So much things have happened early on in the year, from Kobe Bryant’s death to COVID-19 outbreak. With social distancing in effect and an enhanced community quarantine officially implemented, it’s certainly not the best time for a musical group to take the baby steps, unless it’s one matured enough to face the music and destined to be created in the midst of a virus-stricken world.
Early this month, vocal trio Verzes, bannered by Rico Garcia of “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” fame, appeared on Net 25’s Pambansang Almusal without a hint that in a few days’ time, Metro Manila, then the rest of Luzon, would be quarantined to keep the dreaded coronavirus from spreading. At least they have already spread some good news about their newly created ensemble and shared their wonderful harmonies to the public by the time COVID-19 took over.
Verzes is tuned to this year’s nature to surprise, with the group suddenly finding itself happening several weeks back after bossa nova specialist Marvin Velasquez recruited Jeri Barrios to join a group he and close friend Rico were envisioning. Rico remembered exchanging messages with Jeri and sensing he was talking to the right fellow even if they haven’t met yet.
“When you are an artist, mararamdaman mo kung magkapareho kayo ng preferences o magkakasundo kayo kahit hindi pa kayo nagkikita,” said Rico whose mainstream TV exposure a couple of years back made some quarters rate him as a first-rate jazz crooner.
Rico’s solo effort “Lovestruck in London Square” emphasized that ability and reflected his admiration for the city mentioned in the title. His manager Rusty Mallillin is a London-based songwriter who helped introduced Marvin to the British audience.
Verzes is actually a passion project for its members as Jeri, a TV commercial model with considerable singing experience in hotels and lounge bars, is also pursuing his own solo career.
Being under the same management Erasmostar makes it less complicated for them to perform as a unit. Not to mention the enjoyment that comes along singing together and lending each other’s styles for a common goal.
Jeric noted, “We feel like we three jive musically. Experience-wise hinog na din lahat and our individual journeys made us all ready for this.”
Last month I dined with all three in an all-you-can-eat restaurant, along with the Manila-visiting Rusty, and I could see there was that closeness among them. They came from a rehearsal and were excitedly discussing about their upcoming recording.
At some point I opened the subject of inexperienced singers becoming recording artists in an instant because one guy videoed them singing somewhere and the upload went viral. To this, Rico expressed, “I believe that a true artist never stops learning. Fame may come but your job is to explore more possibilities.”
That’s precisely is the idea with Verzes, merging together Rico’s jazzy groove to that of Marvin’s bossa nova calm and Jeri’s pop ballad expression.
