Interview: Orlando Valencia Jr.

What do you get when you mix English with Spanish, salsa with R&B, and pure passion with an unstoppable desire to make people move? Salsa Urbana is the answer. This CD, which was released in 2007 and is currently sold out, was created by none other than Orlando Valencia Jr. Orlando’s Latin and R&B music have been forcing Canadians to get up and dance for a number of years, and with a second CD in the making, salsa nights may be replacing the common dance/club scene in Ontario.

Orlando is also a smart businessman. Though he has been approached by record labels before, Orlando is not signed with anyone as of yet. He wants to ensure that his sound never has to be compromised or forced into a mould. However, when he does find a label that feels right and understands his theme, Orlando says that he is willing to sign.

Born in El Salvador but raised in Canada, Orlando Valencia is a dynamic artist who is able to create a sound which speaks to a variety of people. It was practically inevitable that Orlando became heavily involved with music; his mother was part of the National Ballet in El Salvador and his father was and still is a musician. Growing up with and expressing himself through song and dance, Orlando eventually became fluent in these two universal languages.

Though he was eager to be a great singer, Orlando’s father made sure that he knew that it takes more than a voice to create great music, and as a result Oralndo is today a talented percussionist and vocalist. For more than a decade now, Orlando, his father and younger brother have been working together. They perform live four to five times a week for people yearning to dance to authentic salsa, merengue and bachata. Orlando feels that there is something extraordinary about being able to do what he loves while also making people happy; it is truly a gift that is appreciated and shared by artist and fans.

When Orlando is not performing with the band, there’s a good chance that he’s working in the studio. It’s a very different experience being alone in a recording room late at night because you have to generate your own energy, shared Orlando. The musician seems to have no trouble finding that energy though, and Salsa Urbana is proof. Salsa Urbana was produced in Ontario, and it incorporates salsa, merengue, reggaeton, R&B, bachata, rap and cumbia into one sizzling masterpiece. Tracks like “Sandungita” and “Cosas del ayer” flaunt Orlando’s ability to combine energetic Latin rhythms with English and Spanish lyrics, and to create music that is not only appealing, but enticing to several North Americans. Moreover, Orlando’s powerful and very flexible voice makes each song stand out from anything else you’re currently listening to. Put simply, Salsa Urbana will make you feel good. Fans can sample Orlando’s collection of music on YouTube and Facebook, or check out his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/orlandovalenciajr. Make sure to look for his performance dates because there is nothing like seeing Orlando perform live. 

It is important to note that Orlando’s personality is as amazing as his voice; he is an extremely grounded man. Orlando is kind and polite, and he aims to connect with people on a personal level. Orlando knows that the “right attitude goes a long way”, and he has credited some of his success to this fact.

Miami, Florida is Orlando’s next stop. He will be recording his second CD there later this month. He hopes that being immersed in a Spanish environment will allow him to find the sound he’s looking for with more ease, and that this second CD will reach a global audience. Though Orlando noted that his expectations are realistic for the future, it is not unrealistic to say that Orlando Valencia Jr. is going far, and because of his skill and humility, countless people are backing him up for the journey.