View source for Jon Secada

{{for|the album|Jon Secada (album)}}
{{short description|American singer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{family name hatnote|Secada|Ramírez|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Jon Secada
| image              = Jon Secada Headshot.jpg
| alt                = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption            = Secada in 2017
| birth_name         = Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1961|10|04}}
| birth_place        = [[Havana, Cuba]]
| education          = [[University of Miami]]
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Singer
* songwriter
* actor
* record producer
}}
| years_active       = 1991–present
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Jo Pat Cafro|1988|1993|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Maritere Vilar|1997}}
}}
| children           = 2
| website            = {{Official URL}}
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| origin        = [[Miami, Florida]], U.S.
| genre         = {{flatlist|
* [[Pop music|Pop]]
* [[Latin music|Latin]]
* [[Latin pop]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
* [[funk]]
* [[pop rock]]
}}
| instrument    = Vocals
| label         = {{flatlist|
* [[SBK Records|SBK]]
* [[EMI Records|EMI]]
}}
}}
}}
'''Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez''' (born October 4, 1961), better known as '''Jon Secada''', is a [[Cuba|Cuban]]-born American<ref name=pop/><ref name=sides/> singer, songwriter, actor and record producer. He has won two [[Grammy Award]]s and sold 15 million records,<ref name="Secada">{{cite web |url=https://archivo.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/88802.html |title=Vuelve Jon Secada a los escenarios |work=[[El Universal (Mexico City)|El Universal]] |date=September 11, 2002 |location=Mexico|language=es}}</ref> making him one of the [[List of best-selling Latin music artists|best-selling Latin music artists]]. His music fuses [[funk]], [[soul music]], pop, and Latin percussion.

Secada has written songs for [[Gloria Estefan]], [[Ricky Martin]], and [[Jennifer Lopez]]. He has toured with [[Luciano Pavarotti]] and recorded duets with [[Jim Brickman]], [[Olivia Newton-John]], and [[Frank Sinatra]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bergenpac.org/events/detail/jon-secada-1 | title=Jon Secada | work=[[Bergen Performing Arts Center]]}}</ref>

Secada has performed several times at ''[[A Capitol Fourth]]'', an annual [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] concert from the [[United States Capitol]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=MUSIC FILLS THE AIR TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/06/29/music-fills-the-air-to-celebrate-americas-birthday/ |website=Chicago Tribune |date=1997-06-29}}</ref>

==Early life==
Secada was born in 1961 in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]].<ref name=sides>{{cite news | url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1995-04-07-9504050356-story.html | title=JON SECADA SEES SUCCESS FROM ALL SIDES | work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] | date=April 7, 1995}}</ref> Secada's father, José, was incarcerated for 3 years as a [[political prisoner]] by the communist Cuban government. In 1971, the Secadas received permission to emigrate and moved to Miami.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jon-secada-immigrant-story_n_588fdcbfe4b0522c7d3cabf7 | title=Latin Superstar From The '90s Shares His Powerful Immigrant Story | first=Lisa | last=Capretto | work=[[HuffPost]] | date=January 31, 2017}}</ref> His parents opened a coffee shop.<ref name=little>{{cite news | url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/sep/16/a-little-of-everything-since-days-with-sound-machi/ | title=A little of everything: Since days with Sound Machine, Jon Secada has built a diverse career | work=[[Las Vegas Sun]] | date=September 16, 2005}}</ref> Secada was raised in [[Hialeah, Florida]].

==Education==
In 1979, Secada graduated from [[Hialeah Senior High School]] in [[Hialeah, Florida]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.miamiherald.com/indulge/culture/article224149390.html | title=Grammy winner Jon Secada goes back to Hialeah with INDULGE | first=EVAN | last=BENN | work=[[The Miami Herald]] | date=July 31, 2018}}</ref> During his performance of ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'' in 11th grade, he says he realized his musical potential and was encouraged by teachers to pursue music as a career.<ref name=sides/>

After graduating from high school, Secada attended the [[Frost School of Music]] at the [[University of Miami]], where he received a [[Bachelor of Music]] in 1983 and a [[Master of Music]] in jazz vocal performance in 1986.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.miami.edu/frost/stories/2011/01/jon-secada-interviewed-on-brazilian-television-show-at-university-of-miami-frost-school-of-music.html | title=Jon Secada interviewed on Brazilian television show at University of Miami Frost School of Music | publisher=[[Frost School of Music]] | date=January 28, 2011}}</ref> He graduated cum laude and was later inducted into the [[Iron Arrow Honor Society]], the highest honor bestowed by the University of Miami.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://jonsecada.com/bio/ | title=Jon Secada: Bio | publisher=Jon Secada}}</ref>

