evolve as an artist. On Coming True, I am privileged to enjoy the ideal creative support of a most swinging trio – Tateng, Dominic, and Abe -- recording 11 tracks in one feverish session. What a great time it was blowing with these generous cats!

I’m happy to share with you songs that have become extensions of my vision: words that express my innermost feelings about loving and being loved; about leaving, living, and longing; songs about being true to one’s soul and having the courage to just throw everything away; songs of hope and pride, of being proud of one’s heritage and cultural roots (in my case, I am a Filipino, born and raised in the beautiful Philippines); melodies that honor the brilliance and legacy of some of the world’s greatest jazz icons: Wayne Shorter, Abbey Lincoln, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jon Hendricks, Thelonious Monk…and I hope you’ll embrace each one of them.

It always inspires and amazes me how this craft of creating and performing music can instantly provide us glimpses of the abundance and richness that life offers. I’ve always felt a sense of gratitude since the day Jazz, with all its fearlessness and improvisations, touched me and gave me the conviction to share its wonderful, life-changing gift with the world. I hope and pray the world will listen and respond.

A compilation of songs in a single CD will never be enough to express everything in my heart. But I hope this is the start. Thank you for spending some time…

Enjoy listening!

Mon David