Jorge Ferreira | en

Born in February 5th, 1955 at 3:00 AM, in the parish of Ajuda da Bretanha, in São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal), Jorge Oliveira Ferreira is a Portuguese-American International Recording Artist, singer and songwriter, musician, producer and businessman. Also known as the "U.S.A.'s Portuguese King of Pop", he is the President and founder of "Portuguese Music World", the world's most famous Portuguese record company. Jorge Ferreira lives in the United States since the age of 12, and currently resides in the town of Westport, Bristol County, Massachusetts (approximately 60 miles/97 km south of Boston).

Became famous in the early 80s thanks to the hit song "Papai" which is Portugal's 5th best selling single of all time in the Top 10 Best Selling Singles of All Time from Portugal's charts with over 1,200,000 sold copies, awarded with numerous Gold and Platinum Records around the world, Jorge Ferreira is the most famous Portuguese singer of the United States and the Portuguese Music's International Ambassador.

In Portugal, Jorge Ferreira is the 4th best selling Portuguese recording artist of all time in the Top 16 Best Selling Portuguese Recording Artists of All Time from Portugal's charts with over 6,000,000 records sold, behind Amália Rodrigues (1st, with 30,000,000), Roberto Leal (2nd, with 17,000,000), and Linda de Suza (3rd, with 8,000,000), and in front of other famous Portuguese artists such as Marco Paulo (5th, with 5,000,000), Tony Carreira (6th, with 4,000,000), Dulce Pontes (7th, with 3.5,000,000), Mariza (11th, with 1,000,000), and Pedro Abrunhosa (12th, with 800,000). From the Top 10 Best Selling International/Stranger Recording Artists of All Time from Portugal's charts, Jorge Ferreira is in front of other famous international singers and bands such as Julio Iglesias (1st, with 5,000,000), Roberto Carlos (2nd, with 1.5,000,000), Daniela Mercury (4th, with 1,000,000), ABBA and Pink Floyd (both 5th, with 650,000), The Beatles and Madonna (both 6th, with 600,000), Shakira, Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli, and Michael Jackson (all 8th, with 500,000), and Nelly Furtado (10th, with 100,000).

Along the years, Jorge Ferreira acquired a big popularity worldwide, and mostly in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, South Africa, Venezuela, Australia, United Kingdom, France and Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores.

Jorge is the youngest of six children of Francisco Ferreira and Maria Rosa Ferreira. From an early age, he showed interested in music and enrolled in the local marching band when he was in elementary school. He quickly mastered the harmonica and trumpet. At the age of 12, Ferreira immigrated to the United States with his parents, in the city of Fall River, MA, leaving in Portugal five brothers who only later will have come to keep company to the rest of the family.

Life in America was tough at first. 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, helping his parents to yield the household's budget. These difficult times proved worthwhile however, because this side of the Atlantic afforded Ferreira the opportunity to foster his passion for music. What makes his story different, however, is that despite being raised in a Portuguese household in Fall River for many years, he was unable to speak or write the language well.

In 1972, at the age of 17, Ferreira joined various musical groups and bands in Fall River as a musician and singer such as "Banda Santo Cristo", "Banda de Nossa Senhora da Luz" (Our Lady of Light Band, known as one of the best amateur marching bands in the United States), "Jaywalkers", American country band "Sunrise, Sunset", his first owned band called "Vibrations", and later the most known "Conjunto Venus" and "Conjunto Mars". Soon, the name Jorge Ferreira was everywhere. Those were the days of dancing, evenings in clubs, halls and church halls. The “boy from Bretanha” sang in English and Portuguese, and gradually his voice earned time and space in the evenings of thousands of Portuguese on this side of the Atlantic. This year, Ferreira signs a contract with the American label “Sky Records” and records in studio for the first time of his career. He releases a 45 RPM record entitled "O Cançonetista que Também é Fadista" (The Lyricist who is Also Fadist), including the first single "Paizinho Sonhei Contigo" (Daddy I Dreamed of You). The next years, he releases several other 45 RPM singles with different American labels, such as "Sonho do Lar" (1973 - Space Records), among others.

In 1979, with "Conjunto Mars", Ferreira releases the first album of his career entitled "Mars". This first record includes Portuguese songs, but also American popular songs covered by Ferreira. It knew a small success.

