Alejandro Sanz

  • Madrid, Spain
    hometown
  • World/International
    genre
  • 1988
    started
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About Alejandro Sanz

Official Site: http://alejandrosanz.com | @AlejandroSanz | facebook.com/pages/Alejandro-Sanz-Oficial/103875928533


The most commercially successful Spanish singer of all time, Alejandro Sanz earned a reputation as an industrious hitmaker in his native country during the 1990s, and by the decade's end, he'd expanded his fan base internationally as he broadened his style beyond romantic ballads and began collaborating with fellow Latin superstars, most memorably Shakira. A talented songwriter with handsome looks, Sanz proved immensely popular even with his debut album, Viviendo de Prisa (1991), which was a number one hit in Spain. It wasn't until several albums later, Más (1997), that he was able to break into the international market, however, thanks to a key hit single, "Corazón Partío," that transcended his core female audience. He began focusing on the Americas during the early 2000s, beginning with MTV Unplugged (2001), which was recorded in Miami and subsequently released as an album intended to showcase the highlights of his back catalog as well as a newly written single, "Y Sólo Se Me Ocurre Amarte." He then retreated to his studio to record his most broadly appealing album yet, No Es Lo Mismo (2003), which found him breaking away from audience expectations and exploring his own musical interests. He did much the same on his next album, El Tren de los Momentos (2006), which was highlighted by "Te Lo Agradezco, Pero No," a passionate duet with Shakira, whom he'd collaborated with the previous year on her massive Grammy-winning hit "La Tortura." Even as Sanz broadened his style over the years, he never ventured far from his strength: romantic songs, generally ballads, tinged with flamenco and sung wholeheartedly with his distinct voice.

Born in Madrid, Spain, on December 18, 1968, Alejandro Sánchez Pizarro was the youngest son of María Pizarro and Jesús Sánchez, both of whom are Andalusians. His father played guitar professionally and was a significant influence on Alejandro, who learned to play guitar as a boy. As a teenager, Sanz performed at local venues and eventually became acquainted with Miguel Angel Arenas, a music industry maven perhaps best known at the time for his association with Mecano, a successful Spanish pop/rock group of the 1980s. Arenas helped Sanz find work in the recording industry, and the young performer initially signed a contract with the Spanish label Hispavox, which issued Los Chulos Son Pa' Cuidarlos (1989), an album that was met with indifference upon its release and is now a curious collector's item. Sanz was billed as Alejandro Magno on the album. Remaining aligned with Arenas, Sanz subsequently moved to WEA Latina, where he began recording music under his present billing. His early albums -- Viviendo de Prisa (1991), Si Tu Me Miras (1993), Basico (1993), and 3 (1995) -- were loaded with hit singles and consequently were all successful, each reaching platinum status many times over in Spain. Comprised largely of romantic songs, these early albums connected well with sentimental listeners, particularly women, who tended to be as taken aback by the music as they were by Sanz's handsome looks. "La Fuerza del Corazón," from 3, was his first major hit to have an international reach, opening a door to greener pastures.

The stage was now set for the breakthrough success of Más (1997), which boasted "Corazón Partío," a hit so big it changed the course of Sanz's career. Driven by the across-the-board appeal of "Corazón Partío," as well as additional singles "Y, ¿Si Fuera Ella?," "Amiga Mía," "Aquello Que Me Diste," and "Siempre Es de Noche," Más became the most successful Spanish pop record ever, selling millions worldwide. El Alma al Aire (2000) was a comparable commercial success, selling well internationally. However, the album wasn't as solid as its predecessor and accordingly spawned fewer hits: "Cuando Nadie Me Ve," "Quisiera Ser...," and "El Alma el Aire," each of which was a big hit nonetheless. By this point, Sanz had garnered a sizable following across the Atlantic, and his next recording, MTV Unplugged (2001), was a clear effort to further his growing popularity in the Americas. The intimate concert performance featured a newly written single, "Y Sólo Se Me Ocurre Amarte," which became a hit, as did "Aprendiz," a song written by Sanz previously recorded by Malú in 1998. MTV Unplugged moreover showcased the bounty of career highlights Sanz now had to his credit, as one hit after another was performed during the concert.

