It’s a family affair!
A sibling revelry on stage intimately bonded by their innate sense of musicality, earnest commitment to their craft, compulsive dedication to entertaining people while simultaneously releasing every single sentiment and angst of their passion— yes, Virginia, they are the Band of Brothers!
Meet Gregorio (Jay-Jay) Lozano, Jr., Juan Carlos (JC) Lozano, Jose (Pepe) Lozano II, and the “Plus One” in the group, Nelson (Niel) Valero Manapat, collectively, The Band of Brothers … the sensational singing-playing group of three brothers (plus one) that has inevitably journeyed far and wide while having had serendipitously rendezvoused with noteworthy performances that pushed and escalated their fast-rising status even more.
Gone are the days of brotherly squabbles and drag-out bickerings, of relentless teasing and nonsensical derision, of indefensible bullying and inappropriate hounding, and of fruitless idleness and non-directional gallivanting… for if there’s but one common interest the Lozano brothers jointly focused in, that would be their love for music and their keen vision to succeed in the field.
Admittedly no longer teeny bopper idols but their music still pulsates with the same degree of indulgence while simultaneously leading listeners to a nostalgic journey down memory lane. The Band of Brothers’ brand of music is a vivid reminiscence of the 60s and the 70s rock and pop chart toppers: the years of boy bands and singing idols, the era when song lyrics were poetic and precise emotional expressions, the generation when singers were objects of idolatry more than just the songs, and the epochal period when male singers generally projected the boy-next-door types while their female counterparts built “the-right-girl-to bring-home-to-mama” images.
Believing in the efficacy of a uniquely attractive name with easy recall to branding, the Lozano brothers took the advantage of adopting “Band of Brothers,” (coincidental to an HBO TV mini-series back in 2001 with the same title) but they are legitimate sans copyright infringement. After all, they are true-to-life brothers that make up a band unlike their television counterpart where the title was merely coined for commercial purpose.
Organized on January 25, 2010 after a tumultuous battle for ownership of a band name where they originally started (together with classmates from La Salle), the Band of Brothers quickly chose their father, Gregorio Lozano, as their business manager and corporate adviser. Confidently armed with only a little over 30 songs in their initial repertoire, the group readily tackled their first gig with so much oomph and vibrancy that earned for them unprecedented raves and reviews… and the succeeding bookings were, needless to say, successful.
Actually, to give credit where it is due, this group has already released two albums when the Lozano brothers were still associated with their old band, the Bloomfield, which was produced by Chito Ilagan and released locally, “Bloomfields,” the debut album, and “Pasko Natin ‘To,” the second. It was JJ who composed Bloomfield’s carrier single, “Ikaw Ang Musika” (which the Concert King Martin Nievera recorded in his All OPM album). But, sadly, “…that episode was better thrown into oblivion!” according to the Lozano siblings.
Now that they have successfully revived an almost dwindling career, the Band of Brothers felt vindicated having good opportunities coming their way as they continue to master the art of delivering contemporary music and its stylistic elements that are reminiscent of the past.
And who wouldn’t be moved by or fall in love again with the retro music of The Cascades, Peter and Gordon, The Beachboys, Dave Clark Five, The Zombies, The Rolling Stones, The Lettermen, Herman’s Hermits, The Monkees, Spandau Ballet, and The Beatles? These and much more composed the long roster of ditties and selections the group has enormously mastered to the hilt.
What made them even more worth-listening was their impeccable vocal harmonizing. Their vocal blending was superbly in unison be it with instrumental accompaniment or rendered a capella. Having all singing members with distinct harmonizing level gave the Band of Brothers an edge over their local counterparts. One has to listen to the band’s own vocal interpretation of the Hotdogs’ original, “Manila,” or the Lettermen’s “The Way You Look Tonight,” or any of The Beatles’ hit and be petrified with the way they astoundingly render them effortlessly. Amazingly, vocal blending seems already second nature to the group.
Fueled by their common interest to play and perform, the band of Brothers is currently one of the most exciting fresh groups of talents to emerge not only in the local music scene but in some of the world’s capital cities. Slowly making its presence felt across the globe, following the band’s maiden overseas performances in Hong-Kong, Macau, Thailand, and other Asian key cities, the Lozano brothers has recently given New Yorkers a sample of what they have been known for —- world-class performances… dishing out nothing but only the best music of the 60’s and 70’s.
