Michael Stuart
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Michael Stuart (born March 9, 1975 in New York City) is a salsa singer and actor of Puerto Rican descent.
Stuart's parents emigrated from Puerto Rico and settled in New York City in the 1960s. Stuart received his primary and secondary education in there. He received his musical influence from his uncle Israel "Timbalero" Stuart. Stuart grew up listening to hip hop and rock music. He grew to love many kinds of music, especially Latin music. His uncle "Timbalero" was a professional musician and bandleader. Stuart would accompany his uncle to many rehearsals where he would sing and play the maracas or congas. He taught himself to play the trumpet and most of the times he would sing to the tones of Hector Lavoe and El Gran Combo. It was Domingo Quiñones who had influenced Stuart's style of singing.
With the help of his uncle, it wasn't long before Stuart was singing back-up to the likes of Johnny Rivera and Marc Anthony. In 1996, Stuart recorded his "first" CD, "Cuento de la Vecinidad" (Tale of the neighborhood), which included a remake of Michael Jackson's "The Lady of My Life". His debut CD was a "hit" in the Hispanic community. He was awarded the Farandula Magazine "New Artist of the Year 1996-97 Award", The Tropical New Artist 1997 Award by the Tu Musica Awards and was nominated for the "New Artist of the Year" at the Lo Nuestro Awards in 1997. That year Stuart also sang in a Banco Popular production honoring Bobby Capo, featuring Danny Rivera, Jose Feliciano and Chucho Avellanet.
In 1998, Stuart recorded his second CD "Retratos" (Pictures). Among the awards that he won for this recording were the "New Salsa Artist Award" and the Paoli Award. He also debuted in the Puerto Rican version of the musical play "Jesus Christ Superstar" in San Juan, alongside Olga Tañon. Stuart was awarded the "Best New Actors Award" by the Theater Circle for his performance. In the 1998 Banco Popular production honoring composer Rafael Hernandez, Stuart sang alongside Ricky Martin and Gilberto Santa Rosa.
In 1999, Stuart received a special recognition from the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico plus, he also received the "Peoples Choice Award" in the Tropical category at the Tu Music Awards.
In 2000, Stuart released his third album "Subeme el Volumen" (Bring Up the Volume). That year he sang "Algo En Ella" (Something in Her), for the film soundtrack of "Under Suspicion", a movie which included the participation of Miguel Angel Suarez and Nydia Caro. The soundtrack also included songs by fellow Puerto Ricans Carlos Ponce, Ednita Nazario and Olga Tañon. Stuart also sang two songs in "Obra Maestra" (Masterpiece) by Eddie Palmieri and the late Tito Puente.
In 2002, Stuart released his fourth CD titled "Michael". He is currently active in the music business and participates on stage productions in Puerto Rico.
In 2006, Stuart released "Back To Da' Barrio", which is a salsa album of notable reggaeton songs sung by other reggaeton artists, such as "Ven Bailalo", "Pobre Diabla", and "Mayor Que Yo".
