Jon Secada
Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez (born October 4, 1961), better known as Jon Secada, is a Cuban-born American[1][2] singer. He has won two Grammy Awards and sold 15 million records,[3] making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists. His music fuses funk, soul music, pop, and Latin percussion.
Jon Secada | |
|---|---|
Secada in 2017 | |
| Born | Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez October 4, 1961 |
| Education | University of Miami |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouses | Jo Pat Cafro (m. 1988; div. 1993)Maritere Vilar (m. 1997) |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Labels | SBK EMI |
| Website | www |
Secada has written songs for Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, and Jennifer Lopez. He has toured with Luciano Pavarotti and recorded duets with Jim Brickman, Olivia Newton-John, and Frank Sinatra.
Secada has performed several times at A Capitol Fourth, an annual Independence Day concert from the United States Capitol televised by PBS.[4]
Early life edit
Secada was born in 1961 in Havana, Cuba.[2] Secada's father, José, was incarcerated for 3 years as a political prisoner to the communist Cuban government. In 1971, the Secadas received permission to emigrate and moved to Miami.[5] His parents opened a coffee shop.[6] Secada was raised in Hialeah, Florida.
Education edit
In 1979, Secada graduated from Hialeah Senior High School in Hialeah, Florida.[7] During his performance of A Christmas Carol in 11th grade, he says he realized his musical potential and was encouraged by teachers to pursue music as a career.[2]
After graduating from high school, Secada attended the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where he received a Bachelor of Music in 1983 and a Master of Music in jazz vocal performance in 1986.[8] He graduated cum-laude and was later inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed by the University of Miami.[9]
Career edit
From 1986 to 1991, Secada was a teacher at Miami Dade College.[10]
In 1986, Secada's University of Miami acquaintances introduced him to Emilio Estefan, a musician in Miami Sound Machine and husband of Gloria Estefan.[1] Estefan listened to one of Secada's demos and then became Secada's mentor and manager.[2][11] This led to Secada becoming a backup singer for Miami Sound Machine.[6]
In 1991, Secada co-wrote and was a backup singer for "Coming Out of the Dark," a number-one hit song inspired by a tour-bus accident involving Gloria Estefan in 1990, in which her back was broken.[12] In 1992, he released his self-titled debut album, which sold 7 million copies.[6] In 1994, he performed a duet with Frank Sinatra, a re-recording of "The Best Is Yet to Come," released on Sinatra's album Duets II. He also performed at the awards for Miss Venezuela 1994. In 1995, he performed on Broadway in Grease,[6] and he also presented at the 49th Tony Awards. He also recorded "If I Never Knew You", a duet with Shanice for Pocahontas. In 1999, he co-wrote and co-produced "She's All I Ever Had" for Ricky Martin.[citation needed]
In 2003, he performed in Cabaret.[6] He also co-wrote "Juramento" for Ricky Martin. From 2006 to 2009 Secada was a judge on Latin American Idol for its entire four-season run.[citation needed] In 2007, he co-wrote three songs, and performed in one, on Lilian Garcia's album ¡Quiero Vivir!.[citation needed]
In 2017, he released a tribute album with cover versions of songs by Benny Moré.[13]
Personal life edit
From 1988 to 1993, Secada was married to Jo Pat Cafro. In May 1995, he started dating Maritere Vilar. They were married in February 1997[14] and have two children.
