How to Hire Jon Secada For Your Event!
The Voice of Latin Pop Crossover
aka: Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez
Born in: Cuba
Based in: Florida
Based in: Miami
Hire: Jon Secada
GRAMMY and LATIN GRAMMY award-winning Jon Secada was born in Havana, Cuba, and emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of nine. They settled in Hialeah, Florida, a suburb of Miami. His parents—his father a political prisoner in Cuba—instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and perseverance.
He attended Hialeah Senior High School and went on to study at the University of Miami, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in jazz vocal performance. His training gave him the strong musical foundation that later fueled his crossover appeal.
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Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Secada began his career as a backup singer for Gloria Estefan in the late 1980s. Working closely with Gloria and Emilio Estefan, he gained vital exposure and industry insight.
His big break came in 1992 when he released his self-titled debut album “Jon Secada“, which became a massive commercial success. The album blended pop, soul, and Latin influences and featured hits like:
- “Just Another Day”
- “Angel”
- “Do You Believe in Us”
The album sold more than 6 million copies worldwide and launched him into international stardom.
International and Latin Success
Following the success of his English-language debut, Jon Secada released a Spanish-language version of the album titled “Otro Día Más Sin Verte” in 1992. The album earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album in 1993.
He continued to bridge the English and Spanish-speaking markets with subsequent releases like:
- “Heart, Soul & a Voice” (1994)
- “Amor” (1995)
- “Secada” (1997)
- “Better Part of Me” (2000)
Awards and Achievements
- 2 Grammy Awards
- Multiple BMI Songwriter Awards
- Billboard Music Awards
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2005)
- Inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016
Songwriting Contributions
Aside from his own hits, Jon Secada became a sought-after songwriter. He co-wrote several hits for Gloria Estefan, including “Coming Out of the Dark,” and worked with other artists like:
- Jennifer Lopez
- Ricky Martin
- Mandy Moore
- Frank Sinatra
Broadway and Television
Jon Secada also explored musical theater and television:
- Starred in Broadway’s “Grease” as Danny Zuko
- Appeared in “Cabaret” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat“
- Guest-starred in various TV shows and Latin American telenovelas
- Was a judge on Latin American Idol from 2006 to 2009
Personal Life
Jon Secada married his longtime girlfriend Maritere Vilar in 1997. The couple has two children. He is known for maintaining a relatively private personal life, focusing on his family and philanthropy.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Secada has been active in various charitable causes, including:
- Education initiatives (especially for Hispanic youth)
- AIDS awareness campaigns
- Environmental and children’s health organizations
Legacy and Influence
Jon Secada is considered a trailblazer in Latin pop crossover success. He helped pave the way for artists like Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, and Ricky Martin to break into the U.S. mainstream.
With more than 20 million records sold worldwide, his smooth voice, bilingual versatility, and timeless ballads have left a lasting mark on both Latin and mainstream pop music.
Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez (born October 4, 1961), better known as Jon Secada, is a Cuban-born American singer. He has won two Grammy Awards and sold more than 15 million records, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists. His music fuses funk, soul music, pop, and Latin percussion.
Jon Secada became one of the biggest adult contemporary artists of the ’90s. His smooth mix of R&B, pop, and Latin music appeals to a variety of different audiences. What separates him from the overly slick sound of most adult contemporary artists are his considerable songwriting skills – he is able to write sweet, affecting ballads that rarely seem contrived.
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Jon Secada was born Juan Secada in Havana, Cuba, where he lived with his family. The family applied to leave Cuba legally when Jon was 9 years old, but as a punishment his father was sent to a work camp for a year and a half. The family finally left Cuba in 1971 and opened a coffee shop in Miami Beach. Jon studied hard at school and quickly learned English. While he was in the 11th grade, his vocal talent began to show itself. When Jon sang his way through the part of a young Scrooge in a musical version of “A Christmas Carol,” even his friend, Miguel Morejon, now a songwriter, was surprised at Jon’s talent.
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Jon went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from the University of Miami, after which he took a teaching job at the Miami Community College. Emilio Estefan discovered Jon’s talent after hearing one of Jon’s demo tapes. Soon Jon was writing and performing as a backup singer for Gloria Estefan and other performers. Jon co-wrote several songs on Gloria’s “Into The Light” album, including “Coming Out Of The Dark” and performed in her Into The Light World Tour.
Jon has become a big star in his own right with album sales well in excess of 6 million worldwide. His album “Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte” achieved number one status in Billboard’s Latin Album chart and gained a Grammy award for “Best Latin Pop Album” in 1992. His album “Amor” (1995) also won a Grammy award for “Latin Pop Performance” in 1996.
A versatile performer, he performed on Broadway during 1995 as Danny Zuko in Tommy Tune‘s production of “Grease.”
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