Hello. We continue with our presentation of the Latin artists featured on Tony Bennett’s next album: Viva Duets.

Franco DeVita

Born: January 23, 1954 in Caracas, Venezuela
Website: http://francodevita.com/
Twitter: @FrancoDeVita
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/francodvita

Born in Venezuela, Franco DeVita was the son of Italian immigrants and, in fact, learned Italian as his first language prior to Spanish.  An accomplished pianist, he is a singer-songwriter and has written songs for Ricky Martin and Chayanne. He primarily records in Spanish, but has also recorded in Italian and Portuguese. Well known as a popular singer, he has garnered significant popular and critical praise over his career.

He and Tony will be singing The Good Life on Viva Duets.

We feature his song Louis, about a day-dreaming cab driver who loves the Beatles.

Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García de Estefan

Born: September 1, 1957 in Havana, Cuba (as Gloria Maria Milagrosa Fajardo )
Website: http://www.gloriaestefan.com
Twitter: @GloriaEstefan

Born in Havana, Gloria Estefan’s father was a solder and bodyguard to Batista, and like many Cubans, her family emigrated to Miami, Florida in the midst of the Cuban Revolution.  She was raised in Houston, Texas and Miami; she earned a BA from the  University of Miami, with a major in Psychology and a minor in French. She met (and married) Emilio Estefan of the Miami Sound Machine. They remain married to this day, raising their family in Miami. Their first grandchild was born just a few months ago.

She has had enormous success as an artist, recording steadily since the mid-1970s, first as part of the Miami Sound Machine and then as a solo artist. In 1990, she was seriously injured in an accident when a speeding semi truck ran into her tour bus, suffering a fractured spine. Her resulting surgeries and physical therapy required a year, but she, thankfully, able to return to recording and touring. She records in both Spanish and English and has been on the top of the charts for decades. In addition to her numerous artistic achievements and awards, she is widely recognized for her philanthropic and charitable work, recently recording a video for the It Gets Better project,  a support organization for gay and lesbian teens, many of whom are bullied.

Gloria Estefan is a superstar by any definition.

She and Tony will be singing Who Can I Turn To? on Viva Duets.

Even though the author thinks Conga may be the greatest dance song ever recorded, we feature Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, co-written by Gloria Estefan from Let It Loose. We also highly recommend her latest album, Miss Little Havana.

Vincente Fernandez

Born: February 17, 1940 in Cerro Agudo, Sinaloa, Mexico
Website: http://www.chente.com
Twitter: @vicentefernande
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VicenteFernandezOficial

Known as Chente and El rey de la canción ranchera, Vincente Fernandez is indeed the king of Mexican ranchero music.  He knew from a early age that he was born to sing this music, and worked constantly to become the undisputed king of traditional Mexico music. He has recorded over 100 albums and sold over 65 millions records worldwide.  He has also appeared in several films.

He and Tony will be singing Return to Me (Regresa A Mi) on Viva Duets.

We feature Volver, Volver as a wonderful example of his traditional style. From 1974.

Maria Gadú

Born: December 4, 1986 in São Paulo, Brazil
Website: http://www.mariagadu.com.br/
Twitter:  @mariagadu

Maria Gadú is a young singer-songwriter and guitarist from Brazil. She started teaching to sing and play guitar as young child and began her performing career at the age of 13. Her first album, Maria Gadú was released in 2009 and went Platinum. She has already made a huge impact on Brazilian popular music and will surely be a major presence for many years to come.

She will be  singing Blue Velvet with Tony on Viva Duets; here’s a taste of that duet from the official Tony Bennett website.

We feature Shimbalaie from her first album, Maria Gadú: