Jo Anne Lorenzana and her Music

Full Name: Joanne Geraldine Ongsiako Lorenzana
Birthday: February 14

Jo Anne Lorenzana [or Joanne Lorenzana]
is best remembered for her hit songs:
I'll Never Let You Go (which occupied the number one slot in the Philippine national charts for two months in 1987), You, Kung Alam mo Lang (which became a theme song for the VIVA blockbuster movie Paano Tatakasan Ang Bukas), Back In Your Arms, Bayan Ko, Hoy Pakibilisan (her first published composition which became a campus and disco favorite in 1990), Sapat Sa Akin Lahat, Without Your Love and Goodtimes, Badtimes (for which Jo Anne produced a music video. It was aired in MTV Asia and Channel V's 'Sigaw Manila', and became one of its top 10 Asian music videos in 1993).

Musical Roots

Music has always been an integral element in the life of songstress Jo Anne Lorenzana. Her talent finds its roots from her maternal grandmother singer-stage-and-movie actress Naty Bernardo from the LVN/Sampaguita/Premier days. Her mom, Toots, was even set to be launched as Naty Jr., and though holding her own in the same art, chose to pursue a prominent corporate career. From her father's side, the Lorenzana's were also a very musical clan, where almost all of her father's siblings knew how to play the piano.

Early Interests

With constant exposure to music and the arts, it seemed almost inevitable for Jo Anne to enter the entertainment industry. However, Jo Anne had greater inclination in the creative process even at an early age. She started composing songs when she was eight years old. By age 12, she was fundamental in winning cheering competitions for her class, writing their winning cheers and handling squad choreography. In high school, she would continue to write songs, including background music, and play the guitar for class plays and projects. As a college freshman, she co-wrote a musical piece with a friend for an inter-level song competition in their college that would later win the 2nd place award for her class. Nevertheless, all these meant that Jo Anne would be more participative in the production and creative behind-the-scenes, off-stage process of artistic activities. Anything more low-key.

Providential

But God had other plans.. Though blessed with talent in her genes, Jo Anne's genuine interest in singing became more apparent only toward late-teens. A close friend and classmate was actually instrumental in nurturing her innate musical creativity through almost daily post-school jamming sessions in an improvised, home-based rehearsal venue. Yet by choice, her preference to be low-key always emerged and Jo Anne would be more willing to support others she deems have a chance to shine.

Fortunately, Jo Anne's mom transformed one of the rooms in their household into a music room made with reasonably adequate acoustical insulation and mood lighting, sufficient musical home equipment and a 'sing-along system, better known as the 'karaoke' machine. This later, opened the door for more significant musical expression that would move her from behind-the-scenes to centerstage.. What followed then were jamming sessions in family gatherings and popular lounges around Manila.

Discovered

What was most central to Jo Anne's entry into the Philippine Entertainment Industry was when cousins Joey & Lulu Avellana brought Jo Anne to famous composer-producer-manager Nonong [Dero] Pedero to audition to be a jingle/commercial vocal talent. Nonong soonafter became her first manager and composed her first hit song 'I'll Never Let You Go'.

Emergence in the Industry

In May 23, 1986, Jo Anne was formally launched in a concert billed as 'JoAnne: Her First Time', a joint venture of Nonong Pedero and her sister-producer Beth Lorenzana [Fonacier] who was later to manage Jo Anne in the next seven years. What followed was a successful streak of undertakings under her sister-manager Beth, who was mostly responsible for her aggressive progression in the industry: Joining Pepsi-Cola's New Generation Artists, where she performed all over the country with some of the most important names and proponents of OPM 80's music such as KENO, Raymon d Lauchengco, Gino Padilla, Timmy Cruz, to name a few. Then the release of her album with Vicor Music Corporation simply titled 'Jo Anne Lorenzana', a contract with a top teen modelling wear Cinderella's Seventeen for Gals, and print and television endorsement for Swallow Cosmetics. Jo Anne also had the opportunity to front act for popular international acts as 'Shakatak', 'Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine and Menudo.

Milestones

Among the cuts in her first album was an impressive revival of the nationalistic song, Bayan Ko, coincidentally a song also recorded by her grandmother Naty Bernardo during her time. Her grandmother even had fond memories of her rehearsal session with the song's noted composer, Constancio de Guzman. The revival version was produced by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company [PLDT] which won an award for the 'Best Institutional Ad' in the 1987 Philippine Advertising Congress , and in the following year won for Jo Anne the First Awit Awards' Best Revival Rendition in 1988.

Also in 1988, Jo Anne appeared in the rock Opera Florante at Laura, staged by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), where she played the lead role of Laura, and where she worked with stage veterans Audie Gemora, Tony Marino, Gina Wilson and Carlo Orosa.

In 1992, Jo Anne was selected as one of the official artists to campaign for then presidential bet Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, and Bayan Ko was always a campaign trail favorite. Jo Anne was subsequently asked to sing the same song in a revamped jazz-ethnic-revival version for his Inauguration as the 12th President of the Philippines.

The 80's & 90's were marked by much travelling and concerts around the country and abroad, which included trips in Southeast Asia, Japan, Guam, the U.S. and the Middle East. Participation in two international song festivals, namely the Fifth Asean Pop Song Festival in Singapore in 1988 with the entry song Here In My Life, and in 1989 at the First Asian Song Festival in Nagoya, Japan where she performed Langit Sa Mundo, also featured in her first album under Octo Arts EMI entitled 'Stronger Than Before'. A guest recording in 1989, for Malaysian singer-composer Matthias Gomez' self-titled album under E.M.I Malaysia, for two duets entitled 'Cinta Hatiku' and Rintik Cinta'.

New Beginnings

JoAnne is now based in San Francisco with her architectural designer-musician-producer-writer-actor husband Brant Blower. She and Brant completed a new album project that was released in the U.S. in 2009 and the Philippines in 2010. The album is aptly entitled "Between Seasons" which is a personal musical expression of her continuing journey in life highlighted by songs that represent her various experiences, emotions, faith and lessons through the years. The couple's very first composition, Beyond Ago is featured here in the website. An alternative-pop ballad with touches of soul. She continues to collaborate with family, her cousin Craig Abaya, who himself is a musical genius, set to launch his own CD venture soon; filmmaker Matthew Abaya and nephew Guji Lorenzana, who is pursuing his own career in the Philippines. "Between Seasons" also features collaborations with other artists, composers and musicians from the Filipino and international communities. Keep checking this website for regular updates on the album

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

MEMBER - ASCAP - since 2006
MEMBER - OPM (since 1986) ORGANISASYON NG PILIPINONG MANG-AAWIT;
(board of director: 1993 to 2009 - Public Relations Officer)

CORPORATE CAREER:
As part and parcel of Ms. Lorenzana's inherent corporate influence, the pursuit of public relations and marketing endeavors, she consequently held significant positions in two hotels in Manila, namely: Hyatt Regency Manila and Dusit Hotel Nikko as a Public Relations Manager & F&B Social and Promotions Manager, respectively.
Current Business Involvement: NeoMONDE Productions - Managing Partner - Marketing and Conceptual Development She currently offers services in light graphic conceptualization and design, and event management duties [For Inquiries contact: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ]

[ Back ]

42,590 visitors and counting!