Ella May Saison and South Border’s lead singer-songwriter, Jay Durias, have shared a connection spanning over three decades. Their paths first crossed at the Apo View Hotel when Saison was performing with the Artstart Band—marking the beginning of their enduring musical bond.
However, there was no chance where they performed onstage together until now.
On November 9, Saison and Durias will perform together in “SoundTrip Sessions, Volume 3,” at The Theater at Solaire. The concert is bankrolled by Rachelle Colmenares of Dragon Arc Events Management.
The first “SoundTrip Sessions” was with Luke Mejares and Jinky Vidal in 2019. It was followed by “SoundTrip Sessions, Volume 2” with Nyoy Volante and Juris Fernandez in 2023.
After her concert at the PICC didn’t push through in February 2020 because of the pandemic, Saison was locked down in Manila for seven months.
Even if she has been based in the US for more than two decades since 2001, Saison followed protocols and stayed in Manila. “That was chaotic then, so I was forced to stay with my family while we were on lockdown,” she recalled.
When the coast became clear, she returned to Texas, where she is based. It was only last September when Saison came back to Manila.
Durias, meanwhile, cannot be more thankful that he and South Border get to perform with Saison in “SoundTrip Session, Volume 3.”
“It’s very comfortable to sing iconic hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s,” attested Durias. “We get LSS (last song syndrome) with the love songs we hear that Ella and I will give justice to. So expect that.”
Added Saison, “Those songs will make you cry and perhaps fall in love again. For sure, you know very well the songs that we will sing. So expect to hear those songs and expect a good concert. Expect a lot of things.”
Musical director is Saison’s brother, Elhmir Saison. “In this ‘SoundTrip 3,’ everybody will take a trip on the sound of the concert,” explained Elhmir. “This is a new version with South Border and Ella May.”
The collaboration with Saison is something that Durias looks forward to. It is only now that they are sharing the stage together since Saison has been based in the US for more than two decades now.
“We’re not used to performing with a female artist,” asserted Durias. “We are all guys. So this show with Ella May is something to look forward to. There are many possibilities that we can do with Ella May onstage.”
Among the South Border songs that will make it to their set list are “Love of My Life,” “Kahit Kailan,” “Habang Atin ang Gabi” and “Rainbow.”
Saison, meanwhile, will render her national heartbreak soundtracks like “Till My Heartaches End” and “If the Feeling is Gone,” among others.
