Filipino jazz queen Annie Brazil turned 82 last Tuesday, Oct. 6, celebrating the milestone with an intimate gig at My Club (134 Jupiter St., Makati).

She’s been living in New Jersey for the past several years, but the veteran singer—whose full name is Justiniana Brazil Bulawin—makes it a point to spend her birthday in Manila with her family. Son Richard Merk, along with his wife Roni Tapia-Merk, helps organize Brazil’s homecoming shows.

The show last Tuesday night had Brazil backed by her favorite pianist Romy Posadas, bassist Tom Galang and drummer Jorge San Jose.

The band was playing “The More I See You” when we arrived; the petite Brazil sat on center stage, looking relaxed and regal as she warbled like a young girl crazily in love.

Merk joined her for a duet on “It Had To Be You”—cutting a lovely portrait as the son sang playfully on second voice while the mother took lead vocals on a cautious tempo.

Merk—whose own singing style obviously took after Brazil’s—was his usual humorous self as he cracked jokes while acting as the gig’s emcee and acknowledging friends in the audience. The crowd included lawyers, businessmen, corporate executives, fellow musicians, and Philippine Daily Inquirer editor in chief Letty Jimenez Magsanoc—who was excited to catch the show because Brazil “provided the soundtrack to my love story.”

She recalled that in the 1960s, her future husband, Carlos Magsanoc, used to bring her to a club in Makati to watch Brazil sing. “I love jazz,” she declared, adding that Carlos wanted to make a good impression that he knew which place to go for a date.

And which place was that?

“I forgot the name,” she said, “but what I remember was that we could sit on the floor.”

Brazil, who joined Magsanoc at the table, said, “That’s the Hot Tube!”

Jovencito Zuño, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Annie Brazil — JOVENCITO Zuño, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Annie Brazil

Richard Merk, Mito Barretto — RICHARD Merk, Mito Barretto

The reminiscing went on as Magsanoc requested a tune, “I Remember You,” which Brazil obliged.

The music didn’t stop even as Brazil finished her short but sweet set; three more singers, Emcy Corteza, Maegan Herrera and Anna Maria Flechero, jammed to some numbers, the wine and memories pouring as the night wore on.

Brazil will be the special guest of Merk, who celebrates his 60th birthday with his own show on Oct. 14 at Primo’s Cuisine & Lounge (Mayflower St., The Hub, Greenfield District, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig).

Anna Maria Flechero jams with the band — ANNA Maria Flechero jams with the band

Oktoberfest events

Oktoberfest is in full swing, and two places we’d like to visit for their special treats on this occasion are Resorts World Manila (RWM) and Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

RWM will celebrate the traditional beer festival at its sports bar and watering hole named Franks—which is offering a “Cheers and Beers” promo with a platter of chicken inasal sausage, pretzel and sauerkraut, served with a choice of German-brewed Paulaner Dunkel or Weissbier, all for P370 net.

The promo lasts until Oct. 31.

Visit rwmanila.com or call the tourist/visitor hotline, 9088833.

Bavarian feast at Sofitel

Sofitel is again partnering with the German Club Manila for the hotel’s 77th Oktoberfest, to be held on Oct. 16 and 17 at its Harbor Garden Tent.

The event is offering a grand Bavarian feast, limitless towers of beer, featured collection of German traditions and raffle prizes.

The buffet menu includes salads and appetizers, soup and main dishes consisting of Bavarian specialties like roasted pork knuckles, roasted calf, laugen rolls, grilled German sausages, all good to last the entire night with midnight snacks.

The exclusive drink is San Miguel beer.