 |
Ruben BladesPanamanian singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz performer and politician
Date of Birth: 16.07.1948
Country:  Panama |
Content:
Ruben Blades: Panamanian Singer, Songwriter, Lawyer, Actor, Jazz Performer, and Politician
Ruben Blades, born on July 16, 1948, in the capital of Panama, is a renowned Panamanian singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, jazz performer, and politician. He is known for his Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz music, which he describes as "dance music (salsa) for thinking people." Blades has created several hits, including "Pedro Navaja." He gained popularity in his home country of Panama and throughout South America.
Early Life and Career
Blades was born to a Cuban pianist, singer, and actress. In his youth, he wrote songs and sang with Los Salvajes del Ritmo and the professional Latin American group Bush y sus Magníficos. He studied political science and law at the Panamanian National University, where he also worked at the Panamanian State Bank. After graduating in 1974, Blades moved to the United States.
Initially, his family lived in Miami before relocating to New York. It was in New York where Blades began writing songs while working at Fania Records, waiting for an opportunity to be recognized as a musician. He soon collaborated with trombonist Willie Colón, recording several albums together and participating in the albums of singer Héctor Lavoe and the Fania All Stars.
Blades' first major hit, written by himself, was the song "Pablo Pueblo" from the album "Metiendo Mano," released in 1977. The song tells the story of a working-class family man who returns home after a long and difficult day of work. It became the unofficial theme song of Blades' presidential campaign in 1994 when he ran for president of Panama.
Success and Achievements
The album "Siembra," released in 1978, recorded with Colón, became the best-selling salsa album of all time, selling over 25 million copies. Almost all the songs from "Siembra" became hits in South America at different times. In 1984, Blades signed a contract with Elektra and formed the group Son Del Solar, also known as Seis Del Solar, with whom he recorded several albums. Two of these albums, "Escenas" and "Antecedente," received Grammy awards.
In addition to his music career, Blades ventured into acting. In 1982, he made his film debut as a boxer and singer in "The Last Fight," starring alongside world boxing champion Salvador Sánchez. Throughout the 1990s, Blades continued working with Seis/Son del Solar and appeared in films such as "The Milagro Beanfield War" (1988), "The Two Jakes" (1990), "Mo' Better Blues" (1990), "Color of Night" (1994), and "The Devil's Own" (1997).
In 1999, Blades portrayed the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera in Tim Robbins' film "Cradle Will Rock." That same year, he won another Grammy for the album "Tiempos."
Political Career
In 1994, Blades participated in the presidential elections in Panama, receiving 18% of the popular vote. After the unsuccessful campaign, he released the album "La Rosa de los Vientos," which featured many Panamanian authors and musicians. In September 2004, Blades was appointed as Panama's Minister of Tourism while continuing his career in the entertainment industry.
In 2007, Blades, still serving as Minister, returned to the show business and launched an online TV show called "Show de Ruben Blades" (SDRB) on his website www.rubenblades.com.
