José José | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | José Rómulo Sosa-Ortiz |
Also known as | Pepe Sosa |
Born |
Mexico City, Mexico |
17 February 1948
Genres | Romantic ballad, bolero, Latin pop, bossa nova, jazz |
Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer, actor |
Instruments | Vocals, bass, double bass, guitar, piano |
Years active | 1963–2017 |
Labels |
RCA Victor Ariola Records Sony BMG |
Associated acts | Armando Manzanero, Camilo Sesto, Cristian Castro, José Feliciano, Juan Gabriel, Lani Hall, Manuel Alejandro, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Paul Anka, Raúl di Blasio, Reyli, Yanni |
José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz (born 17 February 1948), known by his stage name José José, is a Mexican singer, musician and occasional actor. Born into a family of musicians, and raised in Mexico City, José began his musical career in his early teens playing guitar and singing in serenades. He later joined a jazz and bossa nova trio where he sang and played Bass (instrument) and double bass. José found success as a solo artist in the early 1970s. Demonstrating his vocal ability with a stunning performance of the song "El Triste" at a Latin music festival held in Mexico City in 1970, he climbed the Latin charts during that decade. Having achieved recognition as a balladeer, his singing garnered universal critical acclaim from musical peers and media.
In the 1980s, after signing with Ariola Records, José rose to international prominence as one of the most popular and talented Latin performers. His 1983 album Secretos has sold over 7 million units. With a large number of international hits, he received several Grammy nominations and recognition worldwide. He sold out in venues such as Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. His music reached non-Spanish-speaking countries like Japan, Israel and Russia. José has also forged a career as an actor, starring in movies such as Gavilán o Paloma and Perdóname Todo.
Also known in the entertainment world as El Príncipe de la Canción (The Prince of Song), his performance and vocal style have influenced many Latin pop artists in a career that has spanned more than four decades. Because of his vocals and popularity, José José is considered by Latin audience and media as an icon of Latin pop music and one of the most emblematic Mexican singers of his time.