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About the performer
Juanes
Visit this artist's website: http://www.juanes.net
Colombian superstar Juanes makes his Hollywood Bowl headlining debut as part of Gustavo Dudamel’s first festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Americas & Americans, which embodies Dudamel’s vision of one American culture and unity across continents.
In critical respect and in global commercial success, JUANES is the leading all-Spanish language music artist in the world. Both an electrifying guitarist and a gifted songwriter, Juanes is known for his belief in the possibility of social change through music. With multi-platinum worldwide sales of over 12 million albums, a Grammy, and a record-setting 17 Latin Grammy awards, it is evident that millions of fans have adopted the songs of this poetic rocker as anthems for Latino pride and prayers for peace and the strength of love. With record-setting chart runs for multiple #1 albums and singles, it is no wonder that Billboard recently declared Juanes as Latin Music’s “Star of The Decade.”
Born Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez in Medellin, Colombia, Juanes developed his deep love of music through family and learned to play guitar at a young age. At the age of 16, he became a founding member/principal guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for Ekhymosis, which went on to fame as Colombia’s leading hard-rock band. Looking to expand his music further, Juanes relocated to Los Angles in the late ’90s and was eventually signed by multiple Grammy and Oscar winning producer Gustavo Santaolalla. Their collaboration took the international Latin rock scene by storm with the release of Juanes’ solo debut album Fíjate Bien in 2000. Showcasing the beginning of Juanes’ trademark fusing of rock with elements of traditional Colombian music such as vallenato, the record was hailed by music critics and went on to garner seven Latin Grammy nominations (winning three), and set the foundation for Juanes’ approaching ascendancy to the rank of international superstar.
With five subsequent solo albums including his recent MTV Unplugged release, along with his world tours, Juanes’ global impact has continued to grow. He was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, and his dedication as a global activist extends far beyond his passionate lyrics, as can be seen in the philanthropic causes to which he dedicates his continued time and energy. Through the work of his own Fundación Mi Sangre, Juanes is recognized as a leading crusader in the fight against the use of anti-personnel mines around the world. He is also lauded around the world as a co-founder and principal organizer of the historic Paz Sin Fronteras (Peace Without Borders) concerts. The first united 200,000 people at the border of Colombia and Venezuela in a demand for regional peace. The second, on The United Nations’ International Day of Peace in 2009, saw a record-breaking 1.2 million Cubans fill Havana’s Revolution Square in a demonstration of unity and the hope for “One Cuban Family”.