Francisco Céspedes

Francisco "Pancho" Céspedes is a Cuban singer-songwriter who has lived in Mexico since 1992. Originally trained in medicine, he turned to music and gained international recognition with his debut album Vida loca (1997), which became a landmark of contemporary bolero and romantic song. Throughout his career he has written for and performed alongside artists including Luis Miguel, Alejandro Sanz, Plácido Domingo and Armando Manzanero, and in recent years collaborated with fellow Cuban singer-songwriter Pablo Milanés. In June 2026, the Latin Recording Academy announced that Céspedes will receive the 2026 Musical Excellence Award, to be presented November 9, 2026, in Las Vegas.