JoAnne Lorenzana

JoAnne Lorenzana
Birth name	Joanne Geraldine O. Lorenzana
Born	(1966-02-14) 14 February 1966
Origin	Quezon City, Philippines
Genres	OPM, pop, jazz, easy listening
Occupation(s)	Singer, lyricist, writer, emcee
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Years active	1985–2000, 2009–present
Labels	Universal, NeoMONDE Productions
Website	www.joannelorenzana.com

Joanne Geraldine O. Lorenzana (born on February 14), known professionally as JoAnne Lorenzana, is a Filipina recording and performing artist, songwriter and former model, best known as an exponent of Original Pilipino Music in the mid-1980s to the 1990s. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines.

Biography

Lorenzana was discovered by Filipino composer-singer-manager Nonong 'Dero' Pedero in 1984, who soon took the young singer under his management, employing her talent for commercial jingles. Prior to Lorenzana's formal foray into local Philippine entertainment, she front-acted for international acts held locally, such as Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, Menudo (the former group of Ricky Martin) and the British jazz ensemble Shakatak. The following year, she was launched in a show billed as JoAnne: Her First Time to announce the entry of the pop artist into the music industry.

Lorenzana joined Pepsi's New Generation Artists, which featured 12 popular, new, up-and-coming singers. She also was contracted as a signature model of "CINDERELLA's Seventeen For Gals" among its 17 young models. In the succeeding years, as a singer-model, Lorenzana was contracted to promote a variety of products from jeans like Levi's, hair care products (e.g. Swallow Cosmetics), appliance lines (SONY and Hanabishi), and various new fashion signature brands (Cinderella).

In the course of her early years, Lorenzana also represented the Philippines in a few song festivals, namely the Fifth Asean Song Festival held in Singapore and the 1st ASIA Song Festival, held in Japan and aired on NHK channel. Moreover, she sang the nationalistic song "Bayan Ko" which she revived in 1987 for PLDT and won for her the 'Best Revival Recording' for AWIT AWARDS (the Philippines' version of the Grammys), the song she also performed back in 1992, during the inauguration of Fidel V. Ramos as the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Lorenzana has five albums to her credit. The latest is Between Seasons, which was recorded and mixed in the U.S., released under the NeoMONDE Productions label (c2009) and distributed in the Philippines under Universal Records Philippines Inc.. For almost all of 2010, Lorenzana was in Manila to promote her new album. She toured most of the northern part of the country promoting the singles "Beautiful" and "Technicolor", written by Andrei Dionisio. The tour was capped by a retrospective concert at the Dusit Thani Hotel Manila. Lorenzana joined Pepsi's New Generation Artists, which featured 12 popular, new, up-and-coming singers that included Raymond Lauchengco, Gino Padilla, Timmy Cruz, among others. She also was contracted as a signature model of "CINDERELLA's Seventeen For Gals" among its 17 young models. In the succeeding years, as a singer-model, Lorenzana was contracted to promote a variety of products from jeans like Levi's, hair care products (e.g. Swallow Cosmetics), appliance lines (SONY and Hanabishi), and various new fashion signature brands (Cinderella).[5] In the course of her early years, Lorenzana also represented the Philippines in a few song festivals, namely the Fifth Asean Song Festival held in Singapore[6] and the 1st ASIA Song Festival, held in Japan and aired on NHK channel.[7]  The festival in Singapore led to a guesting in a Malaysian Recording for the album of Malaysian Balladeer. Moreover, she sang the nationalistic song "Bayan Ko" which she revived in 1987 for PLDT and won for her the 'Best Revival Recording' for AWIT AWARDS (the Philippines' version of the Grammys),[8] the song she also performed back in 1992, during the inauguration of Fidel V. Ramos as the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

MUSIC in the Family

JoAnne attributes her singing to her musical genes, the first entertainer in her immediate family being her maternal grandmother [ [Naty Bernardo] ] who belonged to the Pre-War age of theatre and film that emerged in the Philippines. She was among the resident artists of LVN Studios and a frequent supporting character actress with Sampaguita Pictures and ‘’’Premier Productions’’’. Among her contemporaries on stage during her Vaudeville days were German Moreno and ‘’’Atang De La Rama”.

