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Nicole Laurel Asensio. Jeff Cabiling and Rham Canlas/Handout

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ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774841374000shure 7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Nicole Laurel Asensio. Jeff Cabiling and Rham Canlas/Handout</div>MANILA — A quiet shift has been unfolding in the country’s live music scene: jazz, once relegated to niche audiences, is finding new life among younger listeners drawn to intimate venues, analog textures and a sense of nostalgia reframed for the present.At the center of that resurgence is singer-songwriter Nicole Laurel Asensio, whose own artistic evolution mirrors the broader movement. Known earlier in her career for rock performances, Asensio has, over the past decade, leaned into jazz and blues — an instinctive pivot that now feels prescient as the genre experiences renewed cultural currency.Across Metro Manila, dimly lit bars and speakeasy-style venues have been staging regular “jazz nights,” attracting audiences who may be encountering the genre for the first time. The appeal lies not only in the music but in the atmosphere: stripped-down arrangements, close listening, and a shared sense of presence that contrasts with larger, more impersonal concert settings.“Both the local and global music scene is embracing a resurgence of the classics and jazz influences in modern music,” Asensio said, noting the rise of venues where younger crowds gather over classic cocktails and standards. “It is an unexpected renaissance of the jazz age influence… the perfect blend of old meets new.”For Asensio, the shift was not without skepticism. Her move away from rock once raised questions, but it has since positioned her as a key voice in a scene that values reinvention and musical storytelling. Her performances — often anchored in jazz phrasing and improvisation — have resonated with audiences navigating their own sense of transition in a post-pandemic landscape.That period of disruption has also reshaped listening habits. As live events return, there is a noticeable gravitation toward genres that emphasize intimacy and emotional nuance. Jazz, with its improvisational core and historical depth, has provided a natural fit.Asensio’s international appearances reflect that growing reach. Following a residency in Hong Kong, she has performed in Taipei, bringing a distinctly Filipino sensibility to global stages. Even without language as a constant, she said, audiences connect through phrasing and feeling — elements central to jazz’s enduring appeal.Amid this momentum, Asensio was recently named the first Philippine music brand ambassador for Shure, a development she described as aligned with her ongoing work as a performer. The partnership comes as the company marks its centennial, alongside local distributor JB Music Philippines, which is celebrating 50 years.For artists like Asensio, the convergence of these milestones underscores a larger continuity: a genre rooted in tradition, rediscovered by a new generation, and carried forward by musicians willing to follow where their sound leads.

At the center of that jazz resurgence is singer-songwriter Nicole Laurel Asensio, whose own artistic evolution mirrors the broader movement

At the center of that jazz resurgence is singer-songwriter Nicole Laurel Asensio, whose own artistic evolution mirrors the broader movement

Nicole Laurel Asensio finds her moment as jazz reemerges in PH nightlife

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Nicole Laurel Asensio finds her moment as jazz reemerges in PH nightlife

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published March 30, 2026 11:32 AM PHT

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Nicole Laurel Asensio

jazz

music

nightlife

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