New York (Top40 Charts/ Caprio Media Design) - The voice is unmistakable. That velvety croon, with tinges of R&B and jazz that can swiftly go from humor-one can almost hear the smile-to unabashed, suave romance, have become trademarks for Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter, Jon Secada. On
September 22, 2009, Secada returns to his roots (no, not his Latin roots, his Jazz roots) with the release of "Expressions: The Jazz Album" (The Orchard), which will coincide with the kick-off of a week-long engagement at Feinstein's at Loews Regency in New York, a national PBS television special with
Jim Brickman ("
Beautiful World") and, his fourth season starring on "Latin American Idol."
Jon Secada is known by millions as an international superstar who has sold over 20 million records worldwide, written and produced his own hits as well as those for such artists as Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. What many do not know is that Jon received his Master's Degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from the University of Miami and finds much of his musical inspiration and passion for this album from such vocalists at Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Hartman and Joe Williams.
"Expressions: The Jazz Album" is a stunning collection of new songs, classic standards and Secada hits - all with a twist and Jon's own jazz-flavored arrangements. Songs include the evergreen favorites "Chances Are" and "What A Wonderful World," the Secada hits "Angel" and "Just Another Day" and, some new tunes including "Find Me In Your Dreams," a touching tribute to his children. In addition, Jon is joined by such legendary and respected musicians as Mike Levine (piano), Alex Berti (bass) and Lee Levin (drums), as well as featured guest performances by Dave Koz (tenor saxophone), Ed Calle (tenor and soprano saxophone) and Jason Carder (trumpet).
After starting his career as a songwriter and background vocalist for superstar Gloria Estefan, Jon's 1992 self-titled debut album sold more than six million copies worldwide and was certified triple platinum in the U.S.A, where it reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart. He later scored a Top 5 hit with the single "Just Another Day," and three more top 30 hits, "Angel," "I'm Free," and "Do You Believe in Us?" The Spanish-language version of the album, "Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte," became the Number One Latin album of 1992 and earned Jon his first Grammy Award, for Best Latin Pop Album. This landmark success was followed in 1994 by Jon's second album, "Heart Soul and Voice," which went Platinum in the U.S.A. and spun off the Top 10 hit "If You Go" and a Top 30 hit "Mental Picture." His third album, "Amor," was released in 1995 and earned the singer his second Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance.
In 1995, Jon took a step out of the music spotlight and on to the Broadway stage where he dazzled audiences and critics as the first-ever Latin Danny Zuko in the revival of "Grease." In 2003 Jon returned to Broadway and received more critical acclaim for his starring role as the Emcee in the Sam Mendes production of "Cabaret." Following Broadway, Jon went on to star in a tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." When he returned to pop music in 2006 with "Same Dream," once again Secada received more rave reviews and the CD was hailed by Billboard as "the kind of meticulously produced album that most of us thought were a thing of the past."
Jon, a musician who is always on the cutting edge, is followed by more than 250,000 members on Twitter, and can be seen live during a week-long preview of material from "Expressions" at the intimate club, Feinstein's at Loews Regency, in New York from September 15 through September 19, 2009.
For more information regarding the new CD, live shows or Latin American Idol, visit: www.jonsecada.com