Her nice ‘’’Kylie Lorenzana-Fonacier’’’ daughter of her older sister and once former manager Beth Lorenzana-Fonacier, and her husband, music store pioneer Bambi Fonacier, has carried on the musical genes and is creating waves in the Fil-Canadian community in Vancouver.

JoAnne also collaborates with her American-born first cousin, Craig Abaya singing on the song "When Change Comes" from his alternative rock release The Fine Art of Politics and co-authoring the song "Will I Walk on Water" for his album One Bus to Mercy.

Recording History

Soonafter being signed up by her first label Vicor Music Corporation Following the release of her first hit single “I’ll Never Let You Go” penned by first mentor-manager Nonong Pedero, Lorenzana launched her maiden, self-titled album and in the course of her active singing career, she would complete five studio albums. Her last full album | CD entitled “Between Seasons”, released under the NeoMONDE Productions label (c2009) and distributed in the Philippines under Universal Records Philippines Inc.. For almost all of 2010, she was in Manila to promote her the album. She toured most of the northern part of the country promoting the singles "Beautiful", "Technicolor" written by Andrei Dionisio), and “Kung Kasama Ka”, her first collaboration with prolific songwriter Jimmy Borja. The tour was capped by a retrospective concert - “Between Seasons: A Celebration of Life and Love” at the Dusit Thani Hotel Manila.

Singer-Songwriter

Lorenzana began composing since she was eight years old. In school, she would contribute to class activities requiring songs yet opted to be behind the scenes. A full circle moment occurred when JoAnne moved to OCTO-ARTS-EMI Philippines where one of her compositions got published -- ‘’’ “Hoy, Pakibilisan”’’’ which was arranged by OPM colleague Ogie Alcasid and became a campus favorite in the early 90’s. Every succeeding album since 1989 would find a composition of hers among its released singles. Some of her published compositions include “Nais Ko”, “Tumawag Ka Lang” (her first published pop-gospel song) and her current single, a sophomore collaboration with sonwriter-friend ‘’’Jimmy Borja’’’.

Corporate Career

Possibly known by a few, from the years 1996 - 2005, Lorenzana worked in the hotel and restaurant industry while simultaneously active with her music career. She has served both as a social and promotions directress and a public relations manager for a couple of hotels in the Philippines and was a consultant to a number of restaurants and other business establishments.

Notable Performances & Recording Projects

Active Years 1986–2000

• 1986 - Launching Concert --‘’’ “JoAnne: Her First Time”’’’ - Light & Sound Theater, Makati (Phils) featured guests ‘’’Gino Padilla’’’, ‘’’John Lesaca’’’, ‘’’Keno’’’ and ‘’’Richard Merck’’’
• 1988 - First Major Concert --‘’’ “JoAnne: In High Spirits” ‘’’ (First Major Concert) - Rizal Theater, Makati (Phils) with guests Zsazsa Padilla, ‘’’Dingdong Avanzado’’’, ‘’’Carlo Orosa’’’, and ‘’’Whiplash’’’.
• 1988 – ‘’’ “The FIFTH ASEAN Music Festival” ‘’’ – Philippine Representative - Singapore
• 1988 - Guested on the album of Malaysian Balladeer ‘’’Mathias Gomes’’’ entitled ‘’’IDAH’’’, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• 1988 - ‘’’ “Florante at Laura” ‘’’ Pop-Opera Musical held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines - title role of “Laura” opposite theater stalwarts ‘’’Audie Gemora’’’, ‘’’Tony Mariño’’’, ‘’’Bimbo Cerrudo’’’, ‘’’Carlo Orosa’’’, ‘’’Nonie Buencamino‘’’, Gina Wilson’’’, ‘’’Jake Macapagal’’’, to name a few. Directed by ‘’’Nonon Padilla’’’, musical director ‘’’Nonong Buencamino’’’.
• 1989 – ‘’’ ‘’The First (1st) ASIAN Song Festival" ‘’’ – Philippine Representative - Nagoya, Japan