==Career==
[[File:6.2.11JonSecadaByLuigiNovi18.jpg|thumb|upright|Jon Secada with his Plaza's Walk of Fame in Union City, Jersey]]
From 1986 to 1991, Secada was a teacher at [[Miami Dade College]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mdc.edu/main/collegeforum/archive/vol13-5/cultural_spotlight/secada.aspx | title=Learning the ropes with Professor Secada | publisher=[[Miami Dade College]] | date=May 2009}}</ref> 

In 1986, Secada's University of Miami acquaintances introduced him to [[Emilio Estefan]], a musician in [[Miami Sound Machine]] and husband of [[Gloria Estefan]].<ref name=pop>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-12-ca-3362-story.html | title=POP MUSIC: Mr. Melting Pot: Using his Latino and African American heritage as a springboard to multicultural music, singer Jon Secada is realizing his crossover dreams while promoting integration 'because that's what America is about' | first=Michael | last=Walker | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=June 12, 1994}}</ref> Estefan listened to one of Secada's demos and then became Secada's mentor and manager.<ref name=sides/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-05-03-9202060404-story.html | title=ESTEFAN BACKUP FINALLY COMING INTO HIS OWN | first=JOHN | last=LANNERT | work=[[Sun-Sentinel]] | date=May 3, 1992}}</ref> This led to Secada becoming a backup singer for Miami Sound Machine.<ref name=little/>

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.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ocregister.com/2006/03/21/jon-secada-blends-careers-and-a-cause/ | title=Jon Secada blends careers and a cause | work=[[Orange County Register]] | date=March 21, 2006}}</ref> In 1992, he released his [[Jon Secada (album)|self-titled debut album]], which sold 7 million copies.<ref name=little/> In 1994, he performed a duet with [[Frank Sinatra]], a re-recording of "[[The Best Is Yet to Come]]", released on Sinatra's album ''[[Duets II (Frank Sinatra album)|Duets II]]''. He also performed at the awards for [[Miss Venezuela 1994]]. In 1995, he performed on Broadway in ''[[Grease (musical)|Grease]]'',<ref name=little/> and he also presented at the [[49th Tony Awards]]. He also recorded "[[If I Never Knew You]]", a duet with [[Shanice]] for ''[[Pocahontas (1995 film)|Pocahontas]]''. In 1999, he co-wrote and co-produced "[[She's All I Ever Had]]" for [[Ricky Martin]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/release/438581-Ricky-Martin-Shes-All-I-Ever-Had | title=Ricky Martin – She's All I Ever Had | work=[[Discogs]]}}</ref>

In 2003, he performed in ''[[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]''.<ref name=little/> He also co-wrote "[[Juramento (song)|Juramento]]" for Ricky Martin. From 2006 to 2009, Secada was a judge on ''[[Latin American Idol]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/latin-american-idol-judge-jon-secada-makes-final-pitch-for-howard-stern/2099534/ |title="Latin American Idol" Judge Jon Secada Makes Final Pitch for Howard Stern |website=NBC Chicago |date=2010-07-28}}</ref> In 2007, he co-wrote three songs, and performed in one, on [[Lilian Garcia]]'s album ''¡Quiero Vivir!''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/lilianandsecada |title=Lilian Garcia records duet with Jon Secada | work=WWE | date=January 13, 2006}}</ref>

In 2017, he released a [[tribute album]] with [[cover version]]s of songs by [[Benny Moré]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7676257/jon-secada-como-fue-beny-more-premiere | title=Listen to Jon Secada's New Single 'Como Fue,' Feat. Beny More: Exclusive Premiere | first=Griselda | last=Flores | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>

In January 2025, Secada began teaching at the Wertheim School of Music of [[Florida International University]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://wsvn.com/entertainment/3-time-grammy-winning-artist-jon-secada-to-teach-at-fius-wertheim-school-of-music/ | title=3-time Grammy winning artist Jon Secada to teach at FIU’s Wertheim School of Music | work=[[WSVN]] | date=October 30, 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
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<ref>{{cite news | url=https://people.com/archive/true-amor-vol-47-no-9/ | title=True Amor | work=[[People (magazine)|People]] | date=March 10, 1997}}</ref> and have two children.

