Jorge Oñate, in the town of Los Robles La Paz, near the city of Valledupar in northern Colombia, is one of the most renowned singers and composers of the vallenato musical genre. As of 2004 and since the beginning of his career in 1968 he has achieved 25 gold discs, 7 platinum discs and 6 double platinum for his sales, among other numerous musical accomplishments. He has also successfully entered politics as councilor of his hometown, while deputising for Alfredo Cuello Dávila, representing the department of Cesar.
Biography
Early years
Oñate grew up in the small town of La Paz close to Valledupar where he studied until graduating from high school, he was known for having a great aptitude for singing vallenatos. He was also a football player.
Career
In 1968 after High School, Oñate gets hired by a local vallenato group called "Los Guatapuri" as the lead singer and officially starting his career as vallenato singer. The group released an album titled Festival Vallenato. In 1969, he teamed up with the already locally famous Hermanos Lopez vallenato group once again as lead singer releasing the albumLo Último en Vallenatos!. In 1970 Oñate releases his second album with the Hermanos Lopez titled Diosa Divina while he also recorded an album with accordion player Nelson Diaz, titled Conmigo es el Baile. In 1971 Oñate and Hermanos Lopez recorded the album El Jardincito. In 1972 they released the album Reyes Vallenatos.In 1973 released the album El Cantor de Fonseca was released while Las Bodas de Plata appeared in the same year. In 1974 they recorded another two albums, the first one Fuera de Concurso. The second one was named Rosa Jardinera. Oñate is currently performing with one of the youngest accordionist in Colombia Christian Camilo Peña with only 21 years old he has already achieved a crown of king in the Vallenato Legend Festival celebrated every year in Valledupar, they have recorded three albums together: Seguire Triunfando, Vivo Cantando and Mi Mejor Regalo.
Family
Oñate is son of Daniel Gonzalez and Delfina Oñate and is the youngest of three siblings. He married Nancy Zuleta and had three children with her; Jorge Luis, Delfina Ines and Jorge Daniel. He also has another son also named Jorge from an extramarital relationship with a woman named Claudia Dangond.
Discography
1968 – Festival Vallenato Los Guatapuri feat. Jorge Oñate.
1969 – Lo Último en Vallenatos! Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1970 – Diosa Divina Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1970 – Conmigo es el Baile Jorge Oñate feat. accordion player Nelson Diaz.
1971 – El Jardincito Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1972 – Reyes Vallenatos Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1973 – El Cantor de Fonseca Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1973 – Las Bodas de Plata Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1974 – Fuera de Concurso Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1974 – Rosa Jardinera Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1975 – Canto a mi Tierra Los Hermanos Lopez feat. Jorge Oñate.
1975 – La Parranda y la Mujer Emiliano Zuleta feat. Jorge Oñate.
1975 – Los Dos Amigos Jorge Oñate feat. accordion player Colacho Mendoza.