1990 - First Major Concert Series -- ‘’’ “JoAnne: Stronger Than Before” ‘’’ - Music Museum, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila with guests Nonoy Zuñiga, ‘’’Audie Gemora’’’, ‘’’Carlo Orosa’’’, ‘’’Jake Macapagal’’’ and directed by director and artistic genius ‘’’Freddie Santos’’’

• 1990 - “Babalik Ka Rin” performance in Sentosa, Singapore with ‘’’Randy Santiago’’’ and Ms. ‘’’Tessie Tomas’’’ - Singapore
• 1991 - ‘’’ “Kantawanan sa Amerika” ‘’’ US Tour with ‘’’Jam Morales’’’, ‘’’Raymond Lauchengco’’’, ‘’’Diomedes Maturan’’’, and legendary singer-comedian ‘’’Yoyoy Villame’’’
• 1991 - ‘’’ “Soul Sisters” ‘’’ Concert Series with ‘’’Carla Martinez’’’, ‘’’Felichi Pangilinan’’’, ‘’’Pinky Marquez’’’, the ‘’’Powerplay Band’’’ and special guests ‘’’Gary Valenciano’’’ and ‘’’Ray An Fuentes’’’.
• 1990 –‘’’ "Special Evening with Jo Anne Lorenzana" ‘’’ for the FEATI Group of Guam – Guam, U.S.A.
• 1992 - Guested on the Manila Concert of American iconic balladeer Jack Jones entitled ‘’’ “An Evening with Jack Jones’’’ - February 14, Manila Pavlion Hotel Ballroom
• 1992 - Part of the touring roster of artists for the Presidential campaign of Fidel V. Ramos together with ‘’’George “Dyords” Javier’’’, ‘’’Gary Lising’’’, ‘’’Bimbo Cerrudo’’’ among others (key cities of the Philippines)
• 1992 –‘’’ "Summer Holiday Concert" with OPM composer and stalwart ‘’’Rey Valera’’ at the Queen Elizabeth , Hong Kong
• 1992 – ‘’’ "Great Performers" ‘’’ Concert Series – October – with Willie Nepomuceno –

Abu Dhabi & OMAN, U.A.E.

• 1992 – ‘’’ "Linggong Pinoy" ‘’’ – with ‘’’Aga Muhlach’’’, ‘’’Raymond Lauchengco’’’, ‘’’Rey Valera’’’ & ‘’’Yoyoy Villame’’’, directed by ‘’’Roxanne Lapus’’’ -- World Trade Center Stadium, Singapore
• 1996 – ‘’’Philippines Independence Day Celebration’’’ with ‘’’Willie Nepomuceno’’’ & ‘’’Carlo Orosa’’’ – Papua New Guinea
• 1992 - Back-to-Back Concert with Randy Santiago at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hongkong
• 1993 - “An Evening with Joe Mari Chan” as Special Guest in one of his tour destinations - Butuan City Stadium
• 1994 - “A Tribute to Romance” Back-to-Back Concert Series with ‘’’Dingdong Avanzado’’’ and ‘’’Archie Castillo’’’ as musical director - Manila Mandarin Hotel
• 1995 - “Ogie Alcasid at the Luneta” with co-resident artists under Premier Productions Dingdong Avanzado, Rannie Raymundo, Viktoria and The KYX Dancers - Luneta Grandstand, Manila

1997 - 1998 - “Tribute to Love” Provincial Series held in Laguna, Cebu, Leyte, Zamboanga (Philippines) produced by Pillar Management & Productions

• 1998 – ‘’’ "Thanksgiving Blast" ‘’’ – November – with Ruffa Guitterez & ‘’’Magellan’’’ a.k.a. Jolly Balbas – Renaissance Hotel Ballroom, Dallas, Texas (US)
• 1998 - 1999 - ‘’’ “Tribute to the Queens of Jazz” ‘’’ Hotel Series held in hotels throughout Metro Manila namely Century Park Sheraton Hotel, Manila Mandarin Hotel, Diamond Hotel, Manila Midtown Hotel, and the Reverie Hotel (with guest appearance in the performances of ‘’’Jun Polistico’’’ and the late ‘’’Rico J. Puno’’’).
• 1999 & 2000 - Valentine Series Performances which began at the Century Park Hotel Ballroom in a show billed as ‘’’ “Valentine Moods with JoAnne Lorenzana and the Nonoy Lopez Band” ‘’’ - Manila

