Ruben Blades
Rubén Blades Birth name Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna Born (1948-07-16) July 16, 1948 (age 66) Panama City, Panama Genres Salsa, Latin Jazz, Latin Pop, World Music Occupation(s) Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Politician Instruments vocals, maracas, guitar Years active 1960s–present Labels Fania Records, Elektra, Sony, Columbia Associated acts Willie Colón, Fania All Stars Website Rubén Blades' website Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948), professionally known as Rubén Blades (Spanish pronunciation: [ruˈβen ˈblaðes], but [ˈbleðz] in Panama and within the family ), is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, actor, Latin jazz musician, and activist, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and politically inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings "Patria" (Fatherland), which many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America and Spain, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a Licenciado en Derecho law degree from the University of Panama and an LL.M in International Law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason.