Moreno Brief Bio and partial accolades

 Latin Grammy Winner “Best New Artist“

  1. Anglo Grammy Nominated ”Best Latin Pop Album”
  2. Given the maximum “4 STARS” from: “Los Angeles Times” , “Miami Herald”, “San Antonio Times” “New Times”  as reviews to his music
  3. Nominated for “Premio lo Nuestro” (Univision) for “Best Video”  for song “Mi Sufrimiento”
  4. One of the top 10 videos of the year on MTV en Español, for his Self Directed “Mi Sufrimiento” video
  5. One of the first performers to sing in full Spanish on “GOOD MORNING AMERICA”
  6. Has been featured  2 CBS specials “ I Love Lucy Anniversary and One World Jam”
  7. Was spotlighted on Mun2 show “ A day with Jorge Moreno” and the episode was Nominated for a regional emmy award.
  8. Recorded “Satallite” and wrote the spanish version, “Nave Espacial” performed by Carlos Santana & Moreno, for the Miramax film ‘Havana Nights”

 

His music hints at 60's Brit-pop and the sound of the classic Latin crooners, jumps forward to alternative rock, electronica and then back again. There are crisp dance beats and lush tropical grooves. This is the world of singer songwriter Jorge Moreno.

He grew up in a mixture of both the American and Cuban cultures. Jorge was born in Miami and is the youngest of four siblings, whom all grew up surrounded by music. He says he learned a lot from his father, Tony Moreno, a respected veteran executive of the Latin music industry. "Not about writing songs or how to sing, but about the business," says Moreno.  “ I was exposed to show business at a very young age." While getting a taste of show business and Tropical music from his father, Moreno was also learning about 50's and 60's pop and rock from his mother, Melba. "She is a very big fan of Elvis, The Beatles and many more artists of that time and I came to love the music through her. "I'm an encyclopedia on 50's & 60's and 70’s pop and psychadelic music, very good on trivia….. I guess I've been an intense music devotee since I was a kid " , Moreno says.

After five years of making demos, EMI Music Publishing signed him as a songwriter, and then his music caught the ear of Madonna, whom ultimately signed him as the first latin artist to her then new Latin imprint Maverick Musica. Suddenly Jorge found himself working with top producers Lester Mendez, A.T. Molina and Andres Levin "each with a different personality, each doing different songs and it really turned out for the best," says Moreno.

The album launched Moreno into the spotlight and basically turned him into “an overnight press sensation” (as described by one reporter from the Miami Herald). The collection of songs on the album show Moreno’s’ delicate finesse for the art of songwriting and drew so much recognition he went on to receive countless amounts of critical praise and T.V. interviews , with performances ranging from “Good Morning America” to it’s Latin equivalent “Despierta America” and ultimately garnered him a Latin Grammy for “Best New Artist”. The following year he was also nominated for “Best Latin Pop Album” in the “Anglo Grammy’s” for that same album. The work included Moreno originals such as "Despertaré," his first single which was described by The New York Times as: “a pop ballad with an impassioned hook that should prove irresistible to young fans if it's given a chance at radio.” "Mi Sufrimiento" a pop song "with a Tropical twist," that got loads of attention when Moreno self produced and directed his own video, quickly launching it into the MTV (ES) TOP 10 and getting a nomination for a Univision award...as Jorge describes it.. “It’s funny how that video cost zero dollars to produce and was competing against videos that cost many, many thousands…I am a strong believer in mind over money.” After signing Moreno as the first member of Madonna’s new Latin family, the division grew rapidly, signing a total of 13 artists to the roster (an ambitious feat for a label of two years). Unfortunately, relations between the old Warner Music Group and Maverick started to sour on both the Anglo and Latin side. Madonna sold her part back to Warner which ultimately lead to the complete restructuring of the now imprint and the demise of it’s infant Latin counterpart. Moreno, still riding his wave of success wanted to avoid the merging tsunami’s and wisely asked to become a free agent. “I grew up understanding record company politics and have seen it destroy very talented people on both the executive and the artistic side. I’m’ just lucky enough to recognize it”. Soon after, he was contacted by The Carlos Santana camp to sing the opening track for the movie “Havana Nights” which was written by Santana and Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20). Flattered, Moreno agreed. He also continued to tour around the nation, gathering experiences and coming home to seclude himself in writing new material and to explore into other business ventures.

 “What sets Moreno apart from the typical artist is that he has a very strong sense for business but is a creative and prolific with his own artistic work, he’s got his head screwed on right and does not let the glitz and egos of this business affect him.”