Alex, Jorge y Lena
Encyclopedia
Alex, Jorge y Lena is a Latin supergroup
formed in 2010. The group consists of singer-songwriter
s and multi-instrumentalist
s Lena Burke, Álex Ubago
and Jorge Villamizar
. Their sound reflects influences from all three members, who played instruments and wrote all the tracks on the album Alex, Jorge y Lena which was released in September 2010. The first single, "Estar Contigo", charted in the United States. The lyrics in the album are mostly about love and relationships.
Villamizar is better known as the lead member of the band Bacilos
and as a songwriter for various artists. Ubago and Burke had solo careers before joining the project, which is intended to be short-lived to allowed them to continue with their careers separately. Alex, Jorge y Lena has received nominations for the Lo Nuestro
and a Latin Grammy Awards.
and Colombian lyricist Jorge Villamizar
. In 2004, Villamizar and Ubago met at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival
in Chile. The following year Villamizar was introduced to Burke in Miami, where Burke met Ubago the next year (2006) while he was promoting an album. After this, the three artists maintained a close relationship. Villamizar and Burke got together in 2009 to record songs for a new project and they decided to include Ubago, since they share a friendship with him. The newly formed ensemble was welcomed enthusiastically by Warner Music. Villamizar described their collaboration, saying that "This is not a band, it is a songwriters union. We are performers and each one has a career, but we wanted to record this album together."
is a Spanish singer-songwriter who taught himself to sing, and at the age of 22 released his debut album ¿Qué pides tú?
. The album sold 900,000 units in Spain and was certified 2X platinum in Mexico. Ubago received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist
in 2003, which he lost to fellow Spanish perfomer David Bisbal
. His album Fantasía o Realidad
was released in 2004, as was very successful as his first. Ubago was nominated again for a Latin Grammy for Calle Ilusión
which peaked at number three in the Spanish Albums Charts.
Lena Burke is a Cuban singer-songwriter who took both guitar
and classical piano
lessons as a child. Burke started her musical career singing backing vocals on albums by Gloria Estefan
, Julio Iglesias
, Jennifer Lopez
, Thalía
, Jaci Velasquez
, Chayanne
, and Alejandro Sanz
. Sanz was impressed by Burke and introduce her to executives at his label, who signed her. Her debut single, "Tu Corazón" (a duet with Sanz and produced by Emanuele Ruffinengo and Bob Benozzo) received a Latin Grammy nomination for Song of the Year
. Her second album La Mala was released in 2008.
Jorge Villamizar
is a Colombian singer-songwriter who came to prominence as the lead member of the band Bacilos
, which he formed with classmates of the University of Miami
(André Lopes playing bass and José Javier Freire on percussion). Bacilos released independently the album Madera in 1999. The following year they recorded their first album with Warner Music, which garnered a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Caraluna
(2002) was released and earned the band a Grammy Award
for Best Latin Pop Album
, and Villamizar was awarded the Latin Grammy for Best Tropical Song
for the second single "Mi Primer Millón
". The album Sin Vergüenza
was awarded a Latin Grammy and featured the band's only top ten single in the Billboard Top Latin Songs "Pasos de Gigante", which peaked at number eight. Bacilos disbanded in 2007 and Villamizar made his full-length solo album debut in 2008. Villamizar is known also for his songwriting abilities with fellow perfomers such as Marc Anthony
, Obie Bermúdez
, Julieta Venegas
and Paulina Rubio
.
and 17 at the Mexican Albums Chart
. Alex, Jorge y Lena held a promotional tour in Spain and Latin America. The trio received a nomination for Breakthrough Artist at the Lo Nuestro Awards
in 2011, which they lost to Jencarlos Canela
. At the award show
, Alex, Jorge y Lena performed "Estar Contigo". "La Canción del Pescado" ("The Fish Song") was the second single from the album and was released April 2011. The track peaked at number 37 in the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart. In July 2011 "Las Cosas Que Me Encantan" ("The Things I Love") and "Si Ya No Tengo Tu Corazón" ("If I Do Not Have Your Heart") were released as the third and fourth singles from the album, respectively. Alex, Jorge y Lena recorded a music video for "Si Ya No Tengo Tu Corazón" during a live concert in Mexico City as a part of their promotional tour. The video for "Las Cosas Que Me Encantan" was also recorded in Mexico City, with additional footage from their live performance at the Festival Valladolid in Spain. On September 14, 2011, Alex, Jorge y Lena received two Latin Grammy Award
nominations, for Album of the Year
and Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their 2010 release, with an aditional nomination for Aureo Baqueiro as Producer of the Year
for his work on the album.
