Los Angeles-based Pinoy vocalist Charmaine Clamor is putting the Philippines on the world jazz map with jazzipino, a hybrid sound that combines the swing of American jazz with Pinoy soul.

With her evocative and sensuous voice, Charmaine has been compared to legendary jazz figures like Sarah Vaughan and Cassandra Wilson, and this talented Filipina shows that she deserves every recognition. She’s made the top 5 on JazzWeek’s world (#2) and traditional jazz (#5) radio charts simultaneously–a rare feat–and was named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the United States. Critics predict that her recently launched My Harana: A Filipino Serenade will most likely head toward the charts again.

In this interview, Charmaine–who is also a physical therapist and a strong advocate for the environment–talks about her Pinoy roots (she hails from Zambales) and coming to terms with being brown and Pinoy and loving it.

Pinoycentric: It is said that when you were three years old, you would sing while on the bus from Zambales to Manila. What were the songs you sang then?
Charmaine Clamor: Kundiman [Filipino love songs], pop songs, whatever records my parents were playing at the time. I have almost no memory of these “performances,” but my mom likes to remind me!

What are your strongest memories of childhood in the Philippines?
I remember waking up to beautiful music every day from our living room. Sometimes my mom would be singing along with the recording. And usually I would smell breakfast being cooked from our kitchen. I remember always having friends and family visiting all the time. I loved singing with my mom while I played the piano and my father listened while sitting on the couch, smiling and nodding.

I also remember the innocence of love. I was happy then to just be able to catch a glimpse of the object of my affection.

I will never forget the wonderful memories of family outings, mostly at the beach in Subic, and my dear childhood friends.

What do you miss the most about the Philippines?
I miss being with my family and growing older with them. I miss my friends. I also miss celebrating Christmas and New Year’s in the Philippines because it is just not the same anywhere else.

You mentioned that when you were growing up, you also went through a phase of wanting to be fair-skinned, like most every Pinay. How did you come to the realization that your skin color is beautiful and start to be proud of it? When did this turning point come?
I only started appreciating my indigenous qualities when my parents and I migrated to the US in 1988. I started getting many compliments about my brown skin. It still took some time, maybe a couple of years, for me to believe these compliments, to understand that I could be beautiful with kayumanggi skin.

Did you ever feel that your skin color might stand in the way of your success as a performer?
No. In fact, I believed this would give me an edge, as there is no other Filipina who has gotten nationwide attention in American jazz and world music. This would distinguish me from the other many talented female jazz vocalists who dominate this genre.

LA Weekly’s Brick Wahl observed that you have this “unpretentious Pinoy attitude” that’s a bit “rebellious.” Have you always been comfortable in your being Filipino? I must say it takes a lot of courage to show that side, especially when some people have a limited idea of Filipinos. Onstage, do you always go the extra mile to show the Filipino in a positive light?
As a teenager, I also went through the normal struggle with my identity and self-esteem. But as I matured, I cultivated pride in my unique attributes as a woman and as a Filipino. A lot of it I credit to the way my parents raised me. As a performer, I did not have any challenge in showing the Filipino in a positive light. It came to me organically. All I had to do was to be myself, and that turned out to be very attractive to many non-Filipinos.

Your recent harana album included some pieces sung in Filipino dialects. How did you prepare for these, in terms of research and learning the phonetics (enunciation) of these songs? Also, what Filipino dialects do you know?
The research for My Harana: A Filipino Serenade took about 6 months. I searched for harana songs from as many regions as possible. I asked assistance in translation of these songs so that I could interpret them with integrity. In addition, I had a “coach,” a friend or family relative, to help me with the proper pronunciation of each dialect.

Aside from researching the songs, I wanted to research the history of harana in the Philippines, to learn if there is a difference between each region. I found answers from books, online, and by talking to people who had firsthand experience.

In addition, I also did research on our indigenous instruments, and I incorporated them into our arrangements.

My father is Bisaya so I know a little of it and my mother speaks a little Ilokano, which she shared with me.

What keeps you busy when you’re not attending to patients (she is a physical therapist by profession) or performing on stage?
I try to spend as much time as I can on music: creating, rehearsing, or learning. I watch a lot of live music to support artists and to learn from them as well. I love spending time with my family and my friends. I make sure I take annual trips to a place where I can enjoy being with nature and observe the wildlife. I’ve been to the Amazon in South America, and this year I got to enjoy Alaska. Being the chairwoman for the Jazz Society of the Philippines, USA, keeps me busy with our various programs.

I am also a strong advocate for green living and there are numerous environmental organizations that I support. I also take time to exercise and to be spiritually whole.

I’m sure your kababayan would love to hear your music. Are there plans to include Manila in your musical tour any time soon?
Thank you, Karla. I would love for my kababayan to hear my music. In fact, the music video of “My Funny Brown Pinay” is now being shown on the Asian MTV, MYX, which can be seen on ABS-CBN. A music video of “Lahat ng Araw” from my current album will be out soon.

There are discussions for a release of “My Harana” in the Philippines. I am scheduled to do a concert in Manila this November. More detailed information can be found on my Website.

Your last album Flippin’ Out features a song, “My Funny Brown Pinay,” which celebrates the attributes of a Filipina. Tell us, what do you think is beautiful about the Filipino? What gives you great pride in your Filipino roots?
“My Funny Brown Pinay” celebrates the indigenous qualities of a Filipina: kayumanggi skin, flat nose, black hair. I think these physical attributes are beautiful. There are many other Filipino attributes that I admire. I like that we are very family-oriented. I like our respect for our elders. We take care of our lolos [grandfathers] and lolas [grandmothers] and our parents during their golden ages. I also admire our hospitality, the genuine and lasting friendships, our loyalty to family and friends.

We have also a beautiful country that’s filled with spectacular natural wonders. We also have some beautiful original music and art. I’m honored to be part of the ongoing Filipino tradition.

Watch the video “Lahat ng Araw.”
Image credit: CharmaineClamor.com