Andrés Salguero, better known as 123 Andrés, is one of the most exciting new voices on the family music scene in the US and Latin America, “A rockstar for little language learners” according to Billboard Magazine. A native of Bogotá, Colombia, Andrés brings to audiences joyful sounds, passion for bilingualism and a high-energy love of music that gets kids singing and dancing in Spanish and English.
Arriba Abajo - by 123 Andrés
His most recent album entitled Arriba Abajo, won the Latin Grammy for best children’s album in 2016 as well as the Parent’s Choice Gold Award. His Latin-Grammy nominated debut album, ¡Uno, Dos, Tres Andrés en español y en inglés!, and was hailed by the Boston Globe: “His joyous new album… hopscotches around the Spanish-speaking world, seamlessly switching from bachata and bolero to mariachi and vallenato.”
Andrés started his musical career at a young age when he joined a local folkloric music and dance group. As part of this group he recorded a full length album at age 8 and the experience of being in the studio with professional musicians was a defining one. Later on Andrés learned to play the guitar from his father and developed a love for the variety of musical rhythms, which led him to play also clarinet and saxophone in all kinds of musical groups, from an opera company to a ska band. During this time he also started writing his own songs. His carefully crafted compositions earned him the first prize in the National Composition Contest in Colombia.
Andrés pursued his passion and went on to earn a doctorate in music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. While in Kansas City, Andrés discovered the world of children’s music, and has dedicated himself to it ever since. He uses his music to celebrate Latin culture, promote the importance of bilingualism, and encourage cultural understanding.