Alejandro Alonso (musician)
Encyclopedia
Alejandro Alonso is a Latin-American Christian
guitar
player, singer and composer.
, Mexico. He began his musical career at a very early age. During his teen years he was the lead guitarist in a number of bands playing in pubs and popular Mexican nightclubs. He was greatly influenced by B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Larry Carlton, Santana and others. He quickly learned to play the bass, drums and some piano, as well.
In 1972, he married artist and flautist
, Pamela Alonso, and they soon had three children together: Alicia, Job and Rebekah.
From 1973-1980 he dedicated a great deal of time to using his music as an evangelistic tool performing at colleges, universities, open-air concerts and prisons.
and Maranatha! Music.
It was with Maranatha! that he made his first recordings and becoming one of the innovators of Spanish Christian Contemporary music.
He toured extensively in Latin America and took the music to war zones and areas of guerrilla activity.
He also dedicated much time to Bible study and began pastoring Hispanic groups in different churches.
He returned to California and continued working on a variety of musical projects and pastoring churches.
In 1995 Alejandro Alonso moved with his family to Buenos Aires
, Argentina
to do missionary work. After one year they relocated to Santiago, Chile
. There he founded a church and continued working there for seven years. He traveled extensively during that time performing extensively in many countries all over the world.
.
He has won awards and been recognized as one of the most influential Spanish Christian Contemporary musicians
It is produced by Kenneth Nash and includes the talents of Andy Narrel, Ray Oviedo, Paul Contos and Paul Van Wageningen.
It is produced by Alejandro Alonso and includes the talents of Abraham Laboriel
, Alex Acuña
, Justo Almario, John Schriener, Bob Somma and Alfy Silas.
It is produced by Alejandro Alonso and with the participation of L.G. Burger, Gary Metz, Julie Worthey, Patty Hamilton, Pamela Alonso and Pat Berrón.
The rhythms vary between blues-gospel, ballad and interesting Latin rhythms.
Produced by Alejandro Alonso and with the participation of Pamela Alonso, Adreas Redel, Marianela Abate, Jenny Brito, and Zuzuki Delpero.
It is produced by Alejandro Alonso and includes the participation of Pamela Alonso, Sebastián Almarza, Marianela Abate, Jenny Brito, and Viviana Martinez.
).
Alejandro and his wife Pamela produced this project together.
It combines ablend of Latin and South American rhythms with a touch of contemporary jazz.
This album includes the musical talents of Pamela Alonso, Jonathan Amabilis and Josué Puga.
The same vocal ensemble recorded a Spanish album (Te Alabaré) as Voces de Calvary Chapel.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
player, singer and composer.
Early years
Alejandro Alonso was born on August 14, 1952 in his grandfather's house in QuerétaroQuerétaro
Querétaro officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Querétaro de Arteaga is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 18 municipalities and its capital city is Santiago de Querétaro....
, Mexico. He began his musical career at a very early age. During his teen years he was the lead guitarist in a number of bands playing in pubs and popular Mexican nightclubs. He was greatly influenced by B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Larry Carlton, Santana and others. He quickly learned to play the bass, drums and some piano, as well.
Conversion to Christianity
In 1971 Alejandro had a born again experience and committed his life to Jesus Christ. Immediately, he began composing his own material and developing his vocal skills.In 1972, he married artist and flautist
Flautist
A flautist or flutist is a musician who plays an instrument in the flute family. See List of flautists.The choice of "flautist" versus "flutist" is the source of dispute among players of the instrument...
, Pamela Alonso, and they soon had three children together: Alicia, Job and Rebekah.
From 1973-1980 he dedicated a great deal of time to using his music as an evangelistic tool performing at colleges, universities, open-air concerts and prisons.
Maranatha! Years
In 1980 he moved to California and began working with Calvary ChapelCalvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel is an evangelical association of Christian churches with over one thousand congregations worldwide. Calvary Chapel also maintains a number of radio stations around the world and operates many local Calvary Chapel Bible College programs. It presents itself as a "fellowship of...
and Maranatha! Music.
It was with Maranatha! that he made his first recordings and becoming one of the innovators of Spanish Christian Contemporary music.