Secada resides in a 7,284 square-foot house, with a tennis court and pool, a few blocks west of the [[University of Miami]], his alma mater, in [[Coral Gables, Florida]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.floridatrend.com/print/article/18248 | title=Where celebrities live in Florida | first=Mike | last=Vogel | work=[[Florida Trend]] | date=March 25, 2015}}</ref>

Secada has created the Jon Secada Music Scholarship at the University of Miami, raised funds for [[The Recording Academy]]'s effort "Keeping Music in Schools", and supports many initiatives including the Pediatric AIDS Unit at [[Jackson Memorial Hospital]], [[Make-A-Wish Foundation]], and the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2005/09/7490.html | title=Evening with the Stars: Jon Secada, Scott Celani | first=David | last=Wedekindt | publisher=[[University of Buffalo]] | date=September 7, 2005}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Jon Secada discography}}
* ''[[Jon Secada (album)|Jon Secada]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Otro Día Más Sin Verte]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Heart, Soul & a Voice]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Si Te Vas (album)|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 nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" 
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Nominee(s)
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP Latin Music Awards]]
| 2000
| "[[She's All I Ever Had|Bella]]"
| Most Performed Song
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16 |title=Pérez Honored at 8th El Premio ASCAP Gala |last=Pesselnick |first=Jill |magazine=Billboard |volume=112|issue=21 |page=123 |date=May 20, 2000}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan=5|[[ASCAP Pop Music Awards]]
| 1992
| "[[Coming Out of the Dark]]"
| rowspan=5|Most Performed Songs
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-05-30.pdf#page=16 |format=PDF |title=Billboard |page=16 |website=Worldradiohistory.com|date=May 30, 1992}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=3|1994
| "[[Angel (Jon Secada song)|Angel]]"
| {{won}}
| rowspan=3|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA11 |title=Billboard |page=11 | via=[[Google Books]] |date=May 21, 1994}}</ref>
|-
| "[[Do You Believe in Us]]"
| {{won}}
|-
| "[[Just Another Day (Jon Secada song)|Just Another Day]]"
| {{won}}
|-
| 1995
| "I'm Free"
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8 |title=Billboard |page=8 | via=[[Google Books]] |date=May 27, 1995}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan=2|[[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI Latin Awards]]
| 1993
| "[[Just Another Day (Jon Secada song)|Otro Día Más Sin Verte]]"
| Song of the Year
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/gloria_estefan_to_be_named_bmi_icon_at_16th_annual_latin_awards_ceremony|title=Gloria Estefan to be Named BMI Icon at 16th Annual Latin Awards Ceremony |website=Bmi.com |date=January 27, 2009}}</ref>
|-
| 2001
| "[[She's All I Ever Had|Bella]]"
| Award-Winning Song
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/232949 |title=BMI Honors Top Latin Songwriters and Publishers at 8th Annual Awards Ceremony |website=Bmi.com |date=April 20, 2001}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan=8|[[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI Pop Awards]]
| rowspan=4|1994
| "[[Just Another Day (Jon Secada song)|Just Another Day]]"
| rowspan=8|Award-Winning Songs
| {{won}}
| rowspan=4|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA15 | title=Billboard |page=15 | via=[[Google Books]] |date=July 16, 1994}}</ref>
|-
| "[[Do You Believe in Us]]"
| {{won}}
|-
| "[[Angel (Jon Secada song)|Angel]]"
| {{won}}
|-
| "I'm Free"
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=2|1996
| "Mental Picture"
| {{won}}
| rowspan=2|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rwkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA103 |title=Billboard |page=103 | via=[[Google Books]] |date=June 1996}}</ref>
|-
| "[[If You Go (song)|If You Go]]"
| {{won}}
|-
| 1998
| "Too Late Too Soon"
| {{won}}
| rowspan=2|<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://jonsecada.com/discography/ |title=Discography & Awards |website=Jonsecada.com}}</ref>
|-
| 2001
| "[[She's All I Ever Had]]"
| {{won}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[Billboard Music Awards]]
| 1993
| Himself
| Top Adult Contemporary Artist
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/winners-database/?winnerKeyword=Jon+Secada&winnerYear=&winnerCategory= |title=Winners Database |website=Billboardmusicawards.com}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|[[Billboard Latin Music Awards]]
| [[2001 Latin Billboard Music Awards|2001]]
| "Así"
| Latin Dance Club Play Track