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
formed in 2010. The group consists of singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
s and multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
s Lena Burke, Álex Ubago
Álex Ubago
Álex Ubago is a Spanish singer-songwriter. He is especially known for his heartfelt voice and his ballads. He rose to stardom in 2001, when he appeared as a guest on a hit TV show in Spain. Alex started to tour national radios with his guitar to sing his songs live and be interviewed...
and Jorge Villamizar
Jorge Villamizar
Jorge Villamizar is a Colombian musician; singer and composer, leader of the band Bacilos, and one of the most representative Latin American singers. He has lived in Miami since 1992.- Early life:...
. Their sound reflects influences from all three members, who played instruments and wrote all the tracks on the album Alex, Jorge y Lena which was released in September 2010. The first single, "Estar Contigo", charted in the United States. The lyrics in the album are mostly about love and relationships.
Villamizar is better known as the lead member of the band Bacilos
Bacilos
Bacilos was a Colombian group based in Miami, Florida, USA. Their album Caraluna won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Pop Latin Album and its 2004 release Sin Vergüenza has again been nominated for Best Latin Pop Album in the Grammy Awards of 2005...
and as a songwriter for various artists. Ubago and Burke had solo careers before joining the project, which is intended to be short-lived to allowed them to continue with their careers separately. Alex, Jorge y Lena has received nominations for the Lo Nuestro
Lo Nuestro Awards
Lo Nuestro is an awards show honoring the best of Latin music, presented by television network Univision. The awards began in 1989. Notable recipients include Selena, Gloria Estefan, Juan Gabriel, Olga Tañón, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Laura Pausini, Luis Miguel, Maná, Juan Luis Guerra, ...
and a Latin Grammy Awards.
Background
Alex, Jorge y Lena is formed by Cuban singer-songwriter Lena Burke, Spanish performer Álex UbagoÁlex Ubago
Álex Ubago is a Spanish singer-songwriter. He is especially known for his heartfelt voice and his ballads. He rose to stardom in 2001, when he appeared as a guest on a hit TV show in Spain. Alex started to tour national radios with his guitar to sing his songs live and be interviewed...
and Colombian lyricist Jorge Villamizar
Jorge Villamizar
Jorge Villamizar is a Colombian musician; singer and composer, leader of the band Bacilos, and one of the most representative Latin American singers. He has lived in Miami since 1992.- Early life:...
. In 2004, Villamizar and Ubago met at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival
Viña del Mar International Song Festival
The Viña del Mar International Song Festival is a music festival held annually during February since 1960 in Viña del Mar, Chile. It is considered the most important musical event in Latin America....
in Chile. The following year Villamizar was introduced to Burke in Miami, where Burke met Ubago the next year (2006) while he was promoting an album. After this, the three artists maintained a close relationship. Villamizar and Burke got together in 2009 to record songs for a new project and they decided to include Ubago, since they share a friendship with him. The newly formed ensemble was welcomed enthusiastically by Warner Music. Villamizar described their collaboration, saying that "This is not a band, it is a songwriters union. We are performers and each one has a career, but we wanted to record this album together."
Members
Álex UbagoÁlex Ubago
Álex Ubago is a Spanish singer-songwriter. He is especially known for his heartfelt voice and his ballads. He rose to stardom in 2001, when he appeared as a guest on a hit TV show in Spain. Alex started to tour national radios with his guitar to sing his songs live and be interviewed...
is a Spanish singer-songwriter who taught himself to sing, and at the age of 22 released his debut album ¿Qué pides tú?
¿Qué Pides Tú?
¿Qué pides tú? is the debut studio album title from Alex Ubago. It was released on October 1, 2001 in Spain in the middle of the Operación Triunfo boom...
. The album sold 900,000 units in Spain and was certified 2X platinum in Mexico. Ubago received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist
Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist
The Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists, nationally and internationally...
in 2003, which he lost to fellow Spanish perfomer David Bisbal
David Bisbal
David Bisbal Ferré is a Grammy-winning Spanish pop singer. He gained his initial fame as a runner up on the interactive reality television show Operación Triunfo produced by TJ Hall....
. His album Fantasía o Realidad
Fantasía o Realidad
Fantasía o realidad is the second studio album release from Álex Ubago. It was released on November 24, 2003 in Spain. It was certified 3× Platinum in Spain and Platinum+Gold in Mexico.-Track listing:# Aunque no te pueda ver# Fantasía o realidad...
was released in 2004, as was very successful as his first. Ubago was nominated again for a Latin Grammy for Calle Ilusión
Calle Ilusión
Calle Ilusión is the fourth album from Álex Ubago. It was released on March 10, 2009 in Spain.-Track listing:# Amarrado a Ti # Me Arrepiento# Amsterdam# 20 Horas de Nada# Calle Ilusión# Ciudad Desierta# No Estás Sola...
which peaked at number three in the Spanish Albums Charts.
