JUANES ON U.S. LEG OF LA VIDA WORLD TOUR

By Culturekiosque Staff

NEW YORK, 25 MARCH 2008— In both critical respect and global commercial success, Juanes (b. 1972 Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez in Medellin, Colombia) has become the leading all-Spanish language music artist in the world - with The Los Angeles Times declaring him "the single most important figure of the past decade in Latin music" and TIME Magazine naming the Colombian rocker as "One of the 100 Most Influential People in the World."

The Columbian superstar is currently on the U.S. leg of his "La Vida World Tour" which includes concerts in Washington, DC , Rosemont, Illinois, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Denver Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and San Jose, California. Released last autumn, "La Vida… es un Ratico" tackles themes of world peace, social change and intimate personal thoughts on love and relationships. With the majority of the album recorded in his home studio in the mountains outside of Medellin, Colombia, Juanes was able to work to perfect his distinctive fusion of rock with traditional Colombian rhythms (such as Vallenato, Cumbia and Mapale), as well as other international styles including Flamenco, Troba, Bolero and Tango.

Both as guitarist and socially conscious songwriter, Juanes is now often mentioned alongside artists such as Bono and Bruce Springsteen for his belief in the possibility of social change through music. Juanes’ musical message of peace confronts the violence of his native Colombia’s continued struggle notably the dangers of landmines in both Colombia and across the world. And while conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan grab headlines, Colombia's war kills 3,500 people ---- mostly civilians ---- every year. Another 3,000 Colombians are kidnapped each year. And the conflict is seemingly endless: two Marxist rebel groups, funded by drug trafficking, extortion and kidnapping, have been battling a succession of elected governments for 40 years.

The twelve-time Latin Grammy musician's multi-platinum breakthrough album "Un Dia Normal" set the record for the longest Top-10 chart run in Latin music history. Likewise notching an astounding two-year chart run, the guitarist/singer-songwriter’s critically acclaimed follow-up "Mi Sangre" (My Blood) sold over 4 million copies while bringing Juanes to #1 on the charts throughout Latin America, the U.S. and across Europe. The corresponding "Mi Sangre Tour" was the most extensive worldwide tour ever mounted by a Latin artist, with 170 concerts performed before millions of fans at arenas and stadiums in 31 countries on four continents.

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