Future Classic Festival Preview: Jorge Moreno

​Yo, WTF's up with Jorge Moreno? It seems that, aside from a seemingly isolated performance on last December's Victoria Secret Fashion Show, we haven't heard from the talented Cuban-American singer-songwriter in some time.

The release of his Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated debut record Moreno showed incredible promise, spawning tracks that garnered well-deserved praise, such as "Despertate," ("Wake Up") a rendition of Desi Arnaz's "Babalu" and "Mi Sufrimiento" ("My Suffering"), the video for which was shot by Moreno himself, featuring a single shot of him lip syncing the song in his home and displaying signs confessing that there was no money for his video and that Madonna, owner of his label at the time, Maverick, wouldn't be in it. His 2005 release Segundo featured first single "Avion" ("Airplane") and seemed to impress critics as well, but didn't receive quite the attention his debut did.

I recently happened across the flyer for this Saturday's Future Classic Festival, and low and behold, who should appear on the bill alongside NERD and such local favorites as Awesome New Republic, Spam Allstars, Locos Por Juana, Afrobeta, Suenalo!, and Soniko? You guessed it--Jorge Moreno!

That's exciting news. There's been some underground buzz surrounding a possible 2009 release for the artist, and perhaps this local gig is an indication that there's truth to the rumblings. Here's hoping. Moreno's a great musician with an intelligent take on Latin alternative.

Future Classic Festival takes place Saturday, September 12 at SOHO Studios in Miami Beach. Tickets are $25.