José Vélez

José Velázquez Jiménez was born in Telde, Gran Canaria, in 1951. He adopted the stage name José Vélez, formed from his surnames, and spent his early years singing at family events, neighbourhood festivities and with Trío Maravillas. In the late 1960s he moved to Madrid, after a period performing in Canarian hotels, venues and festivals.

His public projection consolidated in the 1970s. Vino griego was the song that made him an international success after his appearance on Directísimo, and in 1978 he represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest with Bailemos un vals, finishing ninth.

José Vélez’s cultural relevance for the Canary Islands comes from that circulation between Telde, Madrid and international popular-song stages. Telde town council named him Hijo Predilecto in 2010. Repertory, discography and the Latin American stage are developed in his specialised music profile.