Primary Instrument: Vocal
Charmaine Clamor is the first Filipina jazz singer to find success on American radio. Her debut album, Searching for the Soul (2005), “announced the arrival of an impressive new vocal artist. When Charmaine Clamor's warm, luscious contralto slips into a seductive rhythm or purrs through tender lyrics, there's no doubt that a first-rate jazz talent is present” (LOS ANGELES TIMES). Critics and disc jockeys have compared her “bedroom eyes voice” (ALL ABOUT JAZZ) to legendary vocalists like Sarah Vaughan and Cassandra Wilson, all the while recognizing her individual style and sound.
Charmaine's second album, Flippin' Out (2007), synthesizes American jazz, blues and soul with traditional Filipino folk music, instantly creating a new hybrid genre she calls jazzipino. The album debuted on the JazzWeek World Music Charts, a first for a Filipino-born artist. Flippin' Out introduces an imaginative singer daring to create a category all her own.
Originally from the provincial town of Subic-Zambales, Charmaine Clamor began her singing career at age 3, entertaining passengers (whether they liked it or not!) in the back of buses traveling to Manila. As she grew, she began providing piano accompaniment while her mother sang kundiman (Filipino torch songs) and English language classics. From these early memories comes her love of the Great American Songbook.
Charmaine is also the first Filipina to headline the world-famous Catalina Bar & Grill jazz club, in Hollywood, which presented Charmaine at their sold-out 2005 & 2006 Filipino-American Jazz Festival. In 2006, she headlined the First Manila International Jazz Festival in her birth country, the Philippines.
One of the founding members of JazzPhil-USA, a non-profit organization which promotes Filipino-American jazz artists in the United States, Charmaine has been credited with introducing the Filipino culture to mainstream audiences, delighting music lovers with her “very honest stage presence” and vocal artistry that listeners describe as “a spiritual experience” and “utterly mesmerizing” (LA WEEKLY).
”This Filipina jazz singer exhibits a very pure talent. The ability to express much more than just a tune is unique. Clamor sings to times, feelings, and purpose. A superb performance from and multi talented gem!” -- EJAZZNEWS
”Tearing up the jazz club scene recently has been Charmaine Clamor (pictured here), whose new recording Flippin' Out (FreeHam) is a fluid nod both to her jazz chops and to her Filipino heritage. It's quite a recording, as she moves effortlessly between the ultrasensuous and the ultrarhythmic, between smoke and fire.” --DELTA SKY MAGAZINE
”Her new album marks further proof that Clamor will be the first great Filipina jazz singer. Flippin' Out is a mold-shattering breakthrough that will be claimed a classic in years to come.” -- URBAN NETWORK
“When Charmaine Clamor’s warm, luscious contralto slips into a seductive rhythm or purrs through tender lyrics, there’s no doubt that a first-rate jazz talent is present. Her debut album (Searching for the Soul) announced the arrival of an impressive new vocal artist.” -- LOS ANGELES TIMES
”Charmaine Clamor is one of the brightest new stars on the jazz vocalist horizon. She is simply the most gifted, unique performer this listener has encountered in a long time. Not only is her well-trained voice luscious and beautiful in tone and range, but she also knows how to explore the heritages of jazz and her cultural background of the Philippines and marries all this with a sensuous communication that is irresistible.” -- AMAZON.COM, TOP 10
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