In 1980, the "Henda Records & Video", which was one of the first Portuguese record labels in Fall River, contacts Ferreira to make three recordings in Portuguese, but only when Ferreira proved he could sell out halls and theatres, and sell records by the thousands, which he agreed upon for a price. The challenge won, Ferreira signs a three years contract opening the way to new frontiers. A new star was born... Ferreira releases the second album of his career "Amar Como Jesus Amou" (To Love Like Jesus Loved). He decides at the same time to sell his albums in Portugal, so he signs a contract with the Portuguese label "Metro-Som".

Ferreira continued to work with Henda Records in America and released 4 EPs from 1981 to 1983 : "Viva Fall River" (Live Fall River), "As Moças da Minha Aldeia" (The Girls of my Village), "Quando Vai Chegar a Paz" (When the Peace will Arrive), and "Viva, Viva New Bedford" (Live, Live New Bedford).

In 1983, Ferreira signs a new contract with another Portuguese label "Rádio Triunfo Internacional", and he releases the third album "Viva Fall River" (Live Fall River) which becomes a giant success, especially in the United States. He hit the top of Portugal's charts with this hit song which gives the name of this album. At this time, Ferreira becomes a great star and a confirmed artist, and all America knows who he is. In the same year, he releases another album "Os Olhos de Minha Mãe" (The Eyes of My Mother) containing the hit songs "O Pensar Dum Emigrante" and "Natal Duma Criança". Ferreira performed in the four corners of the United States to promote this album.

In 1984, Ferreira releases the album "Baile dos Passarinhos" (Chicken Dance), containing the hit song "Chau".

In 1985, Ferreira releases the album "Papai" (Daddy) in which he sings the principal song in duet with his daughter Alison Ferreira, who later will appear on other albums. This song becomes an amazing success in the U.S.A., and in Portugal, he is invited by Carlos Cruz in the TV show "Um, Dois, Três" to perform it. At the end of the song, Ferreira arouses an incredible standing ovation, and afterwards an impresario from the Portuguese show production company "Audição" contacts him to sign a contract. For the first time, Ferreira has the opportunity to make concerts in Portugal. The concerts are on the increase in the four corners of the country and his popularity in Portugal is increasing day after day. In the same year, he releases the album and the mega hit song "Carro Preto" (Black Car). The song talks about a betrayed man cause of the color of his car. The "Black Car" goes round the world and with this album, Ferreira becomes a legend in the United States, and in Portugal, all people listen only him.

In 1986, Ferreira leaves Rádio Triunfo Internacional and signs a new contract with the label "Movieplay Portuguesa", and he releases the album "Mãe Já Partiste" (Mom You Passed Away), in homage to his mother deceased this year. In the same year, he signs a second contract of one year with another Portuguese label "DiscoNorte". He releases the album "O Sol Ainda Está Fora" (The Sun is Still Out).

In 1987, Ferreira releases the album "Sonho Desfeito" (Drawn Dream). This album tells more or less the Ferreira's life.

In 1988, Ferreira leaves Fall River with nostalgia and moves to live in Westport, MA, with wife and children. He build a computerized recording studio in the basement of his new home, without name for the moment. He releases the album "Não Há Gente Como A Gente" from a fan's sentence immigrated in Venezuela who, after a show, embraced the artist and, touched, exclaimed : "NÃO HÁ GENTE COMO A GENTE" ! ("THERE AREN'T ANY PEOPLE LIKE US !") This album is an incredible success with his hit songs "Bacalhau", "Ao Calor do Sol", the Spanish songs "25 Rosas" and "Carro Negro" (the "Black Car" in Spanish) and "Carro Branco" (White Car), the continuation of the "Black Car" with a contrary story. The song "Não Há Gente Como A Gente" is a dedication to all Portuguese people immigrated worldwide.

In 1989, Ferreira leaves Movieplay Portuguesa and signs a contract with the label "Ovação Nacional". He names his computerized recording studio "City Limit Track" and writes and composes any songs for other Portuguese artists. Some new musicians make their appearance in Ferreira's albums and shows. One of them, the guitarist José Ernesto Barros, will become Ferreira's right-hand man, producing and arranging some albums, and performing in all live concerts. Ferreira releases the album "Deixei Meu Coração em Portugal" (I Left my Heart in Portugal) which becomes an immediate success, and then he is invited in many Portuguese radios in America and Portugal, and in other countries. During the year, Ferreira performed in a large South African tour.

In 1990, Ferreira releases the album "Olhos Verdes" (Green Eyes), changing a little his musical style.

In 1991, Ferreira releases the album "Recordar" (To Remember) containing the hit songs "Portugal Não Dorme no Verão" and "O Camião".

