2005 BANDS
CONFIRMED FOR OCTOBER 30TH!
Hansel Enrique Martinez was born in Camaguey province, Cuba. His professional musical career began in 1976 in New York City with the world famous Charanga 76' as vocalist and Co-founder of the band. Their music was based on a sophisticated version of tropical dance music that emphasizes strings and woodwinds rather than brass. charanga ‘76 made its trademark. They made their flute and violin based music known throughout the world touring extensively throughout the Caribbean, South America, Central America and Africa as well as all the major Latin populated cities in the U.S.
In 1980 Hansel and Raul decided to leave the band and it is then that the most famous, dynamic and charismatic duo in the history of Tropical music is born HANSEL & RAUL. Integrating a brass section to the already popular Charanga Sound it was that uncanny fuse harmony, spiked with a very Caribbean sense of rhythm that made Hansel y Raul the hottest act in Latin Dance Music. They were Miami's #1 dance band, but that's not all. Their contagious beat spread from Tokyo to Madrid, from Paris to Bogota, from Africa to Mexico. Their global hit songs MARIA TERESA Y DANILO and CON LA LENGUA AFUERA became anthems and made them International Recording stars. Hansel y Raul recorded more than 12 albums and in 1986 was presented with a double Platinum album "LA MAGIA". They toured all over the world setting attendance records and unprecedented record sales in more than 20 countries. They also performed for then President and Mrs. Reagan at the White House where they shared stage honors with Tina Turner, Barry Manilow and Tony Bennett. In 1987 they were invited to perform at Disney's 15th. Anniversary Celebration was they performed in front of a worldwide TV audience of more than 160 million. The duo was presented with 7 Gold albums and 1 double Platinum. Numerous #1 hit songs, world tours, and the charisma they demonstrated before a live audience made Hansel y Raul without a doubt “The Hottest Dance Band of the Decade”.
In 1987 they received 3 GRAMMY {Latin} nominations for Best Tropical Album, Best Tropical song “Maria Teresa y Danilo" and best Tropical Group. They won for best song. In 1988 Hansel & Raul recorded their last album together it included the smash hit song “ELLA”. In life good things must sometimes come to an end even if at times it's only temporarily. Hansel & Raul decided to separate in 1988 and, went on hiatus from one and other.
In 1989 Hansel released his first album appropriately titled “SOLO “. The album’s first single “LA ESQUINA HABANERA” was an instant smash hit. The second single “QUIERO RECORRER TU CUERPO” elevated album sales over fifty thousand copies for which he was awarded a gold album. He was also nominated and received the prestigious LO NUESTRO award for best new artist, and best salsa album in the tropical music category.
In February 1991 Hansel released his second album “EL GATO”. The catchy tune “EL GATO” became a worldwide hit. As a result a world tour to promote the success of the album was scheduled. The tour began in Europe in April and ended with a sold out performance in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
His third album “LATINOAMERICANO” released in March of 1993 brought a new dimension to his music. Four of the ten songs in the album were sung in English. His first English single “LOVE POTION # 9” became a huge hit in the rhythm and beach markets all over the country. The song remained at the # 1 spot for sixteen weeks and is considered a classic by Ballroom dancers all over the world. The Spanish single “AMERICANA” reached the top ten in Billboard and remained on the charts for 24 weeks. A Grammy nomination for best tropical song followed and in March of 1995 he was presented with a platinum album to commemorate sales of more than 100,000.
In 1996 Hansel & Raul decided to get together for a new album and a world tour. Their first album in almost ten years “CELEBRANDO” was a huge success. The first single “BAILALA PEGAITA” became a smash hit all over the world and reached the number 1 spot in more than 7 countries. The second single “LA LLAVE DE TU APARTAMENTO” was also a huge hit and cleared the way for other hit singles such as “SAN ANTONIO” and the remake of their traditional “KU-KUCHA”. In November of 1997 one year after the release of “CELEBRANDO” they were presented with a { 5 } Platinum Albums to commemorate the sale of more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. Columbia, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador also presented them with Platinum Albums making “CELEBRANDO” one of their top selling albums of all time.
After the huge success of their album “CELEBRANDO” and their attendance record setting WORLD TOUR one can only assume one thing …HANSEL & RAUL ARE BACK. In April 2000 they released their long awaited album “100 CUBANO” {100 % Cuban}. The new album is based on typical Cuban charanga music. The album will also include 2 of the greatest hits “Los Pregones” & “Quiero Mas” recorded live at the Hollywood Palladium.
In November of 2002 Hansel’s new production AYER y HOY was released. The first single “SI NO BAILAS CONMIGO” received heavy airplay in all major U.S. markets, as well as in Mexico where the song has remained in the top TEN spots in the Tropical charts since the release of the CD in December of 2001. In February, 2003 the single ‘UN MONTON DE ESTRELLAS” was released. The single became such an international hit that a world tour was scheduled. The tour took Hansel and his Calle 8 Orchestra to 42 cities in 12 different countries. The new production includes remakes of two of his greatest hits “YO CREO QUE NOS GUSTAMOS” and the twice Grammy nominated smash hit “AMERICANA, AMERICANA”.
CONFIRMED FOR OCTOBER 29TH!
