Ella May Saison
Encyclopedia
Ella May Saison is a Filipino singer. She is acknowledged as the original Queen of Soul of the Philippines.
, respectively. Saison won the Katha Award for Best Female Performer, She was also recognized in the Philippines for one Gold and one Platinum album.
A year after her second album release, she signed a recording deal with Evander Holyfield
's independent record label, Kats Eye, and released So In Love in 1997. The songs "So In Love" and "Never Had A Chance" were released as singles. Andrew Rollins and Don Williams were producers, songwriters and musicians on the album except for "Never Had A Chance" which was co-written by Judith Jordan, Ronnie Hammon and Rollins. Jerry Brown was the engineer. The album was recorded at A&M Studios. Humberto Gatica
was also an engineer.
In addition to working with Humberto Gatica (producer of Celine Dion
), she has worked with Gerry Brown (producer of Vanessa Williams
) and artists such as The Eagles, and IV Xample. Timothy B. Schmit
of The Eagles contributed background vocals to the So In Love album, as did Eagles contemporary John David Souther.
There has been a degree of controversy associated with the credits to So In Love. It is contended that Saison specifically worked with Bryant Woodert (PKA Lucius) of IV Xample, who produced her vocals for the title song to the album. This song, written by Don H. Williams and Andrew Rollins, went on to win an award in the Philippines for best vocal production. Bryant Woodert never received any credit for doing vocal production, though he is listed as a background singer on the album credits (under Lucius of IV Xample). Though Gerry Brown was the engineer for this session,it is contended that he did not participate in any vocal direction, even though he and Andrew Rollins were given the credit for this. Andrew Rollins, who was said to be in New York at the time of the recording, later received the Philippine award for best vocal production.
Saison released a single with CeCe Peniston
entitled "Reminiscin", which made the Billboard Charts
under the "Powerpick Club Play" category, hitting number 30. The Peniston
's opinion of Saison is as follows: "(In) January 2001, we collaborated on a duet titled "Reminiscin" that charted on 'Billboard's Club Playlist'. I was fortunate to witness the warmth of a beautiful personality and the great talent of a rising star. I hope the world will be allowed to share in this experience too." Ella May also performed at the Awards Dinner of the Republic of South Africa and the African Times in honor of President Nelson Mandela
. She recently sung the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Countrywide Classic/ATP US Open Series at UCLA last July 17, 2007.
In the early 2000s, her focus became more regional than national, when she joined Los Angeles-based covers band Dark Sunday, as lead singer, where she was well-received.
She returned to the Philippines in 2005, to great acclaim, but then left again for California in the United States where she continues her career.
Saison performed Till My Heartaches end in Party Pilipinas
in July 2011.
Awards
Biography
Saison began her recording career at age 19. Prior to landing a recording contract, she was a soloist for the Artstart Band, specializing in jazz, gospel and blues. In the Philippines, she is best known for her hits "Till My Heartaches End" and "If The Feeling Is Gone", subsequently covered by Passage and KylaKyla
Melanie Hernandez Calumpad Alvarez , better known by her stage name Kyla, is an R&B singer, songwriter, producer, TV host, and occasional actress from the Philippines....
, respectively. Saison won the Katha Award for Best Female Performer, She was also recognized in the Philippines for one Gold and one Platinum album.
A year after her second album release, she signed a recording deal with Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield is a professional boxer from the United States. He is a former undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"...
's independent record label, Kats Eye, and released So In Love in 1997. The songs "So In Love" and "Never Had A Chance" were released as singles. Andrew Rollins and Don Williams were producers, songwriters and musicians on the album except for "Never Had A Chance" which was co-written by Judith Jordan, Ronnie Hammon and Rollins. Jerry Brown was the engineer. The album was recorded at A&M Studios. Humberto Gatica
Humberto Gatica
Humberto Gatica is a Chilean-born American record producer, music mixer, audio engineer anda long-time collaborator with producer David Foster....
was also an engineer.