In 1992, Ferreira releases the successful album "Regresso Prometido" (Promised Return), produced with the New England producer Paulo Sardinha, which is the most pop album, without any folksy song.

In 1993, Ferreira leaves Ovação Nacional and signs a contract with one of the most famous record companies in Portugal, "Espacial Música". Francisco José Carvalho, the President of this company, becomes his new artistic manager in Portugal. Ferreira releases the album "Nos Arraiais" (In the Villages), containing the hit song "Mãe". He starts to invite some American musicians in his albums, and for this one, he has invited the saxophonist Paul Weddle and the famous trumpet player John Allmark. The result is remarkable.

In 1994, Ferreira releases the album and the amazing song "Era Pouco e Acabou-se" (It Was Little and it Finished). With this project, he adopts the country music in some compositions. All the 10 songs are great, especially the flamenco song "Flamengo de Perdição", inspired by a travel in Spain. Thanks to this album, Ferreira makes a giant tour in Australia. Five months later, he releases his first Christmas album "Canta Natal" (Sing Christmas) in which his two daughters, Alison and Elizabeth Marie Ferreira perform some songs in lead and backing vocals.

In 1995, Ferreira becomes the U.S.A.'s Portuguese King of Pop and releases the album "Prova de Amor" (Proof of Love).

In 1996, after 16 years of success, Ferreira leaves his American label Henda Records & Video with thanks and congratulations from the President Henrique Galvão, but the company continues to distribute his albums. He creates his own record company in Dartmouth, MA, the "Portuguese Music World", with the sole objective of lowering the prices of Portuguese music in the markets of U.S.A. and Canada, and to support the local Portuguese artists who now have a wider distribution of their products. He becomes producer and produces many Portuguese and American artists. He releases the album and the successful song "A Portuguesa é a Mais Linda" (The Portuguese Woman is Most Beautiful). The sales of this album are very good. All songs are written and composed by Elizabeth Marie Ferreira, who will play an important function in the continuation of his father's career.

In 1997, Ferreira releases the romantic album "13 de Maio na Cova de Iria" (May 13 in The Irene's Cove) and celebrates his 25 years of career. "As Biatas" is the hit song of this album. Five months later, he releases his second Christmas album "Natal em Família" (Christmas in Family) and invites in backing vocals his last child and first son, Jordan Ferreira, who will be promoted to a splendid future.

In 1998, Ferreira releases the album "Revelações do Milénio" (Revelations of the Millenium), arranged with the local musician Joel Hiller, present in keyboards on the previous album. A new musician makes his appearance on this album, the bass player Roberto Bettencourt, who is the father of Donovan Bettencourt (bass player on the albums "Prova de Amor" and "Era Pouco e Acabou-se", and member of the band Mourning Widows) and the brother of the international artist Nuno Bettencourt (now became Rihanna's live guitarist) of the band DramaGods and Mourning Widows, and of the old band Extreme. Roberto will become indispensable in Ferreira's concerts.

In 1999, Ferreira releases the album "Açoriano de Raíz" (Azorean of Root). He has invited his daughter Alison Ferreira to record the hit song "Papai 15 Anos Depois" which is the old hit song "Papai", 15 years after, with alternate lyrics.

In 2000, Ferreira stops his career during two years and takes advantage of the family happiness. He releases the best of "Eu Voltarei" (I Will Come Back), containing two reprises on new instruments. Elizabeth Marie Ferreira starts a solo singer career and releases an EP entitled "Chuva de Beijos" (Rain of Kisses). Her artist's name is Liz Marie.

In 2001, Ferreira releases the best of and the new song "A Chupeta" (The Lollipop) which is very claimant as a song. In Portugal, he signs a contract with the show production company "Palcos Brandão", led by António and Sérgio Brandão, in order to perform some concerts in the most distant areas of the country.

In 2002, Ferreira works with the famous Boston producer Marc Soucy and he releases the album "Como Este Mundo Mudou" (As This World Moved). He has invited the local pianist and songwriter Richard London. Marc Soucy gives to this successful album his American pop influences, so of all, this is the most Americanized album. One of these influences is the song "Minha Segunda Mãe" which refers to September 11th, 2001.

In 2003, Ferreira releases the album "Vem Agosto, Vem Agosto" (Come August, Come August), recorded in Meaux, France, in which he has invited the French band "Malaca Trio" composed by Jean-Marc Debat (guitar), Sébastien Blanche (bass) and Sylvie Morais (vocals). Produced with Ferreira's European live keyboardist Serge Fernandes, this album is very original and becomes the most folksy album, with his frenzied latin rhythms.

