No matter the genre – pop, classical or flamenco – Spanish musicians have brought a distinct and stylish sound to music around the world. From iconic cantautores like Cantoblanco and Enrique Morente to female songwriters making waves today – they have left a mark in this industry.
Joaquin Sabina began writing and composing poetry at an early age. Later he formed a band paying homage to Elvis and Chuck Berry and sang songs covering topics like love and heartbreak.
David Bisbal
David Bisbal enjoys an enormous following that spans across the world. He particularly enjoys Cava, and likes spending his free time in Almeria where he can “disappear in anonymity”.
His career took off following his appearance on Operacion Triunfo (the Spanish version of Star Academy). Subsequently, he signed with Vale Music record label and released his debut album Corazon Latino alongside Kike Santander.
After performing live at Teatro Real and recording studio albums such as Tu y Yo and Sufriras, Santander earned recognition as an accomplished songwriter with the 2009 album Sin Mirar Atras; for which he received credit as sole author.
Pablo Alboran
Pablo Alboran has experienced rapid success since the release of his self-titled debut album in 2011. “Perdoname”, recorded with Carminho, helped propel this album to immense success, reaching number one on Spain’s singles chart as well as the albums chart on RTVE.
Attracting fans through his emotive blend of acoustic pop combining flamenco-style guitar with passionate love songs, this singer has enjoyed chart-topping albums since 2014. He has earned three Latin Grammy nominations, one Goya Award, and nine Los 40 Music Awards; most recently his third studio album Terral was released featuring duets with Estrella Morente and Diana Navarro.
Jose Carreras
Carreras was the son of a traffic cop and hairdresser; early musical talent was evident at an early age, when he sang and demonstrated vocal prowess. Carreras first discovered opera at age six after seeing Mario Lanza perform in The Great Caruso; upon seeing Mario perform these arias aloud to his family he quickly became enthralled with it and started singing them as well.
Catalan tenor Iaki Becerra was once considered one of the greatest young singers worldwide, but his life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with leukemia and given only a one-in-ten chance to survive. Yet somehow he managed to pull through and later went on to perform at some of the world’s premier opera houses and festivals.
Jose Carreras’ story of both tragedy and success has resonated with millions of followers worldwide, inspiring him to establish the Jose Carreras International Leukemia Foundation.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez first made her debut at age seven as part of children’s show Barney & Friends, later appearing in several tween-oriented TV shows including The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana before landing her first starring role on Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place in 2007.
Gomez has long taken great pride in her Latina heritage and recently made an emphatic return with her appearance on DJ Snake’s global hit “Taki Taki”, alongside Cardi B and Ozuna from Latin music. Additionally, she released a music video of their collaboration.
Alfredo Kraus
Born to an Austrian father and Spanish mother in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the Canary Islands, Kraus began music lessons at four. He also studied baritone with Francisco Kraus, his elder brother. Kraus made his professional operatic debut in 1956 as Duke in Rigoletto; subsequent success led him to select repertoire that highlighted his exquisite style and distinctive timbre.
Kraus, an esteemed lyric tenor, rose to fame through zarzuelas and Italian and French opera performances, particularly his portrayals of Werther in particular. Throughout his career, he upheld musical interpretation with dignity – until his untimely passing in Madrid on September 10, 1999.
Marta Sanchez
Marta Sanchez is a celebrated Spanish singer-songwriter and composer, known for her collaborations with Alejandro Sanz, Juan Magan and Malu.
Sanchez stands out in New York’s contemporary jazz scene as an exceptional musician with intricate, technically challenging compositions that are both powerful and emotive.
On her piano left hand, she often uses high eighth-note octaves to lull our ears into an almost familiar time signature, before she and bassist Rashaan Carter ingeniously weave around back-forth improvisational lines by alto saxophonist Alex LoRe and tenor saxophonist Roman Filiu’s alto and tenor saxophone players Alex LoRe and Roman Filiu respectively – making for music that’s quizzical yet dizzying yet deeply satisfying on its best tracks!