Kuh Ledesma - Bio, Albums, Songs and Lyrics - OPM Filipino Music

The Story of Kuh Ledesma

Maria Socorro Ledesma is a known Filipina pop and Jazz singer. She is famous as Kuh Ledesma and was dubbed as ”Pop Diva of the Philippines”. Kuh Ledesma already performed almost 300 concerts and released 18 albums in her sojourn for more than 25 years in Philippine recording industry. She was the first one to become a recipient of Salem Music Awards in London on March 1989.

Kuh was born on March 16, 1955 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. She has a daughter named Isabella Gonzales. She studied Nursing in Colegio de San Agustin de Bacolod.

Kuh’s career commenced when she joined Lastiko band, formerly called Ensalada Band in Bacolod while still a student of Nursing. Later, Kuh and his co-members of the band, Toto Gentica and Jet Montelibano went to Manila and formed Music & Magic Band which became crucial to Kuh’s singing career. The strong presence of the group in the live circuit paved way for Kuh to accept lead role in Rama Hari, pop ballet of Alice Reyes. She then went solo and released her first hit, “Dito Ba”.

In 1980, Kuh released her self-titled album, Kuh under Blackgold Records. On 1981, she released her Kuh’s Magic of 11 songs mostly remakes of international hits. On the same year, she released The Love Songs of Kuh under Star Records. In 1982, Kuh held her all-Filipino concert dubbed “Ako Ay Pilipino” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The concert was a success and eventually became a television special, followed by two albums under Blackgold Records, a now defunct label under Vicor Music Corporation. Another album was released entitled Just You featuring middle-of-the-road songs performed in a sophisticated manner. Another production in 1983 held in CCP named “Inspired Madness”, created in collaboration with the Philippine film director Pequue Gallaga and musical director, Ryan Cayabyab. For 1984- 1986, Kuh joined Apo Hiking Society in Ang Pinoy Nga naman 1, 2 & 3 at the Folk Arts Theatre. She was even chosen to be the recipient of Salem Music Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London. During the entire 1980, Kuh had performed solo concerts at CCP, Araneta Coliseum and The Philippine Folk Arts Theatre. From 1984 to 1990, Ledesma became a model for Lux soap in the Philippines. She then appeared in series of print ads and television commercials for Lux in Singapore and in Indonesia.

Kuh appeared as guest in Gilbert Becaud’s television show in Paris where she sang “Bulaklak” on March 1990. on July, she represented the Philippines at the international television special, Earth 90 in Tokyo, Japan. On the same year, she joined NHK-KAYO parade in Tokyo.

In 1991, Kuh released Ba’t Mahihiyang Sabihin under Viva Records with the carrier single of the same title. She was also chosen one of the judges of the coronation of Miss Universe in 1991. On 1992, another album was released entitled Night And Day under the same label. After four-night concert of Kuh and Noel Pointer, she released The Voice & The Violin under Universal Records on 1994. On the same year, Kuh held her “Two of Hearts” concert with Jack Jones. On the Valentine’s season of 1995, she performed with Kenny Rankin. In April 1997, she was the featured artist of the Muling Aawit Ang Pasig, a benefit concert of former First Lady, Ming Ramos for the restoration of Pasig River. In 1998, National Centennial Commision asked Kuh for a three-night concert of the year dubbed as “Lahi…Kami Ang Pilipino” which was held in Expo Center. Her U.S. Tour with Regine Velasquez was held on 1999, followed by Pops Fernandez and with Jaya in Power of Two. In 1997, she released her international album Precious and in 1999 her Akuhstic album under Viva Records.

Kuh also appeared in several films as Oro Plata, Tinimbang Ang Langit and The Year of Living Dangerously playing as Tiger Lily with Mel Gibson. She also engaged in theatre such as Rama Hari and Kapinangan.

She again performed with another international artist, The Platters in the Valentine Show of 2000. She also released Duet With Me under Vicor Music of the same year. Another Valentine presentation was held in 2002 together with Michel Legrand.

Her monthly television special, Akuhstic Café is a musical travelogue visiting clubs, lounges and concerts. The show was a grand finalist of Asian Television Awards in Singapore for best Musical program. Her DIVA2DIVA with Zsa Zsa Padilla was released on 2003 under Viva Records.

Not satisfied of being just a performer, Kuh formed her own production company named “Headline Concepts”, built alternative concert venues as Music Museum and “Republic Of Malate” and owned a recording studio “Bravo Records”. Her album of Bravo Records entitled K was released in 2007.

Kuh is also a member of Artista Para Sa Pagbabago, an organization comprised of artists, environmentalists and businessmen. She a head of the Restaurant Owners Association of Malate.

Kuh also produced several TV specials such as Kuh By Special Arrangent and currently hosting A.S.A.P. Mania.

Albums

• Kuh
• The Love Songs Of Kuh
• Just You
• Ako Ay Pilipino
• I Think I’m In Love
• Unforgettable
• Too Marvelous For Words
• Feeling
• My First Christmas Album
• Lihim
• Ba’t Mahihiyang Sabihin
• Night And Day
• The Voice & The Violin
• Precious
• Akuhstic
• Duet With Me
• Diva2Diva
• K

Awards

1979

• Most Promising Group- Music & Magic, Aliw Awards

1980

• Best Female Concert & Roadshow Performer- Aliw Awards

1981