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_7AoEAAAAMBAJ |title=Billboard|date=December 15, 1958 |website=Archive.org}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan=1|[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box Year-End Awards]]
| 1994
| "[[If You Go (song)|If You Go]]"
| Top Pop Album
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-12-31.pdf |title=Cash Box |website=Worldradiohistory.com |date=December 31, 1994}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan=3|[[Grammy Awards]]
| rowspan=2|[[1993 Grammy Awards|1993]]
| Himself
| [[Best New Artist]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan=3|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/jon-secada/17384|title=Jon Secada |website=Grammy.com |date=November 23, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Otro Día Más Sin Verte]]''
| [[Best Latin Pop Album]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[1996 Grammy Awards|1996]]
| ''Amor''
| [[Best Latin Pop Performance]]
| {{won}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[List of radio stations in Hong Kong|Hit Awards]] <small>(Hong Kong)</small>
| 1993
| Himself
| Top Male Artist
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.scmp.com/article/42080/pop-war-hotting | title=Pop 'war' hotting up | newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]] | date=August 28, 1993 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20230321042512/https://www.scmp.com/article/42080/pop-war-hotting | archive-date=March 21, 2023 | url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|[[Latin Grammy Awards]]
| [[2017 Latin Grammy Awards|2017]]
| ''To Beny Moré With Love''
| [[Best Traditional Tropical Album]]
| {{won}}
| <ref name="auto"/>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan=7|[[Lo Nuestro Awards]]
| rowspan=5|[[Premio Lo Nuestro 1993|1993]]
| rowspan=2|Himself
| [[Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Male Artist of the Year|Male Artist of the Year, Pop]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan=5|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0w8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10 |title=Billboard | page=10 | via=[[Google Books]] |date=March 13, 1993}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lo Nuestro Award for Pop New Artist of the Year|New Pop Artist of the Year]]
| {{won}}
|-
| ''[[Jon Secada (album)|Jon Secada]]''
| [[Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Album of the Year|Pop Album of the Year]]
| {{won}}
|-
| "[[Angel (Jon Secada song)|Angel]]"
| [[Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Song of the Year|Pop Song of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| "[[Just Another Day (Jon Secada song)|Otro Día Más Sin Verte]]"
| [[Lo Nuestro Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Premio Lo Nuestro 1994|1994]]
| Himself
| [[Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Male Artist of the Year|Male Artist of the Year, Pop]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Premio Lo Nuestro 1995|1995]]
| "[[If You Go (song)|Si Te Vas]]"
| [[Lo Nuestro Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
{{end}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Work
!Result
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan="7" |1993
|BMI Awards
|Most Performed Latin Song
|[[Otro Día Más Sin Verte (song)|"Otro Día Más Sin Verte"]], "[[Sentir]]", and [[Do You Believe in Us|"Cree en Nuestra Amor" (Do You Believe in Us)]]
|{{Won}}
|
|-
|The World Music Awards
|Best-Selling Latin American Recording Artist
|Himself
|{{Won}}
| rowspan="5" |
|-
|The Caribbean Music Awards
|Best New Latin Pop Album
| rowspan="2" |''[[Otro Día Más Sin Verte]]''
|{{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |''Billboard'' Latin Music Awards
|Best Latin-Pop Album of the Year
| rowspan="3" {{Won}}
|-
|Best Latin-Pop Artist
| rowspan="3" |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}}
|}

== Television series ==
* ''[[Alice's Wonderland Bakery]]'' as King of Hearts 

==See also==
*[[List of best-selling Latin music artists]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://jonsecada.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|0005407}}

{{Jon Secada}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Secada, Jon}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Afro-Cuban culture]]
[[Category:American entertainers of Cuban descent]]
[[Category:American Latin pop singers]]
[[Category:American record producers]]
[[Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Hialeah Senior High School alumni]]
[[Category:Latin Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Cuban male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Cuban record producers]]
[[Category:Miami Sound Machine members]]
[[Category:Singers from Miami]]
[[Category:Singers from Havana]]
[[Category:People of Afro–Cuban descent]]
[[Category:University of Miami Frost School of Music alumni]]
[[Category:American people of Afro-Cuban descent]]