10/01/2003

Jed Maddela has the makings of a world-class performer

Walden S. Sadiri

 

Calling Jed Maddela a balladeer is an under statement. After his mini-show last week at the Dish to launch his debut album under Universal Records entitled “I’ll Be Around,” he has showcased he can be more — a total performer or even the recording industry’s future concert king!

 

More than just his album, that night’s highlight was his vocal prowess and versatility. He gave his audience, which was composed of his family, friends, the press and his fans, a sample of how passionate Jed Maddela is with his singing. His managers Ronnie and Yda Henares of Primeline were also in attendance. Singers Karylle and Lani Misalucha lent him their whole-hearted support as they sang a duet with him in different numbers.

“Lani Misalucha has one of the most beautiful voices not only in this country but the whole world,” Jed remarked that night before they did their number. “I’m just grateful she has given me the opportunity to perform with her in her very successful U.S. tour last year and in her other shows. She has always been good to me.”

Lani, after their performance, returned the compliment when she told the audience Jed was an artist to watch out for. And the crowd roared in agreement.

With regards to his album, Jed was simply in awe during his show. “I really can’t explain how I feel tonight. I feel great being out here on the stage with everybody around. It is really hard to put into words how I feel. I’m just emotional.”

His album was conceived last June 2002. And he began collecting songs from then on until October of last year. But because he entered the 2003 Voice of Asia International Song Festival that was held in Kazakhstan, production and the release of his album were put on hold.

Pushing back the date of his album launch served him well since he bagged the Second Prize in the said international songfest. With his achievement, he’s just very deserving of a recording album.

“I worked with great composers like Vehnee Saturno, Ito Rapadas, Jimmy Antiporda and Ogie Alcasid in this album and it was really a great experience for me,” he beamed with excitement.

His album contains premium love songs from the artists he mentioned above. Including the title track “I’ll Be Around” by Vehnee Saturno, the other songs are “Seven Seas” (Vincent Wongaiham), “Labis Akong Umiibig (Vehnee Saturno), “Laging Ikaw” ( Boyet Navajas), “Let Me Love You (J. Becker), “Take It Easy (Ito Rapadas/Jimmy Antiporda), “Paano Ba Maibabalik Ang Kahapon” (Jimmy Antiporda), “I’m Here For You” (Harvey Masor Jr./John Hendy/Terry Caldwell/Brian Harvey), the remake of “Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang” and Ogie Alcasid’s composition “Sabihin Na.”

Though every song in his album is his favorite, he admits to having one particular song that’s closest to his heart — Jimmy Antiporda’s “Paano Maibabalik Ang Kahapon.”

“This song almost didn’t make it in my album. I think it speaks of a lot of feelings and you can relate to the feeling of being left alone and the feeling of longing for someone to come back,” he reminisced.

Discovering his knack for singing when he was only five years old, Jed was trained by his father who is a choirmaster. Under his father’s tutelage, he learned discipline and the skills to hone his singing craft. The results were then exemplary after years and years of vocal coaching from his dad because he began to earn himself recognitions in various singing contests while still in school. In 1993, he became the PRISAA Interschool Competition Literary Musical Contest champion. He too was crowned champion in 1995’s National Panasonic Quest For The Best. And in 1997 he was awarded the Male Songbird Award at the University of San Agustin.

According to him, his local musical influences and inspirations are Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha and Gary Valenciano.

Jed Maddela also joined a number of bands before he entered showbiz as a solo artist. He was the lead vocalist of DyeVest, Pose and Prime Council. It was only after he left the band scene en route to Manila from Iloilo City a few years back that he was discovered by his manager Ronnie Henares.

“I learned a lot from my experiences with a band. It was with them that I trained myself to talk to people and communicate to my audience. Singing with them also improved the quality of my voice ,” he shared.

From then on his exposure included gigs with Lani Misalucha, the musical “East Meets West” directed by Maurice Littikhause, his very own Crossover concert series and regular television appearances.

Making a mark in the music industry with his vocal styling, Jed was also nominated as one of The Best New Artists in the last Aliw Awards.

“I’ll Be Around” for Jed is the realization a dream come true. Jed Maddela is a world-class performer ON THE RISE!