Singer-songwriter, composer, pianist, and producer Chris Urquiaga, 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 explores themes of gender fluidity and queer culture.

During Chris’ childhood years, his performance experiences as a soloist and with choral and instrumental ensembles brewed an interest in composition. Throughout high school and college, Chris developed a desire to tell his own story through his own music. After studying composition at the Eastman School of Music, Chris became highly active as a singer-songwriter, releasing indie pop albums under the stage name Chris Urquiaga. Chris’ desire to deepen his connection with and express his Brazilian, Peruvian and gay identity, led him a new direction. In 2020, Chris rebranded himself as an urban Latin artist under the stage name JChris. 

Chris has co-arranged and co-produced with JohnnyTechAudio for his new sound as JChris, receiving critical acclaim for their edgy urban tracks. Chris has worked with an international team of professionals, including chart-topping superstar Naldo Benny for JChris’ “Caliente” music video, and Yurel Echezarreta from Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story for JChris’ LGBT-centered music videos Oportunidad and Dime. A vocal a cappella version of JChris’ Macarena has been made by arranger/composer Tom Anderson, whose arrangements have been featured on NBC’s “The Sing Off”. Chris has also shared the stage with Stokley Williams of the band Mint Condition.

In 2023, Chris became a Grammys Voting Member for The Recording Academy. That same year, he performed in two PBS Televised Specials: the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Awards with Omar Apollo and Tito Puente, Jr. and the How Great Thou Art TV concert special with Kristen Chenoweth and Sandi Patty. Chris graced the cover of Noticias NY magazine, where his music was called …”explosive”… and a “hymn of liberation for the queer Hispanic community”. His music has been played at the Museo Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá. Chris performed for Carlos Vives at the Arsht Latin America Center’s JUNTOS Gala in October 2023.

As a gay Latino artist, Chris had the honor of presenting his own headlining concert at Feinstein’s/54 Below in NYC entitled Latin Music Night, featuring guest artists from Broadway and Television. Now based in New York City, Chris has fallen in love with the city. In October 2021, he made his Off-Broadway debut performing his original music at the Triad Theatre for a play entitled Dig Deep. Choral music has followed Chris for most of his life, giving him experience as a conductor, composer, accompanist, guest vocalist and clinician. In 2022, Chris became the Assistant Director for Grace Chorale of Brooklyn, working with his colleague and Artistic Director, Jason Asbury. Through Grace Chorale of Brooklyn, Chris performed at and assistant directed a concert at Carnegie Hall. Grace Chorale of Brooklyn has commissioned JChris to compose a piece for choir and orchestra, to premiere in April 2024 in NYC. 

Music education is something that Chris deeply values, as it changed his life for the better. In New York, Chris is a music teacher at the prestigious Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, teaching The Songwriter’s Toolbox, The Science of Music, Chorus, Voice and Piano to middle school and high school students. In 2022, Chris was the professor and curator for the Arts Conservatory For Teens’ singer-songwriter program in St. Petersburg, Florida. Chris was entrusted with the task of developing and directing the conservatory’s singer-songwriter program for its very first season. Chris has expanded his outreach by teaching workshops. He teaches engaging Latino-themed workshops for youth including La Música: A World Of Encanto, which had a summer residency series at Tysons Corner in 2023. With JChris’ concert touring, he also offers music education workshops and discussions to youth and adults surrounding the Latino identity. 

JChris has performed for sold-out audiences with his original music as well as his Latin-themed tribute shows like Shakira Cabaret, Latin Divas, Noche De Orgullo and Batalla De Las Bandas. He has produced and published songs with acclaimed recording artists Nitty Scott from New York City, LoMaasBello (La Llave) from Buenaventura, Colombia; Den$o (Cariñosa) from Medellín, Colombia; Lissis Martin (Tun Tun) from Choluteca, Honduras; and Nilton De La Cruz (Propiedad Privada) from Lima, Perú. 

On top of working with such incredible industry professionals, Chris shows his support for the LGBTQ+ community through his continued involvement with local organizations. Chris was selected as the featured artist to perform at the 2021 Capital Pride Walk and Rally, for thousands of spectators and distinguished guests including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Chris also shows his support for the LGBTQ+ community with his own drag persona, Cara Linda. Cara Linda first made an appearance in the 2020 music video for “Ya Yo Te Olvidé” and continues to make appearances via her personal Instagram page and Chris’s TikTok.

Chris has always been a rising star within the music industry even before adopting the JChris name. After completing the prestigious Artist in Residence program at Strathmore, Chris released his debut album, Complete : a project filled with original tunes with lyrics in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. A year later, he released I’m Here , a collection of velvety ballads and heartfelt lyrics which was celebrated at the Blues Alley, the historic jazz club in Washington, DC.

Chris’ achievements and accolades led him to receive the 2017 Montgomery County Hispanic Heritage Month Award in Maryland for his achievements in the performing arts and for playing a vital role in shaping his hometown community. In 2019, he was the featured performer for the Hispanic Swearing-In Ceremony for the 116th US Congress, performing for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. That same year, Chris was featured on the cover of  Metro Weekly magazine, being described as an artist with a “potent, sweet, and rich voice [with] songwriting skills to match.”

While attending the Eastman School of Music, he composed and performed music for all styles and mediums. His education in music helped him achieve several career milestones including commissions by Congressional Chorus, Grace Chorale of Brooklyn and soprano Carmen Balthrop, and performances for Barack and Michelle Obama at The White House, and La Universidad Nacional de Música in Lima, Perú, among other venues in the US, South America, and Europe.