When Sanz returned to the studio to begin recording his next album, No Es Lo Mismo (2003), he decided to broaden his musical style to reflect his own interests. The album is harder-hitting and more street-savvy than past ones, even including a bit of rap and touches of electronica. The romantic songs are still front and center, granted, but Sanz wrote an album that is far from generic, illustrating his growing reluctance to cater to the expectations of his audience (for the first time, he co-produced the album himself). Though bolder than before, No Es Lo Mismo was yet another international smash success, reaching number 128 on the all-inclusive Billboard 200 album chart -- a notably high ranking for a Latin pop album circa 2003 -- and generating several hits, none bigger than the title track, which broke the Top Five on the Hot Latin Tracks chart (the first time Sanz did so since 1998) and was licensed by Coca-Cola for a promotional campaign in Latin America. Furthermore, No El Lo Mismo won a Latin Grammy in 2003 for Best Latin Pop Album, and Warner Music Latina issued a special CD/DVD edition of the album the following year in commemoration of Sanz's Latin American tour. In 2004, Warner also released a pair of greatest-hits compilations, Grandes Éxitos 91_96 and Grandes Éxitos 97_04, as well as a three-disc package, Grandes Éxitos 91_04, that includes a disc of rarities.

Sanz didn't release the follow-up to No Es Lo Mismo, El Tren de los Momentos, until late 2006, but in the meantime, he was featured in the biggest Latin hit of 2005, Shakira's "La Tortura." He co-wrote the Grammy-winning song and co-starred in its heavily aired pair of videos, which featured the two Latin pop stars in some rather sultry positions. "La Tortura" exposed Sanz to an even greater audience, and when he finally released the lead single to El Tren de los Momentos, "A la Primera Persona," the reception was rapturous. The song was among his biggest hits yet, his first to break into the all-inclusive Hot 100 chart, and El Tren de los Momentos was likewise well received. Stylistically similar to No Es Lo Mismo yet significantly more refined, El Tren de los Momentos is notable for its several superstar features, which include collaborations with Shakira, Juanes, Alex González of Maná, and Residente of Calle 13.

Sanz returned three years later with 2009’s Paraiso Express, considered a return to form by critics, the album saw Sanz return to the more melodic sound of his earlier work. The single “Looking for Paradise” which featured Alicia Keys reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and in 2010 Paraiso Express was nominated for Album of the Year at the Latin Grammy Awards. After some twenty years with Warner, Sanz announced that he had signed a new contract with Universal Music at the beginning of 2011 and in 2012 released his ninth studio album La Musica no se Toca. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi

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Music

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  • Camino De Rosas
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    Camino De Rosas
  • Se Vende (Terra Live Music)
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    Se Vende (Terra Live Music)
  • Yo Te Traigo... 20 Años (Terra Live Music)
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    Yo Te Traigo... 20 Años (Terra Live Music)
  • Mi Marciana (Terra Live Music)
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    Mi Marciana (Terra Live Music)
  • No Me Compares (Terra Live Music)
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    No Me Compares (Terra Live Music)
  • La Música No Se Toca (Terra Live Music)
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    La Música No Se Toca (Terra Live Music)
  • Camino De Rosas (Terra Live Music)
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    Camino De Rosas (Terra Live Music)
  • Mi Marciana (Live From Premios Lo Nuestro / 2013)
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    Mi Marciana (Live From Premios Lo Nuestro / 2013)
  • Trailer Tour La Música No Se Toca 2013
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    Trailer Tour La Música No Se Toca 2013
  • Mi Marciana
    alejandro-sanz
    Video
    Mi Marciana

Photos

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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Courtesy of Warner Music Latina
  • Alejandro Sanz
    Giselle Betancourt

