Hansel Enrique Martinez and Raul Alfonso were born in Cuba. Their professional musical careers began in 1976 in New York City with the world famous Charanga '76 as vocalists and Co-founders of the band.
Their music was based on a sophisticated version of tropical dance music that emphasizes strings and woodwinds rather than brass. Charanga ‘76 made its trademark. They made their flute and violin based music known throughout the world touring extensively throughout the Caribbean, South America, Central America and Africa as well as all the major Latin populated cities in the U.
S In 1980 Hansel and Raul decided to leave the band and it is then that the most famous, dynamic and charismatic duo in the history of Tropical music was born HANSEL & RAUL. Integrating a brass section to the already popular Charanga Sound it was that uncanny fuse harmony, spiked with a very Caribbean sense of rhythm that made Hansel y Raul the hottest act in Latin Dance Music.
They were Miami's #1 dance band, but that's not all. Their contagious beat spread from Tokyo to Madrid, from Paris to Bogota, from Africa to Mexico. Their global hit songs MARIA TERESA Y DANILO and CON LA LENGUA AFUERA became anthems and made them International Recording stars.
Hansel y Raul recorded more than 12 albums and in 1986 were presented with a double Platinum album "LA MAGIA". They toured all over the world setting attendance records and unprecedented record sales in more than 20 countries.
They also performed for then President and Mrs. Reagan at the White House where they shared stage honors with Tina Turner, Barry Manilow and Tony Bennett. In 1987 they were invited to perform at Disney's 15th.
Anniversary Celebration was they performed in front of a worldwide TV audience of more than 160 million. The duo was presented with 7 Gold albums and 1 Double Platinum. Numerous #1 hit songs, world tours, and the charisma they demonstrated before a live audience made Hansel y Raul without a doubt “The Hottest Dance Band of the Decade”.
In 1987 they received 3 GRAMMY {Latin} nominations for Best Tropical Album, Best Tropical song “Maria Teresa y Danilo" and best Tropical Group. They won for best song. In 1988 Hansel & Raul recorded their last album together it included the smash hit song “ELLA”.
In life good things must sometimes come to an end even if at times it's only temporarily. Hansel & Raul decided to separate in 1988 and, went on hiatus from one and other.In 1998 they decided to reunite for a studio album followed by a world tour.
This information was gathered from the official Hansel and Raul website, www.hanslyraul.com
