Jon Secada | |
|---|---|
 Secada in 2017 | |
| Born | Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez (1961-10-04)October 4, 1961 (age 64) |
| Education | University of Miami |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Miami,Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | |
Musical artist | |
| Website | www |
Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez (born October 4, 1961), better known asJon Secada, is aCuban-born American[1][2] singer. He has won twoGrammy Awards and sold 15 million records,[3] making him one of thebest-selling Latin music artists. His music fusesfunk,soul music, pop, and Latin percussion.
Secada has written songs forGloria Estefan,Ricky Martin, andJennifer Lopez. He has toured withLuciano Pavarotti and recorded duets withJim Brickman,Olivia Newton-John, andFrank Sinatra.[4]
Secada has performed several times atA Capitol Fourth, an annualIndependence Day concert from theUnited States Capitol.[5]
Secada was born in 1961 inHavana,Cuba.[2] Secada's father, José, was incarcerated for three years as apolitical prisoner by the communist Cuban government. In 1971, the Secadas received permission to emigrate and moved to Miami.[6] His parents opened a coffee shop.[7] Secada was raised inHialeah, Florida.
In 1979, Secada graduated fromHialeah Senior High School inHialeah, Florida.[8] During his performance ofA 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 theFrost School of Music at theUniversity of Miami, where he received aBachelor of Music in 1983 and aMaster of Music in jazz vocal performance in 1986.[9] He graduated cum laude and was later inducted into theIron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed by the University of Miami.[10]
From 1986 to 1991, Secada was a teacher atMiami Dade College.[11]
In 1986, Secada's University of Miami acquaintances introduced him toEmilio Estefan, a musician inMiami Sound Machine and husband ofGloria Estefan.[1] Estefan listened to one of Secada's demos and then became Secada's mentor and manager.[2][12] This led to Secada becoming a backup singer for Miami Sound Machine.[7]
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.[13] In 1992, he released hisself-titled debut album, which sold 7 million copies.[7] In 1994, he performed a duet withFrank Sinatra, a re-recording of "The Best Is Yet to Come", released on Sinatra's albumDuets II. He also performed at the awards forMiss Venezuela 1994. In 1995, he performed on Broadway inGrease,[7] and he also presented at the49th Tony Awards. He also recorded "If I Never Knew You", a duet withShanice forPocahontas. In 1999, he co-wrote and co-produced "She's All I Ever Had" forRicky Martin.[14]
In 2003, he performed inCabaret.[7] He also co-wrote "Juramento" for Ricky Martin. From 2006 to 2009, Secada was a judge onLatin American Idol.[15] In 2007, he co-wrote three songs, and performed in one, onLilian Garcia's album¡Quiero Vivir!.[16]
In 2017, he released atribute album withcover versions of songs byBenny Moré.[17]
In January 2025, Secada began teaching at the Wertheim School of Music ofFlorida International University.[18]
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[19] and have two children.
Secada resides in a 7,284 square-foot house, with a tennis court and pool, a few blocks west of theUniversity of Miami, his alma mater, inCoral Gables, Florida.[20]
Secada has created the Jon Secada Music Scholarship at the University of Miami, raised funds forThe Recording Academy's effort "Keeping Music in Schools", and supports many initiatives including the Pediatric AIDS Unit atJackson Memorial Hospital,Make-A-Wish Foundation, and theBoys & Girls Clubs of America.[21]
| 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 | |||||
| Rolling Stone Magazine | Best Male Vocalist | Won | |||
| 1994 | Asian Music Awards | Best Pop Song | "Mental Picture" | Won |