In addition to working with Humberto Gatica (producer of Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
), she has worked with Gerry Brown (producer of Vanessa Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
) and artists such as The Eagles, and IV Xample. Timothy B. Schmit
Timothy B. Schmit
Timothy Bruce Schmit is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as bass guitar player and singer for Poco and the Eagles. Schmit has also worked for decades as a session musician and solo artist.-Early career:Raised in Sacramento, Schmit began playing in the folk music group...
of The Eagles contributed background vocals to the So In Love album, as did Eagles contemporary John David Souther.
There has been a degree of controversy associated with the credits to So In Love. It is contended that Saison specifically worked with Bryant Woodert (PKA Lucius) of IV Xample, who produced her vocals for the title song to the album. This song, written by Don H. Williams and Andrew Rollins, went on to win an award in the Philippines for best vocal production. Bryant Woodert never received any credit for doing vocal production, though he is listed as a background singer on the album credits (under Lucius of IV Xample). Though Gerry Brown was the engineer for this session,it is contended that he did not participate in any vocal direction, even though he and Andrew Rollins were given the credit for this. Andrew Rollins, who was said to be in New York at the time of the recording, later received the Philippine award for best vocal production.
Saison released a single with CeCe Peniston
CeCe Peniston
CeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S...
entitled "Reminiscin", which made the Billboard Charts
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
under the "Powerpick Club Play" category, hitting number 30. The Peniston
CeCe Peniston
CeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S...
's opinion of Saison is as follows: "(In) January 2001, we collaborated on a duet titled "Reminiscin" that charted on 'Billboard's Club Playlist'. I was fortunate to witness the warmth of a beautiful personality and the great talent of a rising star. I hope the world will be allowed to share in this experience too." Ella May also performed at the Awards Dinner of the Republic of South Africa and the African Times in honor of President Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
. She recently sung the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Countrywide Classic/ATP US Open Series at UCLA last July 17, 2007.
In the early 2000s, her focus became more regional than national, when she joined Los Angeles-based covers band Dark Sunday, as lead singer, where she was well-received.
She returned to the Philippines in 2005, to great acclaim, but then left again for California in the United States where she continues her career.
Saison performed Till My Heartaches end in Party Pilipinas
Party Pilipinas
Party Pilipinas is a Philippine music variety show broadcasted by GMA Network. The show premiered on 28 March 2010 - replacing the defunct SOP Fully Charged. It also broadcasts worldwide through GMA Pinoy TV.Each week, two teams alternate to give the audience a variety in theme and concepts.Direk...
in July 2011.
Albums
- 1992: Language of Soul
- 1994: Full of Love, Full of Soul
- 1996: Best of Ella May Saison (VivaViva Records (Philippines)VIVA Records is Philippine record label. It is subsidiary of VIVA Entertainment.- Artists & Album Releases :* 18 Greatest Hits ** Andrew E.** Basil Valdez ** Jun Pulistico...
) - 1997: So In Love (Kats Eye)
- 2005: Ella May Saison "Soulfoul" (Star Records)
- 2006: Ella May (Silver Series, Viva)
Singles
- 1992: "'Til My Heartaches End"
- 1993: "If the Feeling Is Gone"
- 1993: "Goodbye's not Forever"
- 1994: "Full of Love"
- 1997: "So in Love" (Kats Eye)
- 1997: "Never Had A Chance" (Kats Eye)
- 1999: "I Believe"
- 2001: "Reminiscin" featuring CeCe PenistonCeCe PenistonCeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S...
(Real DealReal Deal RecordsReal Deal Records was an American recording company founded by boxer Evander Holyfield sometime in the late 1990s. The musicians signed to Real Deal Records include Saison, a popular Filipino singer, NuWine, an inspirational R&B singer, and Exhale, a trio of unique R&B singers. Holyfield emphasized...
) - 2005: "Now That Your Gone" (Star Records)
Awards