News

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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Alejandro Sanz Recruits Alicia Keys, Sets Date For 'Paradise' | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz will release his new album, "Paraíso Express," on Nov. 10, the artist announced today (Sept. 22). The album's...
    Read More
  • Alejandro Sanz
    Latin singer Alejandro Sanz searches for paradise
    music.yahoo.com
    together. I think that's what it's all about." "Paraiso Express" is Sanz's eighth studio album in three years, and he linked up with producers Swizz B...
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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Watch Alejandro Sanz Talk Alicia Keys Duet | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    "We got emotional, it was magic in the studio working with her," singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz says of his duet partner Alicia Keys in an on-camera...
    Read More
  • Alejandro Sanz
    Alejandro Sanz, Juan Luis Guerra Lead Latin Grammy Nominations | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    Among them, the best-known is singer/songwriter Alex Cuba (who writes with Nelly Furtado, among others), Estrella, María Gadú, Koko and Mexican band J...
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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Alejandro Sanz Back In Venezuela | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    Spanish pop star Alejandro Sanz is in Venezuela to perform for the first time in years after concerts in 2007 and 2008 were canceled amid friction bet...
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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Alejandro Sanz Back in Venezuela Despite Tension with Chavez | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    Spanish pop star Alejandro Sanz is in Venezuela to perform for the first time in years after concerts in 2007 and 2008 were canceled amid friction bet...
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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Alejandro Sanz Appeals to Hugo Chavez | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    stop singing immediately," he said. The next day, Chávez supporters swiftly gathered 230,000 signatures asking for Sanz to quit singing. His scheduled...
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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Spanish pop star Alejandro Sanz marries girlfriend
    music.yahoo.com
    RELATED CONTENTView Photo In this photo, taken Saturday, May 26, 2012 and released by Rondene Public Relations ... MADRID (AP) -- Spanish pop star Ale...
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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Alejandro Sanz Q&A: On 'Big' New Album, Reality TV & Surrounding Himself With Women on Tour | Billboard
    www.billboard.com
    Alejandro Sanz -- the top-selling act in Spain's history -- has released "La Música No Se Toca" (Music Is Not To Be Touched), his 12th studio album an...
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  • Alejandro Sanz
    Latin Grammy Awards Predictions: Ricardo Arjona, Alejandro Sanz + More | Billboard
    www.billboard.com
    Year: Ten slots to fill, and still no major hits here. Our vote goes to Jesse & Joy's "Corre," a genuine, natural hit-fresh, heartfelt and sincere-whi...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • May 29 Wednesday
    Barcelona, Spain Palau Sant Jordi
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  • May 30 Thursday
    Barcelona, Spain Palau Sant Jordi
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  • Jun 1 Saturday
    Bilbao, Spain Bilbao Arena Miribilla
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  • Jun 7 Friday
    Murcia, Spain Murcia Plaza De Toros La Condomina - Bullring
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  • Jun 8 Saturday
    Elche, Spain Ifa Alicante
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  • Jun 15 Saturday
    La Coruna, Spain Coliseum
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  • Jun 19 Wednesday
    Seville, Spain Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja
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  • Jun 21 Friday
    Granada, Spain Palacio Deportes de Granada
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  • Jun 22 Saturday
    Malaga, Spain Palacio De Los Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena
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  • Jun 26 Wednesday
    Madrid, Spain Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid
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  • Jun 27 Thursday
    Madrid, Spain Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid
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  • Jun 29 Saturday
    Valladolid, Spain Valladolid Plaza De Toros Arroyo De La Encomienda - Bullring
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  • Jul 3 Wednesday
    Palma De Mallorca, Spain Palma Plaza De Toros Del Coliseo Balear - Bullring
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  • Jul 5 Friday
    Córdoba, Spain Córdoba Plaza De Toros De Los Califas - Bullring
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  • Jul 6 Saturday
    Cadiz, Spain Estadio Ramón De Carranza
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  • Jul 27 Saturday
    Almería, Spain Campo Anex Estadio Juegos Del Mediterraneo
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  • Aug 11 Sunday
    Marbella, Spain La Cantera - Auditorio De Marbella
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Discography

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  • La Música No Se Toca (2012)
    Alejandro Sanz
    La Música No Se Toca (2012)
    Universal Spain S.L.
  • Paraiso Total (2010)
    Alejandro Sanz
    Paraiso Total (2010)
    WEA Spain
  • Canciones Para un Paraíso en Vivo (2010)
    Alejandro Sanz
    Canciones Para un Paraíso en Vivo (2010)
  • Paraíso Express (2009)
    Alejandro Sanz
    Paraíso Express (2009)
    Warner Music
  • El Tren de los Momentos: En Vivo Desde Buenos Aires (2007)
    Alejandro Sanz
    El Tren de los Momentos: En Vivo Desde Buenos Aires (2007)
    WM Spain
  • El Tren de los Momentos (2006)
    Alejandro Sanz
    El Tren de los Momentos (2006)
    WB
  • No Es lo Mismo (2003)
    Alejandro Sanz
    No Es lo Mismo (2003)
    WEA Latina
  • MTV Unplugged (2001)
    Alejandro Sanz
    MTV Unplugged (2001)
    WEA Latina
  • El Alma al Aire (2000)
    Alejandro Sanz
    El Alma al Aire (2000)
    WEA Latina
  • Más (1997)
    Alejandro Sanz
    Más (1997)
    WEA Latina
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