José Alberto Justiniano Andújar, born in 1958, is one of the heavyweights of salsa and tropical music in the entire American continent. Also known as José Alberto “El Canario“, this Dominican singer is part of the guests of the documentary series in which he opens the doors of his house in Miami to the public of RTVC -Sistema of public media.
El Canario, winner of the “Congo de oro” in 2005 -an award given to the best musical groups presented at the Barranquilla Carnival Orchestra Festival- and three Latin Grammys in 2013, 2015 and 2018, is one of the undisputed artists of Latin music with more than 50 years of career.
In an interview with Juan Carlos Coronel, El Canario opens his most intimate spaces full of nostalgia and joy, and among his collection of gold records, awards and recognitions, he also presents a good part of the history of the golden age of the sauce that originated in New York. For this reason, we bring you a brief tour of his artistic career.
When he was just a boy, in 1970, José Alberto moved from the Dominican Republic to New York, the capital of the world, and sang with various orchestras at a time when salsa was making its way into the music industry in the United States.
Soon, by 1977, while still very young, El Canario claimed the spotlight of international attention as the leader of the “Típica ’73”, a band in which he excelled until he formed his own lineup in 1983.
With this new lineup focused on his talents, José Alberto El Canario became a star in the Latin firmament after the release of his debut album Noches Calientes in 1984.
Later, with the album I Dream of You in 1988, he scored hits like Dream of You, Today I Want to Confess, Te Voy a Saciar de Mi, A Enjoy, among others.
However, it was not until the release of his 1991 album Dance With Me that he established himself in a new style of salsa known today as salsa romantica or salsa rosa, with which he finished creating his own style and even positioned himself as one of the greats of a new subgenre within tropical music.
Thus, his voice was widely adored by his fans, and over time the public ended up nicknamed him “El Canario“, after having positioned hits such as La Gitana and Dance With Me on the radio and in musicologists’ collections.
Later, with the album I Dream of You in 1988, he scored hits like Dream of You, Today I Want to Confess, Te Voy a Saciar de Mi, A Enjoy, among others.
However, it was not until the release of his 1991 album Dance With Me that he established himself in a new style of salsa known today as salsa romantica or salsa rosa, with which he finished creating his own style and even positioned himself as one of the greats of a new subgenre within tropical music.
Thus, his voice was widely adored by his fans, and over time the public ended up nicknamed him “El Canario“, after having positioned hits such as La Gitana and Dance With Me on the radio and in musicologists’ collections.
Throughout his career, José Alberto El Canario has gained international recognition for his unique voice and style, but according to his biographies also for his improvisations on stage.
Throughout his career he has been celebrated and has worked with other great names in music such as Johnny Rodríguez, Mario Rivera, Nicky Marrero, Oscar D’León, Joe Arroyo and Celia Cruz.
However, this and much more is part of the revelations that the Dominican makes to the Cartagena artist Juan Carlos Coronel in the documentary series Coronel in his labyrinth, so you cannot miss this chapter dedicated to El Canario, one of the most emblematic romantic salsa artists
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