Last October 10, 2015 during PACCAL’s 23rd Founding Anniversary and Awards Night at the Ramada Plaza Hotel Newark, New Jersey, the talent-loaded group readily performed sans neither rehearsal nor musical instrument set-up before a mammoth crowd that proved their inherent capability to professionally execute their act even under pressure.
At the posh D’Haven Dance Pavillion and Restaurant in Woodside, Queens, New York, the Band of Brothers did their first ever east coast concert on Friday, October 16 before a filled-to-the-rafters audience… a week prior their slated performance at the Filipino American Festival, Inc. (FAFI) at the Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey last October 25.
Getting up-close and personal with the Band of Brothers:
Jose M. Lozano II / Pepe (lead guitar and vocals)
Seemingly born with a guitar for a twin, a pen for a rattle and vagitus that sounded like high-pitched singing, Pepe is a true-blooded Gemini-baby having first seen the light of day on the 13th of June, 1981 as Malba Masangkay and Gregorio Lozano’s first born. Innately creative and musically inclined, it was effortless for Pepe to transcribe into paper the vast composite of human emotions then finishing it off with the right melody and chord progressions…things he does in between practicing his Business Management and Advertising courses he obtained from La Salle and UST. A rara avis with inherently sociability, his sibling consider Pepe the band’s moral fiber and strong force to reckon with.
Gregorio Lozano, Jr. / Jay-Jay (bass guitar / drums / songwriter)
Born on February 12, 1985 under the Zodiac sign of Aquarius, this second born of the Lozanos is a La Sallista through and through having studied secondary and collegiate courses from the said religious institution founded by the De La Salle Christian Brothers from France. Ably armed with an Industrial Engineering course and supplemented by a Philippine Mass Media degree, Jay-Jay‘s love for music, particularly in songwriting, evidently manifested as early as during his childhood when he would squiggle notes and phrases while humming or buzzing. His prolific talent in composing and writing heartfelt lyrics originated from what he actually feels and pulsates from his heart. A virtuoso in plucking, slapping, popping, strumming, tapping, thumping, or picking with a plectrum or pick, Jay-Jay also plays drums.
Juan Carlos Lozano / JC (vocals and keyboards)
Towering with chiseled features and fair-skinned, one could mistake JC for a model than a band member.
This bedimpled 29-year-old keyboardist, (born August 29, 1986), doesn’t look his age and seemingly reserved. But don’t be easily deceived by his reticent personality for this youngest sibling of the Lozano brothers could be funky and playful once he’s already comfortable with you. JJ openly admits that he’s not really musically inclined (actually, he finished Culinary Arts with specialization in Pastry and Baking) but had to join his “Kuyas” (elder brothers) to complete the group and live up to its name. But after rigid rehearsals and series of well-received gigs, he became inspired and gradually perfected his vocal execution and finger skills.
Nielson Valero Manapat / Niel (drums and vocals)
Regarded as the “adopted” member of the band or the “Plus One,” Niel has had a wide range of band experiences before being recruited by the Lozano brothers. A Leo (born August 4, 1980) with a BS Physical Therapy degree neatly tucked under his sleeves, this versatile drummer is also a drama professor and music teacher at the Muzette Music Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The eldest among two children of Dr. Eloisa Valero Manapat (a dancer and pianist of the Valero clan of pianists) and Nicanor Legaspi Manapat (a singer-guitarist and a relative of Celeste Legaspi), it isn’t surprising that Niel’s destiny led him to Musiclandia.
They say: “The family that prays together stays together,” but in case of the Lozano brothers, it’s easy to conclude that: “Music isn’t only a universal language but a cohesive agent that binds people (specially siblings) even closer together.”
Here’s a trivia about the singing brothers: Do you know that when they’re not rehearsing or free from having scheduled performances, the brothers set aside their instruments and don on their apron, toque blanche or chef’s hat, or manage the cash register of SR Thai Cuisine, a family business, at 1229 V. Concepcion Street, Sampaloc, Manila (at the rear of the University of Santo Tomas)?
The Band of Brothers isn’t just your ordinary singing and playing band but literally a band of highly schooled professionals giving in to the whims and persuasion of their respective passions. With their innate musical talents, unabated enthusiasm, hard driven dedication, and keen focus, an international probability for stardom won’t be far from the offing.
My personal thanks to Vince Gesmundo of VYNNZ-NY Entertainment for setting the interview and to Miss Elvie Mercado Sanchez for bringing in the boys.
For comments and suggestions, please email: [email protected].
