Alex Cuba | |
|---|---|
 Alex Cuba performing at the 2015Burlington's Sound of Music Festival | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Alexis Puentes (1974-03-29)March 29, 1974 (age 51) |
| Origin | Artemisa, Cuba |
| Genres | Afro-Cuban jazz, pop |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Labels | Shell, Caracol |
| Website | alexcuba |
Alexis Puentes (born 1974),[1] better known by his stage nameAlex Cuba, is a Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter who sings in Spanish and English. He has won twoJuno Awards forWorld Music Album of the Year: in 2006 forHumo de Tabaco, and in 2008 for his second album,Agua del Pozo. In 2010 he won theLatin Grammy for Best New Artist. His 2015 album,Healer, earned him aLatin Grammy Award for Best Singer-Songwriter Album and aGrammy Award nomination forBest Latin Pop Album. His 2021 albumMendó won the 2022 Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album.[2]
Puentes was born on March 29, 1974[3] in Cuba, spending his childhood inArtemisa. The son of guitar player and music teacher Valentin Puentes, he started playingguitar at the age of six.[1] As an adult, he shifted intojazz fusion styles. He immigrated to Canada in 1999 after marrying a Canadian in Cuba. He and his twin brotherAdonis first settled inVictoria, British Columbia, and worked as a duo called thePuentes Brothers, receiving a Juno Award nomination forBest Global Album at theJuno Awards of 2001.[4] They parted ways as a band to launch solo careers in 2004. In 2003, Puentes moved toSmithers, British Columbia, the hometown of his wife, Sarah, whose father is politicianBill Goodacre.[1][5] They have three children: Daniel, Rose and Owen Puentes.[5]
Collaborators on his debut,Humo De Tabaco, includeRon Sexsmith andCorinne Bailey Rae. "Lo Mismo Que Yo", a duet with Sexsmith, became a hit in theUK Singles Chart, reaching No. 52.[6][7]
In 2009, he co-wrote and recorded aduet with fellow CanadianNelly Furtado. "Mi Plan" turned out to be the title track for her fourth studioalbum of the same name. Puentes co-wrote more than half of the songs on Furtado's album.[5]
His music reflects primarily Latin and African influences, but with a mix of funk, jazz and pop.[1]
He received a Latin Grammy on November 21, 2013.
In 2016, he performed as part of the national Canada Day celebration on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
His 2021 albumMendó won the 2022 Grammy forBest Latin Pop Album; it was his fourth nomination for the award and his first Grammy win.[2]
In 2022, he received anhonorary doctorate fromQueen's University.[8]
He gave aTiny Desk Concert with his band in 2023.[9]
TheGrammy Award is an accolade by theNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement on the music industry. Cuba has received four nominations.[10][11]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Alex Cuba | Best Latin Pop Album | Nominated |
| 2016 | Healer | Best Latin Pop Album | Nominated |
| 2018 | Lo Único Constante | Best Latin Pop Album | Nominated |
| 2022 | Mendó | Best Latin Pop Album | Won[2] |
A Latin Grammy Award is an accolade by theLatin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. Alex Cuba has received four awards out of five nominations.[12]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Alex Cuba | Best New Artist | Won |
| Alex Cuba | Best Male Pop Vocal Album | Nominated | |
| 2012 | "Toma Mi Vida" | Best Tropical Song | Won |
| 2013 | "Eres Tú" | Best Short Form Music Video | Won |
| 2015 | Healer | Best Singer-Songwriter Album | Won |
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