Secada resides in a 7,284 square-foot house, with a tennis court and pool, a few blocks west of the University of Miami, his alma mater, in Coral Gables, Florida.[15]
Secada has created the Jon Secada Music Scholarship at the University of Miami, raised funds for The Recording Academy's effort "Keeping Music in Schools," and supports many initiatives including the Pediatric AIDS Unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.[16]
Discography edit
- Jon Secada (1992)
- Otro Día Más Sin Verte (1992)
- Heart, Soul & a Voice (1994)
- Si Te Vas (1994)
- Amor (1995)
- Secada (1997)
- Better Part of Me (2000)
- The Gift (2001)
- Amanecer (2002)
- Same Dream (2005)
- A Christmas Fiesta/Una Fiesta Navideña (2007)
- Expressions (2009)
- Classics/Clasicos (2010)
- Otra Vez (2011)
- To Beny Moré With Love (2017)
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | BMI Awards | Most Performed Latin Song | "Otro Día Más Sin Verte", "Sentir", and "Cree en Nuestra Amor" (Do You Believe in Us) | Won | |
| The World Music Awards | Best-Selling Latin American Recording Artist | Himself | Won | ||
| The Caribbean Music Awards | Best New Latin Pop Album | Otro Día Más Sin Verte | Won | ||
| Billboard Latin Music Awards | Best Latin-Pop Album of the Year | Won | |||
| Best Latin-Pop Artist | Himself | ||||
| Best New Latin-Pop Artist of the Year | |||||
| Hit Radio Awards (Hong Kong) | Best Male Artist of the Year | Won | |||
| Rolling Stone Magazine | Best Male Vocalist | Won | |||
| 1994 | Asian Music Awards | Best Pop Song | "Mental Picture" | Won | |
| 1998 | BMI Pop Awards | Best Latin Song | "Amandolo" |
Television series edit
- Alice's Wonderland Bakery as King of Hearts
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Walker, Michael (June 12, 1994). "POP MUSIC: Mr. Melting Pot: Using his Latino and African American heritage as a springboard to multicultural music, singer Jon Secada is realizing his crossover dreams while promoting integration 'because that's what America is about'". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b c d "JON SECADA SEES SUCCESS FROM ALL SIDES". Orlando Sentinel. April 7, 1995.
- ^ "Vuelve Jon Secada a los escenarios". El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico. September 11, 2002. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ [https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-29-9706290281-story.html "Music fills the air to celebrate America's birthday," Chicago Tribune, June 29, 1997
- ^ Capretto, Lisa (January 31, 2017). "Latin Superstar From The '90s Shares His Powerful Immigrant Story". HuffPost.
- ^ a b c d e "A little of everything: Since days with Sound Machine, Jon Secada has built a diverse career". Las Vegas Sun. September 16, 2005.
- ^ BENN, EVAN (July 31, 2018). "Grammy winner Jon Secada goes back to Hialeah with INDULGE". The Miami Herald.
- ^ . Frost School of Music. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ "Jon Secada: Bio". Jon Secada.
- ^ "Learning the ropes with Professor Secada". Miami Dade College. May 2009.
- ^ LANNERT, JOHN (May 3, 1992). "ESTEFAN BACKUP FINALLY COMING INTO HIS OWN". Sun-Sentinel.
- ^ "Jon Secada blends careers and a cause". Orange County Register. March 21, 2006.
- ^ Flores, Griselda (February 1, 2017). "Listen to Jon Secada's New Single 'Como Fue,' Feat. Beny More: Exclusive Premiere". Billboard.
- ^ "True Amor". People. March 10, 1997.
- ^ Vogel, Mike (March 25, 2015). "Where celebrities live in Florida". Florida Trend.
- ^ Wedekindt, David (September 7, 2005). "Evening with the Stars: Jon Secada, Scott Celani". University of Buffalo.
- ^ Pesselnick, Jill (May 20, 2000). "Pérez Honored at 8th El Premio ASCAP Gala". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 21. Nielsen Company. p. 123. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- ^ "Billboard" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. May 30, 1992. p. 16. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard". Books.google.com. May 21, 1994. p. 11.
- ^ "Billboard". Books.google.com. May 27, 1995. p. 8.
- ^ "Gloria Estefan to be Named BMI Icon at 16th Annual Latin Awards Ceremony". Bmi.com. January 27, 2009.
- ^ "BMI Honors Top Latin Songwriters and Publishers at 8th Annual Awards Ceremony". Bmi.com. April 20, 2001.
- ^ "Billboard". Books.google.com. July 16, 1994. p. 15.
- ^ "Billboard". Books.google.com. June 1996. p. 103.
- ^ a b "Discography & Awards". Jonsecada.com. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "Winners Database". Billboardmusicawards.com.
- ^ "Billboard". Archive.org. December 15, 1958.
- ^ "Jon Secada". Grammy.com. November 23, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard". Books.google.com. March 13, 1993. p. 10.
External links edit
- Official website
- Jon Secada at IMDb