The CompanY. The Philippine's premiere vocal harmony act was formed in 1985 by alumni of the Ateneo College Glee Club. Initially, they sang as back up vocalists for the country's reigning pop stars of the '80's before turning professional as the headlining concert and recording artists that they are today.
After undergoing a number of personnel changes, the group is now a quintet composedof Sweet Plantado (soprano), Annie Quintos (soprano/alto), Cecile Bautista(alto), Jay Marquez (tenor) and Moy Ortiz (tenor2/bass).
This versatile sextet resist categorization by continually delving into almost all forms of music genres involving vocal harmony; traditional/classical choral music, pop, mainstream jazz, smooth jazz, dance, R&B, contemporary acappella, novelty, folk, Brazilian, gospel, electronica, rap, loungecore, Christmas, Acid jazz, swing, bebop, vocalese, altenative pop, musical theater, rock, brazilian, Latin among others.
Main musical influences include: The Manhattan Transfer, The Singers Unlimited, The Carpenters, Swing Out Sister, Pizzicato Five, Burt Bacharach, Take 6, First Call, Swingle Singers, Fifth Dimension, Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams, The Corrs, Destiny’s Child etc..
The CompanY is perpetually expanding their boundaries in vocal music. Over the past 24 years they have received 39 music industry awards, making them the most awarded recording vocal group in theland. Part of this success includes the release of 18 critically and commercially successful studio albums.
The members of The CompanY also wear many hats. Within this group are songwriters, vocal and instrumental arrangers, concert and record producers, choreographers, stage directors, scriptwriters, image consultants, layout artists, set designers, visual artists, voice teachers, recording coaches, studio/session singers, stage actors and workshop masters. This only serves to underscore the versatility and talent of this group.
Veterans of the concert circuit both here and abroad, The CompanY have had the privilege of sharing the stage with international acts like The Manhattan Transfer, Jim Brickman, Noel Pointer, John Ford Coley, David Pack, Ambrosia, Survivor, Kalapana, Kenny Rankin, Michael Buble, Steve Tyrell and BASIA.
The group is also known for its strong (and sometimes controversial) visual images constantly reinventing their look gravitating towards the works of progressive,cutting edge European and Japanese designers. This highly experimental approach with their costumes and stage act is highly reflective of the group's motto:Substance with style!
After a major personnel change in 2005, The CompanY has transformed its configuration from a vocal sextet to a quintet. The last three years have found the group involved with high profile projects (both onstage and in the studio) that have been received with critical and commercial success.
To mark their 20th Anniversary in2005, The CompanY released The Anthology album (a double CD album) containing the highlights of The CompanY’s recorded work under Ivory Records and Viva Records.The CompanY’s Anthology album includes the group’s original hits, unreleased tracks, unreleased remixes, demos, jingles, radio interview excerpts, outtakes,and 4 music videos etc. This special package contains a 44 page booklet inside chronicling the group’s 20-year journey.
2006 also saw the group involved in their first television series. The CompanY was a part of the vocal and performance department of the highly rated ABS-CBN reality television program - Pinoy Dream Academy. This prompted The CompanY to release an audio and video kit that is a first of its kind in Philippine recording. Entitled, “The CompanY presents:Discovering The Singing Champion in You”, this VCD and Audio Disc features Basic Vocal Warm Up & Workout Exercises For The Contemporary Pop Singer. With the popularity of shows like American Idol, Search for a Star In A Million , Pinoy Idol and Pinoy Dream Academy – this “portable vocal lesson and workout” is a practical, effective and convenient way to discover, develop and discipline today’s pop singer.
Two albums were subsequently released in 2006 and 2007. First out was the bestselling The Christmas Album. Next came the Brazilian themed concept album entitled Destination Bossa. This album spawned The CompanY’s 4th television special on ABC Channel 5 in August 2007 entitled: Destination: Bossa Live!; Performed and recorded at the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Manila.
The CompanY has also produced Summer Vocal Performance Workshops for the last couple of years. The group went into a partnership with United MultiArt Productions Inc.(UMPI) for the summer of 2007; and with Trumpets Playshop for summer 2008. Both workshops were big success.
September and October, 2007 found The CompanY performing their new big band show entitled “Let’s Kick Some Brass!” first Davao City (debut show) then later at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. At the CCP show, The CompanY was awarded two standing ovations by their audience.
The repeat performance of the big band show was given a Christmas twist when The CompanY staged “A Very HORNY Christmas with The CompanY” last December 15, 2007 at the Music Museum. The CompanY was once again accorded two standing ovations by the audience.
Recently,The CompanY released their 18th album entitled, Group Hug, a tribute to iconic and legendary music groups. This dynamic orchestral album features Gerard Salonga and his orchestra, FILharmoniKa.
After 24 years in the business, The CompanY continues to be a potent force both inthe live entertainment and recording scenes. The cliché definitely applies to The CompanY - like good wine, somethings do get better with age.
Source:
http://thecompanysingers.com