Lena Burke is a Cuban singer-songwriter who took both guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and classical piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons as a child. Burke started her musical career singing backing vocals on albums by Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan
Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García de Estefan; known professionally as Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-born American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known as the "Queen Of Latin Pop", she is in the top 100 best selling music artists with over 100 million albums sold worldwide, 31.5 million of those...
, Julio Iglesias
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
, Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, Thalía
Thalía
Ariadna Thalía Sodi Miranda , known simply by the mononym Thalía , is a Mexican singer and actress. She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide...
, Jaci Velasquez
Jaci Velasquez
Jacquelyn Davette Velasquez is an American Contemporary Christian and Latin Pop singer—in both English and Spanish languages....
, Chayanne
Chayanne
Elmer Figueroa Arce , best known under the stage name Chayanne, is a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor. As a solo artist, Chayanne has released 21 solo-albums and sold over 20 million albums worldwide.-Early life:...
, and Alejandro Sanz
Alejandro Sanz
Alejandro Sanz , is a Spanish singer-songwriter and musician. For his work, Sanz has won a total of fifteen Latin Grammy Awards and three Grammy Awards. He has won the Latin Grammy for Album of the Year three times, more than any other artist...
. Sanz was impressed by Burke and introduce her to executives at his label, who signed her. Her debut single, "Tu Corazón" (a duet with Sanz and produced by Emanuele Ruffinengo and Bob Benozzo) received a Latin Grammy nomination for Song of the Year
Latin Grammy Award for Song of the Year
The Latin Grammy Award for Song of the Year is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence, creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally...
. Her second album La Mala was released in 2008.
Jorge Villamizar
Jorge Villamizar
Jorge Villamizar is a Colombian musician; singer and composer, leader of the band Bacilos, and one of the most representative Latin American singers. He has lived in Miami since 1992.- Early life:...
is a Colombian singer-songwriter who came to prominence as the lead member of the band Bacilos
Bacilos
Bacilos was a Colombian group based in Miami, Florida, USA. Their album Caraluna won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Pop Latin Album and its 2004 release Sin Vergüenza has again been nominated for Best Latin Pop Album in the Grammy Awards of 2005...
, which he formed with classmates of the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
(André Lopes playing bass and José Javier Freire on percussion). Bacilos released independently the album Madera in 1999. The following year they recorded their first album with Warner Music, which garnered a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Caraluna
Caraluna
-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic....
(2002) was released and earned the band a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Latin Pop Album
Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
The Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album was awarded from 1984 to 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1984 to 1991 the award was known as Best Latin Pop Performance*From 1992 to 1994 it was awarded as Best Latin Pop Album...
, and Villamizar was awarded the Latin Grammy for Best Tropical Song
Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song
The Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally . The award is...
for the second single "Mi Primer Millón
Mi Primer Millón
"Mi Primer Millón" is the second single of the album Caraluna by band Bacilos written by Sergio George and Jorge Villamizar. The song won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song in 2003.-Chart performance:...
". The album Sin Vergüenza
Sin Vergüenza (album)
Sin Vergüenza is the third studio album recorded by Bacilos released on September 28, 2004.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic....
was awarded a Latin Grammy and featured the band's only top ten single in the Billboard Top Latin Songs "Pasos de Gigante", which peaked at number eight. Bacilos disbanded in 2007 and Villamizar made his full-length solo album debut in 2008. Villamizar is known also for his songwriting abilities with fellow perfomers such as Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
, Obie Bermúdez
Obie Bermúdez
Obie Bermúdez , is a Puerto Rican-American R&B/Salsa singer and composer.-Early years:Bermúdez was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico into a family who loved music. His father and grandfather were both musicians. He received his primary education in the town of Aibonito, however in 1992 the family...
, Julieta Venegas
Julieta Venegas
Julieta Venegas Percevault , known professionally as Julieta Venegas, is a Mexican singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and producer, who sings pop-rock in Spanish. She speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish fluently. She has a twin sister, Yvonne, who is a photographer...
and Paulina Rubio
Paulina Rubio
Paulina Susana Rubio Rue is a Mexican singer and actress. Rubio achieved international stardom with her fifth studio album, Paulina...
.