Recent ventures

2005-2010

Following a personal decision to take a break from music to focus on her corporate career, JoAnne kept a quinquennial vow (occurring every five years) to perform and presented shows at the Hyatt Regency Manila in 2005 entitled ‘’ “‘Love Songs & Memories” ‘’’.

2010 at the Dusit Hotel Nikko (now Dusit Thani Hotel) for a concluding performance billed as “A Celebration of Life & Love” succeeding a Luzon promotional tour for her album ‘’’ “Between Seasons” ‘’.  Then in 2015, She had a concert at the famed school and venue California Jazz Conservatory,[12] better known as the ‘’’JAZZSCHOOL’’’.  Her first Bay Area one-woman show since 2002 (when she had a solo concert at the ballroom of the Clarion Hotel) billed as ‘’’ "ORIGINS: JoAnne Lorenzana" ‘’’. The concert showcased her jazz roots and her subsequent musical influences that include Ella Fitzgerald, Randy Crawford, Julia Fordham, Anita Baker, Oleta Adams & Patti Austin.

Upcoming

A follow-up digital single and an EP album is in the works that will include her current digital release ‘’’ “My Everyday Valentine” ‘’’ * “My Everyday Valentine” on YouTube and a previous release entitled ‘’’ "New Year's Day" ‘’’ which is still available through ‘’’Apple Music’’’.

Discography

Year	Album title and singles	Recording company
1988	Jo Anne Lorenzana (self-titled debut album) "I'll Never Let You Go" ("Most Requested Song" Award in 1987; eight weeks in the No. 1 slot nationwide) "YOU" "Kung Alam Mo Lang" "Back in Your Arms" ("Most Requested Song" Award in 1989) "Bayan Ko" (revival) – special tri-media release (non-single)	Vicor Music Corporation
1989	Stronger Than Before "Daydreaming" "Hoy! Pakibilsan" "Without Your Love"	OctoArts International Philippines
1991	Kailan Pa Man "Pigil na Pigil" "Nais Ko" "Sapat Sa Akin Lahat"	OctoArts/EMI Philippines now PolyEast Records
1994	Joanne Lorenzana (Hits Collection) "Goodtimes, Badtimes" (first single with a music video aired on MTV Asia (now known as MTV Southeast Asia )	OctoArts/EMI Philippines, now PolyEast Records
2009	Between Seasons (U.S. release) "Beautiful" "Technicolor" "You're Hiding" "Look of Love"	NeoMONDE Productions
2010	Between Seasons (Philippines) "Beautiful" "Technicolor" "Kung Kasama Ka"	Universal Records Philippines (Phils.) - Distribution only
2015	New Year's Day (U.S. release) Digital Release	NeoMONDE Productions
2021	My Everyday Valentine (U.S. release) Digital Release “My Everyday Valentine” on YouTube	NeoMONDE Productions

References

• Phil. Star article – December 2009 "JoAnne Lorenzana sets mall tours | Manila Bulletin". Mb.com.ph. January 22, 2010. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
• Manila Standard article – March 2010 Red, Isah V. "Manila Standard Today – Networks cashing in on summer – 2010/march/26". Webcache.googleusercontent.com. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
• Valentine issue – Asian Journal February 2009 "WebPaper loading". Asianjournal.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
• Valentine article – notes on Philippine celebrities (February celebrants) February 2009 "Full of Heart". www.philstar.com. January 3, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
• Interview for Wordsworth section – Phil. Star – January 17, 2010 Mons Romulo-Tantoco (January 17, 2010). "What's Your Favorite Book?". www.philstar.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.

External links

• http://www.joannelorenzana.com/music
• OPM official website