Jorge Villamizar formerly of "Los Bacilos"

Ordering Closed

As one of today’s most unique and prepared artists and musicians, Jorge Villamizar is a household name across the Americas and the Caribbean. The 6-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter is the true definition of success and perseverance as a solo artist and as the front man of the legendary group, Bacilos.

Jorge Villamizar was born in Montería, Colombia and was raised in Ecuador. His mother taught him how to play the guitar and to appreciate an eclectic array of music that ranged from The Beatles to Andean folk music. These childhood influences, paired with the experiences that he would go on to live as a young man, shaped him into the dangerously creative and talented musician he is today.

At 19, after spending one year serving in the Colombian Navy, Jorge moved to London, England looking to flourish artistically in the immense musical scene. He found himself deeply rooted to Latin music and for the next two years Villamizar would make it as a “Busker” (street performer), making the streets, markets and nightclubs his stage. London was a pivotal time for the young singer-songwriter; it was the place where he fell in love for the first time and where he composed one of the biggest songs in his career, “Tabaco y Chanel” (Tobacco and Chanel).

Looking to internationalize his music, Jorge moved to Miami in the 90’s, a true music metropolis still to date. While finishing his studies at the University of Miami, the artist teamed up with the Puerto Rican, Jose Javier Freire and Brazilian, André López to form the group, Bacilos. Stemming from the overwhelming popularity in their hometown, Bacilos quickly became a staple in Latin music on a international level. Their first album, “Bacilos” (2000) delivered the hit song “Tabaco y Chanel” and two Latin Grammy nominations. The band’s sophomore production, “Caraluna” (2002) delivered the hits “Caraluna” and “Primer Millón”, two Latin Grammy award and one Grammy Award, among other recognitions. Continuing their successful run, the third album, “Sinvergüenza” (2004) delivered the hit “Pasos de Gigante” and the band’s fourth career Grammy award’ it was truly a remarkable run. Bacilos dismantled at the peak of their success after 12 years, and their last performance at the 2007 “Viña Del Mar” music festival was memorable and emotional.

As a burgeoning songwriter, Villamizar wrote songs for Alejandra Guzman (Algo Natural) and Marc Anthony (Vivir). As an established and sought-after composer, he’s collaborated with JulietaVenegas, DescemerBueno, Isaac Delgado, and Mane De La Parra, and composed emblematic hits such as- Paulina Rubio (Alma En Libertad) and Luis Enrique (Yo No Se Mañana) with which he won the Latin Grammy award for “Best Tropical Song” in 2009.

One year after Bacilo’s breakup, Jorge Villamizar emerges as a solo artist, ready to continue the musical legacy he had created. Since then, he’s release the albums “Jorge Villamizar” (2008), produced by Richard Blair; “Alex Jorge Lena” (2011), a special project in which Villamizar collaborated with colleagues Lena Burke and Alex Ubago; and his most recently released, “El DiaQueVuelva” (2015), produced by Sergio George. The album contains various collaborations with artists such as Oscar de León and is in fact a collection of songs written during the Bacilos era. The album delivered the #1 hit single “Dificil” and gained Villamizar the chance to win his seventh career Grammy award, which he plans to take home this November in Las Vegas.

The artist is currently acting as a coach on Ecuador’s edition of the highly popular talent competition, “The Voice.” Jorge is also set to release a new single in November. He also continues to compose for known, and sometimes unknown, artists.

With the same passion as when he landed in London, Jorge Villamizar continues to perform, bringing his happy ad energetic beats to all of Latin America, the US and the Caribbean.