Recording process and release
Burke, Ubago and Villamizar recorded their debut album as Alex, Jorge y Lena under the production guidance of Mexican singer-songwriter Aureo Baqueiro. The album includes songs written and performed by the trio. The first single "Estar Contigo" ("Be With You"), released to radio on July 26, 2010, was written by Ubago and was originally recorded only by him and Burke. About the song Villamizar noted: "When I heard the song with their voices, I said 'I do not sing'". Then they sent him to the label, who immediately said, "Where's Jorge?" and returned the song to be completed between the three, and instead of being a romantic love song, became a love song that can be applied to a relation between father and son or friends. The track peaked at number 22 in the Billboard Top Latin Songs chart. The album, as stated by Ubago, includes 12 tracks since they had a lot of material to choose from, "everything was very fluid, we felt the chemistry and also the stars lined up." Each member played an instrument: Villamizar and Ubago played guitar and Burke played piano. Alex, Jorge y Lena was released on September 21, 2010 and peaked at number 13 in the Billboard Latin Pop AlbumsLatin Pop Albums
Latin Pop Albums is a record chart published on Billboard magazine. It features Latin music information of the Pop music genre. Established in June 1985, this chart features only full length albums and like all album charts on Billboard, is based on sales. The information is compiled by Nielsen...
and 17 at the Mexican Albums Chart
Top 100 Mexico
Top 100 México is a record chart which accounts for sixty percent of the albums sold in Mexico. The chart has the support of major record distributors in Mexico and is issued by the Mexican Association of Producers of Phonograms and Videograms, A.C. since 2005 on a weekly basis...
. Alex, Jorge y Lena held a promotional tour in Spain and Latin America. The trio received a nomination for Breakthrough Artist at the Lo Nuestro Awards
Lo Nuestro Awards
Lo Nuestro is an awards show honoring the best of Latin music, presented by television network Univision. The awards began in 1989. Notable recipients include Selena, Gloria Estefan, Juan Gabriel, Olga Tañón, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Laura Pausini, Luis Miguel, Maná, Juan Luis Guerra, ...
in 2011, which they lost to Jencarlos Canela
Jencarlos Canela
Jencarlos Canela is an American actor and musician. He is best known for playing the leading roles in the telenovelas Más Sabe el Diablo and Mi Corazón Insiste.-Biography:...
. At the award show
Premio Lo Nuestro 2011
Premio Lo Nuestro 2011 was held on Thursday February 17, 2011 at The American Airlines Arena and was broadcasted live on the Univision Network. The nominees were announced on December 2, 2010 during a live televised show "Gala de Nominados", hosted by Lourdes Stephen from Sal y Pimienta and Poncho...
, Alex, Jorge y Lena performed "Estar Contigo". "La Canción del Pescado" ("The Fish Song") was the second single from the album and was released April 2011. The track peaked at number 37 in the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart. In July 2011 "Las Cosas Que Me Encantan" ("The Things I Love") and "Si Ya No Tengo Tu Corazón" ("If I Do Not Have Your Heart") were released as the third and fourth singles from the album, respectively. Alex, Jorge y Lena recorded a music video for "Si Ya No Tengo Tu Corazón" during a live concert in Mexico City as a part of their promotional tour. The video for "Las Cosas Que Me Encantan" was also recorded in Mexico City, with additional footage from their live performance at the Festival Valladolid in Spain. On September 14, 2011, Alex, Jorge y Lena received two Latin Grammy Award
Latin Grammy Awards of 2011
The 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards was held on November 10, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and was hosted by Lucero and Cristián de la Fuente. The eligibility period for recordings to be nominated is July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011...
nominations, for Album of the Year
Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year
The Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally...
and Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their 2010 release, with an aditional nomination for Aureo Baqueiro as Producer of the Year
Latin Grammy Award for Producer of the Year
The Latin Grammy Award for Producer of the Year is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists, in the United States and internationally...
for his work on the album.
Awards and nominations
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lo Nuestro Awards Lo Nuestro Awards Lo Nuestro is an awards show honoring the best of Latin music, presented by television network Univision. The awards began in 1989. Notable recipients include Selena, Gloria Estefan, Juan Gabriel, Olga Tañón, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Laura Pausini, Luis Miguel, Maná, Juan Luis Guerra, ... |
February 17, 2011 Premio Lo Nuestro 2011 Premio Lo Nuestro 2011 was held on Thursday February 17, 2011 at The American Airlines Arena and was broadcasted live on the Univision Network. The nominees were announced on December 2, 2010 during a live televised show "Gala de Nominados", hosted by Lourdes Stephen from Sal y Pimienta and Poncho... |
Breakthrough Artist | Alex, Jorge y Lena | |
| Latin Grammy Awards Latin Grammy Awards A Latin Grammy Award is an accolade by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. Unlike the regular Grammy Award which primarily honors music produced in the United States, the Latin Grammy honors works produced anywhere around the... |
November 10, 2011 Latin Grammy Awards of 2011 The 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards was held on November 10, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and was hosted by Lucero and Cristián de la Fuente. The eligibility period for recordings to be nominated is July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011... |
Album of the Year Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year The Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally... |
Alex, Jorge y Lena | |
| Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocals | ||||