The Reunion You've Been Waiting for: Kyla and Jay-R, 20 Years On

In the past year or so, more and more local artists are staging concerts, signaling the return of live music. You have new generations of musicians making headline-making major solo concerts, such as Arthur Nery Live in the New Frontier Theater and Moira Dela Torre at the Araneta Coliseum. And you also have doses of nostalgia from veteran acts like Ebe Dancel and Mitch Singson for Sugarfree’s “Sa Wakas” concert in 123Block and “Tanawin” featuring s few of FIlipino rock’s iconic female vocalists. 

But local concert promoter Gabi Na Naman managed to up the ante in their prolific lineup of shows, moving up to the “poptimist circle” by booking one of their most ambitious concerts yet: the reunion show of R&B King and Queen, Kyla and Jay-R.

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GNN POP will launch its first-ever concert called “Back in Time” headlined by one of the country’s best R&B singer-songwriters Kyla Alvarez and Jay-R, co-presented by Cornerstone Entertainment. Ever since meeting backstage at GMA’s Sunday noontime variety show SOP in the early 2000s, Kyla and Jay-R immediately clicked, and so did their future collaborations such as “Say That You Love Me,” “Undeniable,” and “Back in Time.” Their relationship as collaborators is the strongest it's ever been, despite the years.

Both artists were able to give a sneak peek of what fans can expect at their reunion concert happening on Saturday, September 2, at the New Frontier Theater, Cubao, Quezon City. Some members of the press were able to sit down with Kyla minus Jay-R, who is currently on tour in the United States at the time of this writing. Kyla showed off her still-impressive vocal runs and harmonies effortlessly to the audience. The singer-songwriter also shared updates about family, her career and collaborations both old and new. The seasoned R&B veteran knows what she’s gunning for in the reunion concert.

“This concert is a surprise for the both of us,” she says. “Hindi namin siya naisip and so GNN approached us and gave us an idea, together with Cornerstone. This is something we haven’t thought about doing. And we thought, ‘Oo nga no, we haven't thought about this concert. Why not now?’ And we’re also celebrating our 20th anniversary as a tandem. On our 20th may ganito kaming concert, andami natin ideas, andami natin gustong kantahin. Sabi ko, ‘Oh my gosh,’ yung mga songs na kinanta natin, sinulat natin, yung mga songs na naisip natin. aabutin kami ng four hours.”

When asked about the current state of R&B today in the 2020s, Alvarez namedropped Adie as one of her favorite artists locally. She also expressed delight that a lot of local artists are proud to represent the genre. 

“Actually naha-happy ako,” Alvarez said. “Whenever like nagju-judge ako sa singing competition, whenever i hear someone na naririnig na may influence of R&B, it makes me happy. Para kang nakikita ka ng relative and family member na antagal ko sila hindi ko nakita, na parang finally you’re here. Happy ako na parang mas accepted and embraced na ang R&B.”

Alvarez was able to add that learning R&B was tough back in the day but said the accessibility of studying the genre online helped. She also urged songwriters to look up whatever information you need about a genre and its fundamentals.

“It’s very easy to study, dahil sa mga Youtube, ang daming references,” Alvarez says. “Back in the day wala naman Spotify or iTunes. If you want to study an artist and learn and kung ano yung ginagawa nila with their arrangements and concerts, you had to rent a VHS; you had to buy the CD. Pupunta ka ng Quiapo para magpa-record ng concert ni Ella Fitzgerald. Pero ngayon it’s so easy, it’s so available. There’s no reason for you not to learn because YouTube is there.”

To exemplify their chemistry and work ethic as a duo, Alvarez was able to mention one of her and Jay-R’s latest collaborative singles, “Undeniable,” wch they finished in about 30 minutes. 

“When we recorded it, sobrang bilis,” she says. “It’s easy. Parang naka-default lang kami. By default nagagawa na yung mga adlibs namin. Kase parang pag nagpe-perform kami titingin ako sakanya na parang it’s your sign to do your adlib. Titignan ko sya talaga. Kase when you know somebody talaga, sobrang swak na kayo. Tingin lang alam niyo na kung gagawin niyo yung adlibs.”

To everyone’s surprise in the presscon, Jay-R made an appearance online through video and was gracious enough to answer questions submitted by the media beforehand. The artist, who is currently in the West Coast of the United States, expressed excitement about the concert, which is happening in less than two months’ time. 

“I learned from her, I grew up with her,” he says, “Ang galing niya as a singer, performer, and as a person even. Di pa tapos yung question pumapayag na ako. That’s how eager I am to do the concert.” 

Jay-R mentioned that there are “Jayla” fans that are super excited for the collaboration to happen on the big stage. He mentioned in passing that in the collaboration, there will be surprises waiting for the fans, even teasing a dance number with Alvarez. 

“We have so many Jayla fans out there and they have been waiting for another concert,” he said. “We’ve kinda veered off on our own journeys, but 20 years later, we’re coming back together. It’s going to be exciting to see what kind of chemistry we have now compared to when we started.”

Jay-R also shared his thoughts about working with Kyla today, especially with their repertoire of hits spanning from the early 2000s to the late 2010s. 

“When Kyla and I collaborate, most definitely you can expect smooth vocals, some very intricate harmonies,” he explains. “Siyempre di mawawala sa amin ang mga high-belting powerful notes. So please do expect them.” 

“Back in Time” headlined by Jay-R and Kyla happens at the New Frontier Theater, Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday, September 2, 2023. Tickets are available online.