Jorge Laureano – Bandleader, singer, songwriter, producer

Jorge began his musical career in the mid 1980’s working in Manhattan, NY as a recording engineer after graduating from the Audio Recording Technology Institute. He began working with R & B projects and some Rock & Roll bands before turning his focus entirely towards Latin Music. His first opportunity  working with Salsa music came by managing a local Long Island Salsa band. He later had the opportunity to work with another orchestra that was willing and also interested in his works as a songwriter. This gave him a chance to develop his writing skills and to continue to explore this wonderful musical genre.

It wasn’t long before Jorge sought out some of the best and highly regarded musical arrangers in the industry to enhance his own original compositions. The arrangers included, legendary pianist Sr. Luisito Cruz, bassist, Mr. Ray Martinez, percussionist Pablo “Chino” Nuñez and trombonist, Charlie Garcia. The combination between Jorge’s song lyrics and these new musical arrangements helped to incorporate his vision of a Salsa sound that would include old traditional rhythms, combined along with some of the contemporary sounds of today! He called his new orchestra...“ClaraSalsa”.

When it was finally time to enter the recording studio, Jorge set forth to produce the type of music he felt would bring on a new style and identity for his new group. He named the production…“Baila Con Ella”. His efforts were soon rewarded with critical acclaim from industry leading magazines, radio stations and DJ’s worldwide!

World-renowned DJ Henry Knowles included the CD “Baila Con Ella” on his selection list of the “2004 Top 20 SALSA CD’s of the Year”…

The online Latin Music store…“Descarga.com” selected the CD as the “Editor’s Pick”

Latin Beat Magazine wrote…”One of the best productions coming out of New York…”

XM Satellite radio station…”Caliente” listed the group at number “5” on their hit parade!

As an independent producer, Jorge has reached heights almost unheard-of, coming from someone not supported or affiliated with any major record labels.

In 2009, as a songwriter…Jorge competed in the International Songwriter’s Competition and was selected as one of 13 finalists, out of over 15,000 entries worldwide!

He now includes a fresh, new repertoire for his latest orchestra known as…FIESTA! This band continues to have much of the same High-Energy Salsa music he’s been known to produce…and now with a much more noticeable Bi-Lingual presence!