SANZ SIGNS WITH SONY

Closing the deal in Madrid: (l-r) Verde, Sanz and Barbat

Alejandro Sanz, Spain's most decorated singer-songwriter, has signed a global recording agreement with Sony Music.

Over the course of his 30-year career, Sanz has released music through WMG and most recently, UMG. He can claim the most Grammy Awards won by a Spanish artist (25 Latin Grammys, four Grammys) and has sold over 25m units. Sanz's 1997 album, Más, is the best-selling album in Spain's history.

Said Afo Verde, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Latin-Iberia, "We're honored and excited to welcome Alejandro to Sony Music, and we genuinely hope that this will be a very happy phase in his life. Ale, thank you for your trust. Thanks to you and your amazing team: Iñigo Zabala, Alex Mizrahi and Octavio Padilla. Welcome to your home. From the bottom of our hearts. This is just the beginning."

José María Barbat, president of Sony Music Iberia, added, "Alejandro is one of the most accomplished Latin artists of Spanish origin that one can imagine. I have seen his relationships up close, with Niña Pastori, Malú and Dani Martín, and witnessed his collaboration with Alicia Keys and his contribution to the phenomenon of ROSALÍA when he was named Person of the Year at the Grammys. I know that Alejandro is not only an immense talent but also a wonderful person. For me and for all of us who will work with him, it's a great honor to welcome him to his new home."