Lloyd: Why he left for the States

It has been a long-standing family mythology that he developed his lung power when he was still very young. As a cry-baby in the real sense of the word, he would bawl for hours and hours whenever he wanted anything and continued howling even after he already got whatever it was he wanted. But the truth of the matter is that the musical prowess of Lloyd Umali comes from the genes: He is the grandson of composer Restie Umali of Saan Ka Man Naroroon fame and the son of a former member of the Juan de la Cruz band, an institution in the local rock music scene.

Lloyd clearly recalls that in family gatherings attended by extremely musically talented relations, one should be prepared to perform impeccably to avoid heckling from one’s own kin. At the age of six, an older cousin who was already rising as a singer in his own right gave him a tape of James Ingram which he studied by heart. This sharing of music expanded to Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight and Michael Mcdonald. The same cousin gave him an album of Michael Bolton whose musical nuances Lloyd mastered and for which reason he later was touted as the Michael Bolton of the Philippines, no mean feat in itself. With influences from these musical greats, Lloyd emerged with his own style, ready to perform any genre of music. His real edge over other artists was the fact that he was confident and convincing in any kind of music — be it pop, rock, R&B, Pinoy ballad (remember Lloyd’s award-winning Bakit Kung Sino Pa?), or even gospel music. In 1994, he deservingly won Awit Award’s Best Male Artist.

Several years ago, Lloyd’s mom left for the US and soon thereafter, Lloyd found himself with a green card and had to stay in the US for long periods of time. Having studied Nursing (yes, Nursing!), he worked as a Laboratory Aide in New Jersey, trying to forget completely who he was and what he loved to do... Until he was dragged by fellow Filipinos to musical joints where they would ask him to jam for a song or two... Until he saw for himself that even Americans (whether whites, blacks or Hispanics) were all in awe of his talent and would wildly cheer whenever he performed... Until he finally decided that, indeed, he wanted to sing again.

Every now and then, Lloyd would be back in the country for special projects and I was most fortunate to have been able to catch him at the Manila Pavilion Hotel Casino Filipino for its very special Mother’s Day show. It was a superb one hour concert of songs popularized by the likes of Luther Vandross, Brian Adams, James Ingram and Michael Bolton. Lloyd, with his great voice had minus one as accompaniment. And yet to the audience, it felt like there was a live backup band as the songs were beautifully arranged and the musical direction was superb.

 As I went to congratulate the organizers and Lloyd Umali himself, I came to understand the reason for the impressive sound. Arturo Umali, father of Lloyd, and son of Restie Umali, was the musical arranger (who tailored to Lloyd the soundtrack of recorded music), the sound technician and the musical director of the show. It all runs in the family, indeed.

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