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Jon Secada
Jon Secada Headshot.jpg
Secada in 2017
Born
Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez

(1961-10-04) October 4, 1961 (age 63)
Education University of Miami
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • record producer
Years active 1991–present
Spouse(s)
Jo Pat Cafro
(m. 1988; div. 1993)
Maritere Vilar
(m. 1997)
Children 2
Musical career
Origin Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Labels

Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez (born October 4, 1961), known as Jon Secada, is a singer, songwriter, and actor from Cuba and the United States. He has won two Grammy Awards. He has sold over 15 million records, making him one of the top-selling Latin music artists. His music mixes different styles like funk, soul, pop, and Latin rhythms.

Jon Secada has written songs for famous artists like Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, and Jennifer Lopez. He has also performed with Luciano Pavarotti and recorded duets with Jim Brickman, Olivia Newton-John, and Frank Sinatra. He has often performed at A Capitol Fourth, a big concert in Washington, D.C., shown on TV every July 4th.

Early Life in Cuba and Miami

Jon Secada was born in 1961 in Havana, Cuba. His father, José, was held in prison for three years by the Cuban government. This was because he was seen as a political opponent. In 1971, Jon's family was allowed to leave Cuba. They moved to Miami, Florida, where his parents opened a coffee shop. Jon grew up in Hialeah, Florida.

Jon Secada's Education and Music Start

In 1979, Jon Secada finished high school at Hialeah Senior High School. He realized he loved music during a school play, A Christmas Carol, in 11th grade. His teachers encouraged him to follow music as a career.

After high school, Jon went to the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He earned a music degree in 1983. Then, he got a master's degree in jazz singing in 1986. He did very well in school.

Jon Secada's Music Career Highlights

6.2.11JonSecadaByLuigiNovi18
Jon Secada with his Plaza's Walk of Fame in Union City, New Jersey

From 1986 to 1991, Jon Secada taught at Miami Dade College. During this time, friends from the University of Miami introduced him to Emilio Estefan. Emilio was a musician in the band Miami Sound Machine and was married to Gloria Estefan. Emilio heard Jon's music and became his mentor and manager. This led Jon to become a backup singer for Miami Sound Machine.

In 1991, Jon helped write and sang backup for "Coming Out of the Dark." This song became a number-one hit. It was inspired by a bus accident Gloria Estefan had in 1990. In 1992, Jon released his first album, Jon Secada. It sold 7 million copies!

In 1994, he sang a duet with the legendary Frank Sinatra. They re-recorded "The Best Is Yet to Come" for Sinatra's album Duets II. Jon also performed at the Miss Venezuela 1994 awards. In 1995, he acted on Broadway in the musical Grease. He also presented an award at the 49th Tony Awards. He recorded "If I Never Knew You" with Shanice for the movie Pocahontas. In 1999, he helped write and produce "She's All I Ever Had" for Ricky Martin.

In 2003, Jon performed in another musical, Cabaret. He also co-wrote "Juramento" for Ricky Martin. From 2006 to 2009, Jon Secada was a judge on Latin American Idol. In 2007, he helped write three songs for Lilian Garcia's album ¡Quiero Vivir!. He also sang on one of them. In 2017, he released a tribute album with cover versions of songs by the famous Cuban musician Benny Moré.

Jon Secada's Personal Life

Jon Secada was married to Jo Pat Cafro from 1988 to 1993. In 1995, he started dating Maritere Vilar. They got married in February 1997 and have two children together.

Jon lives in Coral Gables, Florida, near the University of Miami, where he went to school. He has created the Jon Secada Music Scholarship at the University of Miami. He also helps raise money for "Keeping Music in Schools" by The Recording Academy. He supports many other good causes too. These include the Pediatric AIDS Unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Jon Secada's Albums

  • 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 Recognitions

Jon Secada has won many awards for his music. He has won two Grammy Awards:

  • In 1993, he won for Best Latin Pop Album for Otro Día Más Sin Verte.
  • In 1996, he won for Best Latin Pop Performance for his album Amor.

He also won a Latin Grammy in 2017 for To Beny Moré With Love.

Other awards include:

Television Series Appearances

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jon Secada para niños

  • List of best-selling Latin music artists
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