Jesse and Joy Cross Boundaries, Blend Languages Randy Cordova - The Republic
go to original March 25, 2017

Jesse & Joy - "Echoes of Love" (Jesse & Joy)

In the past decade, Jesse & Joy have become one of the top acts in the Latin-music world. Their records — sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes whimsical — are impossible to miss on Spanish radio. Critics love them, and they’ve got five Latin Grammy Awards to prove it.

Everyone wants to work with them; they have collaborated with such major players as Alejandro Sanz, Pablo Alboran and Juan Luis Guerra.

The next step? Well, English-language success could be just around the corner. But it’s not part of some calculated cash grab. In their case, it’s perfectly natural.

“We’re both really sensitive in what we project to our fans,” says Jesse Huerta, 33, who forms the duo with his sister. “We don’t want there to be this perception that we’re greedy. We want our fans to know who we are and why we sing in Spanish and English. It’s just who we are.”

Jesse & Joy were both born and raised in Mexico City. Their dad was Mexican; their mom hails from Wisconsin. And growing up, one rule was emphasized: No Spanglish in the house.

“My mom had this little bubble at home,” Jesse says, calling from Mexico City. “When she got married, she didn’t speak any Spanish. She spoke to us in English, and our dad spoke to us in Spanish. There was no mixing. She was very specific about that.”

It worked: Both siblings speak flawless English without a trace of an accent.

Read the rest at The Republic

Related: Q&A with Joy of Jesse and Joy (Loughborough Echo)

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