A chart-topping singer with five million records sold since his 2002 debut; winner of 60 music-industry accolades, including two Latin Grammy Awards and the World Music Award for Best Latin Artist; a renowned performer who has headlined over 700 concerts around the world.
All those accomplishments describe Latin pop sensation David Bisbal, a native of Almería in Andalucía, who still calls that city home.
Bisbal was born into the world of music. His father, a professional boxer, was also part of a flamenco trio.
“Flamenco was born in Spain, in Andalucía, and crossed borders to reach the entire world,” Bisbal says. “Obviously, flamenco and copla [a style of Spanish pop songs popular in the 1940s] have greatly influenced my music style. I heard this kind of music on the radio at home when I was a child with my brother and sister, and I also remember singing flamenco and copla songs with my father.”
As a child, Bisbal enjoyed a bit of vino on Christmas, including wines from the regions of Jerez, Huelva, Málaga and Cádiz in Andalucía. That said, when he pours wine with dinner today, it’s usually “a nice red from Ribera del Duero or Rioja.”
Although he enjoys eating and drinking throughout Spain and Latin America while on tour, Bisbal has his top picks.
“My favorite Spanish cities for eating and drinking are Almería and Murcia, but also I want to emphasize the abundance and variety of Spanish food and drink from the north to the south, crossing east and west,” he says. “I have had the chance to visit Portuetxe, one of the best restaurants in San Sebastián, and also a fantastic restaurant in León called El Capricho, where I could eat the best beef in the world and drink lovely red wine.”
Bisbal also enjoys Cava, especially for celebrations. In 2014, he debuted his song “Closer Tonight” in a New Year’s Eve commercial for Freixenet. He calls the collaboration with the Cava giant “incredible and fantastic,” considering it an honor to work with the brand as it celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Bisbal spends much of his free time at home in Almería, where he can “disappear in anonymity.” With a new album on the way and a planned tour—one that will include multiple cities across the U.S.—it doesn’t sound like the star will have much time to stay inconspicuous.
Published: August 16, 2016
