October 6, 2022 | 00:00
Filipino-American musical director, songwriter and performer Troy Laureta has worked with international artists such as David Foster, Stevie Wonder, Andrea Bocelli, Steven Tyler, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Rita Ora and Nicole Scherzinger, for to name a few. .
For a decade, Troy first made his mark on the international stage. It took him some time to make a name for himself in the local musical arena. But when he did, Troy certainly didn’t just wow his fellow artists. Even the local public too.
“I’m Troy Laureta,” he humbly introduced himself to his audience at the start of the East Meets West concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport World Resorts.
Starting out on the international stage, where he worked as a musical director for a number of high-profile artists, Troy performed for the first time in a major concert on the local stage and showed off the talents with which he was blessed. .
As familiar strains of Kapantay ay Langit played in the background, Troy wasted no time playing keyboards with admirable energy. In a red fire truck cape that made him stand out on stage with his five-member band, he excitedly urged the crowd, “Make some noise, Manila.”
Regine Velasquez and Jed Madela quickly emerged on stage and dueted Magkasuyo Buong Gabi, a heavily covered Pilipino Original Music (OPM) piece originally recorded by Rico J. Puno and Elisa Chan. Regine also did her reimagined version with Janno Gibbs.
Last year, Troy played keyboards when American Idol season two champion Ruben Studdard recorded the hit OPM with Canadian singer-songwriter Deborah Cox.
During the East Meets West concert, Troy worked not only with local talent, but also with international artists. He has shown Filipino fans how he has wowed overseas audiences in the past, which has made him a name to be reckoned with in the music scene.
“It’s a surreal dream come true for me,” Troy said earlier of his first live performance in Manila. Previously, he simply mentored Star Magic performers.
Having local artists share the stage with international artists was a brilliant catch for this rare concert. The public had the chance to appreciate the performances of the artists.
Jona set the stage on fire and sang Bang Bang. Then, she returned to render Troy’s haunting composition, Someone To Love Me.
Jed, meanwhile, had his spot numbers – You Are My Song and Earth, Wind and Fire’s After the Love Has Gone – where he admitted to feeling the jitters on stage. “It’s a little intimidating to be in front of you tonight,” Jed said. “You have to understand, we haven’t been performing live on stage in front of an audience for a long time.”
Loren Allred, the voice of Never Enough in The Greatest Showman, delivered a heartbreaking take on Ryan Cayabyab’s Araw Gabi, which had the audience cheering and others even giving him a standing ovation.
Likewise, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Matt Bloyd sang his version of JR’s Bakit Pa Ba, the first Tagalog song he learned that was sure to thrill the crowd. Surely even JR would definitely be proud.
Miss Saigon artist Tanya Manalang (who played Kim in the UK) joined Troy and distributed I Wanna Dance With Somebody, along with her version of Martin Nievera’s popular ballad Kahit Isang Saglit.
Troy’s younger sister, Cheesa, shared the spotlight that night with him. They made Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Proud Mom, who came from the West Coast of the United States, was in the audience that night.
“Our dad wanted us to be a nurse or a doctor,” Troy explained. “But we left (Oahu) Hawaii where we were born, went to LA (Los Angeles) and both pursued music.”
Apparently, the siblings have never looked back since then. Cheesa, who reached the US quarter-finals of The Voice in 2012, wowed audiences with her stratospheric reach singing Chaka Khan’s Through the Fire and Jessa Zaragoza’s Bakit Pa.
At one point in the concert, Troy paid tribute to David Foster, with whom he worked for a decade touring internationally. With Adah Leosala, she sang Whitney Houston’s greatest hits, I Have Nothing and I Will Always Love You, both written by Foster.
Guest Ogie Alcasid appeared on stage and amused the audience as he barely sang Nandito Ako as the crowd sang it for him.
Ogie proudly sang Huwag Mo Kong Iwanan, his first collaboration with Troy. True, Ogie did not like the song he wrote. Still, he got the biggest surprise when Troy returned the melody to him and he heard it.
Troy served as the show’s musical director, with Paolo Valenciano conducting the two-night concert. The five-member band on stage included veteran musician Adonis Tabanda.
To close the concert, Troy proudly called Regine back on stage, who sang Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw and finished with Pangako. “She inspires singers and musicians all over the world, including me,” Troy said of Regine.
“The way this woman tells a story, from the smallest whispers to her biggest belts, she destroyed my soul, lifted my spirits and destroyed everything again with her soul, her spirit and her gift. Sharing the stage with Regine is like coming full circle for me. Before, I only sang his songs in my room.
Troy’s two-night concert in Manila allowed Filipino fans to embrace his music. He generously played for them. His talent should not go unnoticed locally.