In 2004, Ferreira releases the great album "As Velhas e os Solteirões" (The Old Women and the Bachelors). His son Jordan Ferreira becomes member of the progressive/fusion rock band "Mindwalk Blvd", playing electric guitar, and he plays it on this album. The Malaca Trio comes back on this album, recorded in Westport, MA (U.S.A.) and in Meaux (France). Ferreira creates his official website in which some albums are on sell, and he expands little by little on the web. The Portuguese Music World, studying the Portuguese markets, comes to an agreement with two major national record labels. Vidisco and Espacial are the two major record companies that Portuguese Music World has partnered up with. These two leading labels agree that Portuguese Music World represents them in the United States and Canada, chopping prices on their entire inventory.

In 2005, Ferreira releases the album "Bendito Seja Agosto" (Blessed Be August), produced with Serge Fernandes and the famous Portuguese producer Ricardo Landum, recorded in Pontinha (Portugal) and in Westport, MA (U.S.A.), and in which performs Jordan Ferreira and the Portuguese trumpet player Miguel Gonçalves. He creates the Portuguese Music World's official website managed by Elizabeth Marie Ferreira, and he releases the DVD "Viagens" (Travels). Three months later, he performs at the restaurant "Venus de Milo" in Swansea, MA, for the "Katrina Event Benefit Concert", a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser show, with an amazing lineup of several local and international artists including Jordan Ferreira's band Mindwalk Blvd. At the end of the event, they total $32,000, to donate to the American Red Cross to help the hurricane victims and the city of New Orleans, LA. Two months later, Ferreira releases his third Christmas album "Natal com Jorge Ferreira e Família" (Christmas With Jorge Ferreira and Family), which is a Christmas best of containing 3 new songs, and in which sing his two daughters and his son, who plays also.

In 2006, Ferreira releases the album "Meu Coração Bate Por Ti" (My Heart Beats For You) produced with Nelson Moreira and recorded in Fall River, MA. The local female singer Nélia and Alison Ferreira perform together in backing vocals. In October, his long time friend and singer Jack Sebastião dies of a heart attack. He had sung in duet with him the song "Jorge Ferreira e Jack Sebastião à Desgarrada", from the last album.

In 2007, Ferreira releases the successful album "É Bom é Bom" (It's Good It's Good). He has worked very hard and has given the best of himself for this project. The album is very folksy and joyful, and incites people to dance. His son Jordan Ferreira has given a lot of his time to this album, so he plays electric guitar in the orchestra. Fall River's producer Nelson Moreira is come back and has contracted some local musicians. The local female singer Nélia is also come back in backing vocals. The tracklist is very interesting, and in particular two songs. The first, "Olhos Risonhos", is a reprise of the old hit song "Olhos Tiranos", in a more modern version. The lyrics are different and the music is a cover of a hit song by the legendary band ABBA. The second, "E Cai a Neve", is a Portuguese cover of Salvatore Adamo's hit song "Tombe la Neige". The Portuguese version has been writing with the collaboration of Brazilian songwriter Romeu Nunes. Famous Italian-French singer Salvatore Adamo had loaned in the past his song "La Nuit" to Ferreira in 1988, for the tracklist of the album "Não Há Gente Como a Gente". Ferreira's studio drummer Robert Leonardo is now a famous producer and has made mixings and mastering at his Fall River studio "Digital Wave Multimedia". At the same time that the release of this new album, Ferreira releases this year his first live DVD "Ao Vivo em Ponte da Barca" (Live in Ponte da Barca) recorded in August 2006 in Ponte da Barca, during Ferreira's annual Portugal Summer Tour. Ponte da Barca is a beautiful municipality located in Northern Portugal. This live concert was the best of all during the Portugal Summer Tour 2006. During 1h30 of show, Ferreira performs his best hits, including some songs from his 2006 album "Meu Coração Bate Por Ti".

In 2008, Ferreira performs 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 thanks to his 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). Ferreira releases the album "Manel Aperta o Cinto" (Manuel, Pinch the Belt). With this album, Ferreira wanted to make an urgent appeal to the global financial crisis of 2008 which touches nowadays all countries of the globe. He speaks about the life of emigrated workers who resist to daily difficulties and who receive a just sufficient wage to survive with the cons...