I get free tickets to many of the shows in Las Vegas so I rarely pay to see shows here. Last night I made it a point to see a show that is not being given away free and to my delight, it was worth every nickel I paid.
Although the Society of Seven has been around for years - as long as fifty years? - last night was the first time I saw the group perform. I had a great time. The singing was superb, first-rate, the arrangements, lighting and effects were world-class and there was the grown-up Jasmine Trias to boot.
I remember Jasmine when she was sixteen and singing in the American Idol competitions in 2004. The whole Filipino diaspora voted for her week-in and week-out. I voted for her many times. I haven't voted in American Idol since.
The whole state of Hawaii and Filipinos in California and New York kept her in the finals until she was one of three who were still standing.
She did not make it to the final night of competition - the top two finalists - apparently because not even the state of Hawaii, the Filipino diaspora, the state of California and the New York metropolitan area could save her.
She was sixteen then and still had so much to learn.
Last night she was in full bloom as an entertainer. She looked like a star. She exuded charisma. She sounded like a veteran warbler. The years have been good to her. Her skills have taken her to a place Simon Cowell might never have imagined she was capable of going.
In 2004, even her most die-hard enthusiasts would not venture into an assessment of her skills. Jasmine's attraction in those days was centered in her innocent Filipina beauty and not in her singing prowess. Her vocal range was limited and she was clearly deep into the American Idol finals only because the state of Hawaii and the Filipino diaspora had adopted her.
I was curious therefore about Jasmine Trias and how she has developed as a singer over the years, going into the Showroom at Gold Coast Casino last night. I had no idea what to expect of her performance, though I was certain that I would find the Society of Seven entertaining because all those who had seen the group over the years had raved about them.
To my surprise and delight, Jasmine delivered. Her rendition of "The Prayer" - sung with Filipino sensation Michael Leyco - was one of the best I've ever heard, which is saying a lot since Celine Dion and other superstars have sung it. Michael Leyco's timbrous baritone was a great help, of course.
Jasmine impersonated Cher, Beyonce and Diana Ross with understanding and appreciation of those singers' salient vocal and physical mannerisms. Jasmine sang selections from her own collection over the years, taking us - the audience - down memory lane. She was the compleat singer and entertainer last night.
The Society of Seven ranks as one of the best groups to come out of the Filipino diaspora. I can't say it's the best to come out of the Philippines because it originated in Hawaii, where Pinoys reign supreme. As many of you readers know, Pinoys practically "own" Hawaii; in fact, at one time the governor of Hawaii was a Filipino.
The group is probably the best singing group performing in Vegas right now - even if you throw the Jersey Boys into the mix. They offer not just the blending of the best voices in the business, they have slapstick comedy that keeps you in stitches through most of the night. They are masters of impersonation. They each, individually, are great singers.
And this brings me to one of the Society of Seven - Michael Leyco. Introduced as a star in the Philippines before he joined the S of S, Leyco is the ultimate nightclub male crooner cum operatic star. His vocal range is unbelievably wide, and the guy has lungs. In his rendition of Paul Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Waters - sung at Josh Grobin's pitch - he stayed on a note for a full maybe 20 to 25 seconds and then immediately pivoted to another note - all done in a vigorous voice that reminds one of the lead in The Righteous Brothers. In terms of technique, his pivot was reminiscent of Andrea Bocelli, who effortlessly pivots from a very long stay at a single high note into an even higher note without sucking air in.
The reputation of Filipino singers all over Asia is legend. It is a well-deserved reputation because of the emergence of singers such as Michael Leyco. I have a sense that if there is a competition of male individual singers now performing in Las Vegas, Leyco will blow away the competition.
Rack one up for Filipino male singers. A star has burst onto the Las Vegas scene.
The cost of the tickets for two - my wife was with me - was less than what we would have paid if we had gone to dinner. The Society of Seven, with Jasmine Trias, was the best bargain in Las Vegas last night.
This show is a must-see for residents of Las Vegas as well as those who are thinking of visiting Las Vegas in the near future.
