A Filipino jazz vocalist lends her voice to Vietnamese compositions.

They are sure that the Filipino singer will “do well wherever she ends up.”

Last month, the 34-year-old vocalist, who moved to Vietnam in September 2007 to play at jazz clubs in Ho Chi Minh City, including the Alibi Club and the Sax N’ Art Jazz Club, won local jazz lovers’ hearts by singing two songs on “Shadow in the Dark,” a progressive jazz album considered Vietnam’s first “hi-end” recording.

Musician Duong Thu, who wrote the songs Arlene sings – Bong toi ly cafe (Shadow in the dark) and Em di qua toi (You passed my way) – said these works had been performed in pop and rock styles by Vietnamese divas Hong Nhung, Thanh Lam and others.

“However, there’s no version that truly expresses my emotions in the songs except Arlene’s,” said Thu, who is one of Vietnam’s most talented songwriters.

“With her style, each song is a story, creating both strange and familiar feelings in others. I was really moved by her performance.

“I can’t explain how she – a foreign singer, who comes from a different culture – could identify my emotions in the songs, though they were translated into English.”

Arlene, a sociology graduate, said that she is a self taught singer who never had a chance to learn formally in a music school.

“I try my best to sing with my heart in all my songs even if it’s in another language,” said the singer, who has been performing jazz in different countries for more than 10 years.

She said, “Jazz is beautiful and creative in nature, so it allows you to be musically creative.”

Singing Vietnamese songs in the style of jazz is a new experience for Arlene, because “the local music, especially the traditional ones, is beautiful and has its distinct features to offer foreign ears.”

However, Arlene said, music is the common language of people throughout the world.

“Vietnam and the Philippines, for example, though we have different cultures, different music, specifically the scene back home is more vibrant….

“But one thing is for sure, both countries have people that love music.”

The love for music brought Arlene to Le Thanh Hai, producer of “Shadow in the Dark,” whom she met at HCMC’s Montana Jazz Club on Dong Khoi Street while working there.

“We are artists, so we understand each other easily,” she said.

“I have just been in Vietnam for over one year, but I have noticed that the local music market is getting better.”

“For me, Vietnamese traditional music is very melodic. I hope this aspect will be carried over to contemporary songs.”

The two Vietnamese songs in English is just her first project in Vietnam. “Learning Vietnamese is my other project while working here for the next few years.” She wants to record a full Vietnamese album before moving to another country.

“It’s my way to make new friends,” Arlene said.

Reported by Phuong Anh