Born in Havana, Cuba, Secada arrived in the United States at the age of nine. He later enrolled at the University of Miami where he developed his considerable skills as a songwriter. In the late 1980's he joined Gloria Estefan as a background singer and co-wrote "Coming Out of the Dark," Gloria's number one hit from her 1991 album "Into the Light."
His self-titled solo debut (released 1992) sold six million plus copies worldwide and was certified triple platinum in the U.S., where it reached No. 15 among Billboard Pop albums. He followed with the Gold single "Just Another Day," and three more top 30 hits, "Angel," "I'm Free," and "Do You Believe in Us?" "Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte" (Spanish-language version of the album), became the Number One Latin album of 1992 earning Jon his first Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. His third album, "Amor," (released 1995) brought his second Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance and in 2006, Jon was once again honored when "Songs From The Neighborhood: The Music of Mister Rogers," featuring twelve of today's top artists including Jon, won the Grammy for the "Best Musical Album For Children." Jon has amassed a career sales total of more than 20 million albums worldwide.
His multi-faceted talent extended beyond singer/songwriter when he lent his producing talent to the like of Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Mandy Moore to name only a few. He's performed with opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, recorded a duet with the late Frank Sinatra on "The Best Is Yet to Come" (Sinatra’s Duets II), and starred on Broadway as Danny Zuko in 1995's hit musical Grease, the Emcee role in Sam Mendes' critically acclaimed 2003 version of Cabaret, and as "Joseph" in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s & Tim Rice's theatrical hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2004.
In April 2005 Jon signed a multi-album recording/management deal with Big3 Records/Okie Dokie Management, LLC, headed by Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards. "Same Dream" (released October 2005) includes the Top 10 hit "Window To My Heart," which garnered solid airplay on nationally-syndicated radio shows "Delilah" and "The John Tesh Radio Show." Additionally, over the 2005 holiday, Jon released his new rendition of "Feliz Navidad," which quickly became the 1 most listened to Christmas Current in America.
Apart from his dedication to music, Jon devotes himself various charitable endeavors. He was appointed by President Bush to serve on his Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans with a goal of closing the educational achievement gap between Hispanic students and their peers. His commitment to education and helping others lead him to create the Jon Secada Music Scholarship at the University of Miami. He also raises funds in Washington, D.C. for the NARAS national "Keeping Music in Schools" and is a supporter of many initiatives including the Pediatric Aids Unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Lifebeat Concert to benefit Aids, Amigos Together for Kids, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club, among a host of other charitable organizations.
