Jorge Drexler

Jorge Drexler trained as an ear, nose and throat doctor before music claimed him. Born in Montevideo in 1964, he began on piano at five and later studied guitar and composition. His songs blend Uruguayan forms such as candombe, murga, milonga and tango with bossa nova, pop, jazz and electronics, and the lyrics return often to love, identity, race and religion.

A 1995 support slot for Joaquín Sabina at Montevideo's Teatro de Verano led to an invitation to Madrid, where he recorded Vaivén (1996) and settled, following with Llueve, Frontera, Sea and Eco. In 2005 "Al Otro Lado del Río", from The Motorcycle Diaries, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, a first for a Uruguayan and for a Spanish-language song; Antonio Banderas and Carlos Santana performed it on the night, and Drexler recited two verses at the podium. Later records include 12 Segundos de Oscuridad (2006), Amar la Trama (2010), cut live in four days, the rhythm-driven Bailar en la Cueva (2014), Salvavidas de Hielo (2017), built from guitars and voice alone, and Tinta y Tiempo (2022). At the 2018 Latin Grammys, "Telefonía" took record and song of the year.