Singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer Chris Urquiaga, also known as JChris, is lauded for his exciting performance energy and smooth voice. Hailed as “…the next big thing” by Metro Weekly magazine, this Latin pop virtuoso is internationally recognized for his pop compositions which are laced with Latin, Afro, and Brazilian influences. His music is influenced by his Brazilian and Peruvian heritage, and explores themes of gender fluidity and queer culture.
Performance highlights in Urquiaga’s career include performing in March 2023 at Carnegie Hall along with Grace Chorale of Brooklyn for which he is also assistant conductor, singing in a televised PBS special with Patti LaBelle and Gloria Gaynor in April 2023, a performance at the White House for President Barack Obama and The First Lady, headliner for Latin Music Night at 54 Below, and headliner for the 2022 ¡Presente! Latino Heritage Festival Concert at the new Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino, to name a few.
His music as urban Latin artist, JChris, has achieved over 2 million views on YouTube, over 500,000 streams on Spotify, international concert touring and music video productions. His single "Caliente" featured chart-topping Latin music superstar, Naldo Benny, and was filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Urquiaga thoroughly enjoys collaborating with a variety of artists from the US and abroad. 2023 collaborations include Lomaasbello from Bogotá, Colombia, Den$o from Medellín, Colombia, and Nilton De La Cruz from Lima, Perú. Other career highlights for Chris include his work as artistic director of Congressional Chorus in Washington, DC from 2020-2021 and as a music teacher at Saint Ann's School in Brooklyn Heights since 2021.
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