Jorge has had a distinguished thirty year career in the pop/folk music genre and is widely known as the “Portuguese American King of Pop”. At the age of 7, he played trumpet and harmonica and later, he learned to play accordion. At the age of 12, Jorge Ferreira immigrated to the United States with his parents. Life was not easy for him. Jorge Ferreira attended Fall River schools and began working in a agriculture factory at the age of 16 and performed on the side for weddings and in clubs, to help his parents. He began to become integrated into a musical group in Fall River called “Banda de Nossa Senhora da Luz” and quickly his name spread everywhere. He sang English and Portuguese, and in a short time he became known in the U.S.A.’s Portuguese-American community. Later, one of the first Portuguese record companies in Fall River contacted him to record three songs in Portuguese. He signed a three year contract and the way to new frontiers was opened.… A new star was born!
Jorge Ferreira’s career started in 1972 at 17 years old. At this time, he was only an amateur and released several singles and maxi LP’s with his orchestra “Conjunto Venus”. In 1980, he signed his first true definitive contract with the American editor “Henda Records & Videos”, located in Mount Vernon, NY, at this time and he released the first album of his career “Amar Como Jesus Amou” (To Love Like Jesus Loved). He decided, at the same time, to sell his albums in Portugal and signed a contract with the editor “Metro-Som”, located in Lisbon. In 1983, he signed a new contract with another Portuguese editor “Radio Triunfo Internacional”, and he released the second album “Viva Fall River” (Live Fall River) which became a giant success, especially in the United States. He hit the top of Portugal’s charts with this hit song. At this time, Jorge Ferreira became a great star and a confirmed artist. In the same year, he released another album “Os Olhos De Minha Mãe” (The Eyes Of My Mother) containing the hit songs “O Pensar Dum Emigrante” and “Natal Duma Criança”. He began tio give many concerts in the USA.
Over the years, Jorge experienced many successes with hit songs, albums, and concerts. In 2001, he released a s new song “A Chupeta” (The Lollipop) which was well known in Portugal. In 2002, he worked with the famous Boston producer, Marc Soucy and released the album “Como Este Mundo Mudou” (As This World Moved). In 2003, Jorge Ferreira went to France to sign a contract with the French show production company “Nicky Lemos Productions. In 2004, he released the great album “As Velhas E Os Solteirões” (The Old Women And The Bachelors), which gave him the opportunity to perform in 3 large concerts in South Africa, at the prestigious Caesar’s Palace Gauteng of Johannesburg, becoming the first Portuguese artist to appear at this international music venue where artists such as Céline Dion performed. He created the Portuguese Music World’s official website and released his first DVD “Viagens” (Travels). Three months later, he performed for the “Katrina Event Benefit Concert”, a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser show, with an amazing lineup of several local and international artists including the Jordan Ferreira’s band “Mindwalk Blvd” raising a large sum of money to donate to the American Red Cross to help the hurricane victims and the city of New Orleans, LA.
In 2008, Ferreira performed at the musical worldwide trade show NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. He also performed in England, at one of the largest music venues of London, the Carling Academy Brixton. He participated in the first Portuguese Music Awards of America, the A.U.A. Awards Show, at the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Fall River. Ferreira won awards because ofhis two hit songs from his 2007 album “É Bom É Bom” : “Se Ela Encosta É Bom É Bom” (Best National Folk Song Award of the year) and “Deixa-me Ir Contigo” (Best Folksy Song Award of the year).
With the release of the album “Manel Aperta O Cinto” (Manuel, Pinch The Belt), Ferreira wanted to make an urgent appeal to the global financial crisis of 2008 which touches all countries of the globe. He speaks about the life of workers who experience daily difficulties and have an obligation to “pinch the belt systematically”, blending the nostalgic melodies of Portugal. On this call to democracy, Ferreira united several friends who agreed to lend their voices by participating in some songs. Featured artists are Portuguese singer/songwriter José Reza, Portuguese folk singer and accordionist Augusto Canário from the band, Augusto Canário e Amigos, and Portuguese Canadian female pop singer Jessica Amaro. The American people appreciated the musical work of this last album, which became a gold record in the U.S. two months after its North American release.
In 2009, Ferreira became the most nominated artist to the second Portuguese Music Awards of America, the A.U.A. Awards Show Gala II. He won 6 Awards, principally thanks to his triumphant and successful 2008 album, “Manel Aperta O Cinto”, “Parabéns”, (Best National Folk Song Award of the year), “Manel Aperta O Cinto” (Best Folksy Song Award of the year), “Velhas Com Canário E Jorge Ferreira” (Best Desgarrada Song Award of the year), “Ceia Do Emigrante” (Best Fado/Pop Song Award of the year),” Este Natal Santo” (Best Christmas Song Award of the year) and “Ao Vivo Em Ponte Da Barca” (Best Live Album of the year).
Presently, Jorge Ferreira is an author, songwriter, performer, musician, producer and graduate in musicology. He is still among the top 20 artists in Portugal and performs on about 40 records which includes 24 gold records, 8 silver records and 14 platinum records, and numbering about 600 songs written and recorded by himself. He is famous in all Portuguese-speaking countries and areas. He appears on the best worldwide stages. Sometimes, he is invited by the Americans to sing the Portuguese national anthem in the worldwide soccer championships, usually when the Portuguese National Team plays in the U.S.A. He is the most famous Portugese singer in the United States with more than 5 millions of sold records throughout the world.
The secret of the Jorge Ferreira’s success is his wonderful voice, his envious communicative talent with the public, his professional orchestra. His lyrics reflect all the sorrows, joys, nostalgias and loves of all the Portuguese immigrants in the world who, through these lyrics, search for a way to feel close to everything Portuguese. He mixes the American pop rock with the Portuguese National Folk music and the result is great. He sings in various musical styles, going through country, rock, pop, pop rock, ballads, reggae, dance, flamenco, Latin music, American folk, fado, Christmas songs, Portuguese National Folk and Portuguese folklore.
For further information: Ron@ ballaccord.com