He toured extensively in Latin America and took the music to war zones and areas of guerrilla activity.
He also dedicated much time to Bible study and began pastoring Hispanic groups in different churches.
Relocation to South America
In 1986 he moved with his family to Chile, South America, to do missionary work.He returned to California and continued working on a variety of musical projects and pastoring churches.
In 1995 Alejandro Alonso moved with his family to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
to do missionary work. After one year they relocated to Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
. There he founded a church and continued working there for seven years. He traveled extensively during that time performing extensively in many countries all over the world.
Present
In 2001 he returned to California where he lives to the present day. He is actively pastors a Spanish Bible study group in Maranatha Chapel, San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Albums
To this date he has recorded nine solo albums, seven in the Spanish language, one in English and one instrumental.He has won awards and been recognized as one of the most influential Spanish Christian Contemporary musicians
Cántico de Libertad - Song of Freedom (1982)]
This is Alejandro's first solo music production and was recorded in 1982. It is considered a classic and initiated a fresh style in Spanish Christian contemporary music. It has inspired many Christian singers and musicians who are internationally renowned today.It is produced by Kenneth Nash and includes the talents of Andy Narrel, Ray Oviedo, Paul Contos and Paul Van Wageningen.
Alguien - Someone (1992)
Alejandro considers this production his master work.It is produced by Alejandro Alonso and includes the talents of Abraham Laboriel
Abraham Laboriel
Abraham Laboriel, Sr. is a Mexican bassist of Garifuna descent who has played on over 4,000 recordings and soundtracks. Guitar Player Magazine described him as "the most widely used session bassist of our time". Laboriel is the father of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and of producer, songwriter, and...
, Alex Acuña
Alex Acuña
Alejandro Neciosup Acuña aka Alex Acuña is a Peruvian drummer and percussionist, in the Afro-Cuban jazz style.Born in Pativilca, Peru, Acuña played in local bands from the age of ten, and moved to Lima as a teenager. At the age of eighteen he joined the band of Perez Prado, and in 1967 he moved...
, Justo Almario, John Schriener, Bob Somma and Alfy Silas.
Tu Santidad Me Envuelve - Your Holiness Surrounds Me (1994)
This album is more on the acoustic side with a touch of gospel-blues. It has become one of Alejandro's most popular albums.It is produced by Alejandro Alonso and with the participation of L.G. Burger, Gary Metz, Julie Worthey, Patty Hamilton, Pamela Alonso and Pat Berrón.
Todo Lo Que Respira - Let all that Hath Breath... (1997)
This album of praise and worship songs is primarily directed toward younger people. It also includes some traditional hymns.The rhythms vary between blues-gospel, ballad and interesting Latin rhythms.
Produced by Alejandro Alonso and with the participation of Pamela Alonso, Adreas Redel, Marianela Abate, Jenny Brito, and Zuzuki Delpero.
Heme Aquí - Here am I (1999)
It contains two songs by singer-songwriter Dave MessengerIt is produced by Alejandro Alonso and includes the participation of Pamela Alonso, Sebastián Almarza, Marianela Abate, Jenny Brito, and Viviana Martinez.
De Regreso a Casa - Coming Home (2001)
All of the songs on this album are his own composition with the exception of the last song which is an old hymn (Solid RockSolid Rock
Solid Rock is a 1972 album by The Temptations for the Gordy label, produced by Norman Whitfield. The LP was the first made primarily without founding members and original lead singers Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams...
).
Alejandro and his wife Pamela produced this project together.
Joyful Noise (2002)
Is Alejandro's first instrumental album.It combines ablend of Latin and South American rhythms with a touch of contemporary jazz.
Scars of Love (2007)
This is Alejandro Alonso's most recent production. It was released in both English and Spanish versions.This album includes the musical talents of Pamela Alonso, Jonathan Amabilis and Josué Puga.
Other Projects
Alejandro Alonso is also featured as part of the vocalists performing in the Spanish version of Maranatha's Praise Series Quiero Alabarte.The same vocal ensemble recorded a Spanish album (Te Alabaré) as Voces de Calvary Chapel.