Jeepney Press / Maritess Yasuhara

Jeepney Press brings to you this singing siren from Shizuoka. She relates how she has overcomed poverty being born into a poor family in the slums of Manila to blooming into a beautiful jazz chanteuse of Shizuoka, Japan.

Maritess: Her Music, Her Life And All That Jazz...

by Dennis Sun

I was invited once to emcee a Filipino event in Shizuoka where there was a gathering of many singers. And in most Filipino events, what I am looking forward to are not the famous celebrities they bring from the Philippines, but the LOCAL talents we have here in Japan. In this event, I was able to hear for the first time this Filipina singer who was already making waves in the Japanese jazz scene, most particularly in Shizuoka. There, I saw her perform live onstage and witnessed how she attacked every song and how she mesmerized the audience with her charming style and sweet but sultry voice.

A native of Manila, Maritess Yasuhara was born a singer. She started singing at a very young age. Her father who noticed the talent of her daughter, even at barely 5 years old, started bringing her to singing contests in many festivals. She was 12 when she won in a popular singing contest on TV, which led to her being scouted to sing professionally and make a record.

Maritess once dreamt of becoming a recording artist. That wish came true when she was signed under Alpha Records. She was able to release 5 singles under that label. That paved the way for her to sing in big hotels and clubs, singing mostly standards and jazz.

Her ‘ticket’ to the world is her voice. And it was during her singing stint in Singapore when she was scouted by a Japanese producer who provided the chance for her to shine her singing talent to the Japanese audience. There was a big market for jazz in Japan even then. Maritess started to dazzle Japan and landed a contract under the TDK records.

She was also able to do songs for TV commercials.

But fate had different plans for her. She met her Japanese husband and they were based in Shizuoka from then. She concentrated in raising a family of 3 children. As the children are getting older and with the permission of her husband, she gradually is going back to the limelight of singing. Not only does she sing, she also teaches music and voice. She has her own group and they play actively in the Shizuoka jazz scene.

Jeepney Press asked Maritess a few questions:

What got you into music and how did you learn to sing?

My family really loves music especially my dad, who trained me to sing and showed me the tricks to stage showmanship, is my real inspiration. He really pushed me to join many amateur contests and this helped me boost my self-confidence even more. I was also a member of our church choir and did many solo parts. It was there that I learned about music and making harmonies.

What made you decide to pursue a career in singing?

I wanted to help my family and I know that I could help them through my singing. Binigyan ako ng Diyos ng boses at talento at alam kong maiaahon ko ang aking pamilya nang dahil dito.

Napaka sweet ng voice mo at magaan pakinggan sa tainga. Nag vo-vocalize ka ba lagi? Anu-ano ang ginagawa para sa boses mo?

Una, no smoking and no drinking of alcohol and cold drinks especially after singing. Bawal yan sa mga singers. Bawal sumigaw. Nakakasira ng vocal chords. At kailangan, meron ka laging enough sleep. Since I have a voice class, sinasabayan ko yung training ng mga students para ma warm up na rin ng voice ko.

How do you balance your life as a mother, wife and your career?

I know my priorities. Noong maliliit pa ang mga anak ko, once a week lang ako kumakanta. Habang lumalaki sila, at kung meron man oras, dinadagdagan ko na lang ang pagkanta ko. Ngayon, malalaki na sila, at iyong dalawa ay nasa Tokyo na. I have more free time to concentrate on my singing and even go to far away places like Tokyo, Nagano and Yokohama. Ang husband ko, very supportive naman siya! He understands my career.

How does it feel singing to a Japanese audience?

Noong una, hindi pa ako masyadong fluent magsalita ng Japanese. It was so hard to entertain them kasi puro English songs ang mga kinakanta ko. But now that I’m fluent in Japanese, I am able to explain the songs to them, and even tell jokes and stories.

What’s the difference singing to Japanese and Pinoy audience?

Generally, the Japanese audience is quiet. They really listen to you and clap after the end of the performance. Yung mga Pinoy, they show you if they are enjoying your performance. They clap, they shout, they sing-along and even dance sometimes when I sing. So, I think it’s easier to entertain the Pinoy crowd.

How have you survived singing during these corona times?

Oh, I had a 2 month-break. Later on, I had a guitarist friend who visited me twice a month so we could do some rehearsals for upcoming shows.

Any challenging experiences in your life?

Actually, for about 5 years, I suffered from depression and it seemed I couldn’t hear the voice anymore. Siguro, hatid na rin ng menopausal period ng isang babae. I lost interest in everything. But my husband was there to help me bring back the light again. He was there to bring me to the places that I was working at. Then, when I had free time, I began to read the bible even once a week. Starting last year 2019, bumalik ang dati kong sigla. I got an offer from New Vintage Records in Nagoya and I recorded a mini album, My Favorite Songs 2019, which is available at Amazon!

Maritess has a Facebook account and you could follow her and her singing stints there. She would be happy to accept you as friend. She has many video recordings of her performances in Facebook. You can always contact her for singing performances in your events!

As they say, you can put a bird into a cage, but you cannot stop the bird from singing. A singer is always a singer. Maritess is born a singer. And no matter where you place her and whatever circumstances may happen to her life, she would continue to sing. This is the mark of a true artist – filling the world with joy with the light of her voice like the blooming flowers and the singing birds.