Undoubtedly one of the most successful singer/songwriters in Latin music; Alejandro Sanz knows good music. The most recent proof is his earning the Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for “Sirope” at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards. Sanz is now sharing his musical knowledge by joining Ricky Martin and Laura Pausini as judge and mentor in Univision‘s “La Banda,” airing Sunday nights at 8PM (ET).

“La Banda” Finalists

The show aims to discover the next superstar group in Latin music and is on its final lap, with the top finalists competing live. “La Banda,” was developed by Univision, Simon Cowell’s SYCO Entertainment and Haim Saban’s Saban Brands, and co-produced with Fremantle Media Latin America. It is currently one of the top rated shows on television and the most socially engaged weekly series.

After our interview on the eve of launching “Sirope” earlier this year, we caught up with Sanz to speak specifically about his current role inspiring young musicians weekly in “La Banda.”

HOMBRE: What can you tell us about your experience on this project?
Alejandro Sanz: This has been a great experience. These kids are here because they want to be artists. There were some that wanted to be famous, but fortunately we don’t have any more of those. It really reminds the three of us about our beginnings. The illusions, the desire you have, that need to communicate with an audience, and the wish to fulfill a dream.

Ricky Martin

Laura Pausini

H: How has it been to work alongside Ricky and Laura?
AS: A true nightmare! (laughs). I’ve known them a long time. I have a lot of love for them and to be able to share more time with them and to see how we are – how we work the artistic aspects – has been a great pleasure. I hope we can repeat it at a certain point.

H: What are you looking for in an artist?
AS: I believe they have chosen the three of us (as judges) because we all like music that’s well done. But we are also different. For example, in my case, corporal expression is not my strength. I’m not much given to dance. I’m not sure where I left my career as a dancer (laughs). But I want them to sing, to transmit that energy, to have charisma. That’s what makes an artist different from the others and that’s what I look for. That’s why we complement each other, because Ricky, for example, knows corporal expression and dances really well. And Laura is looking for the personality, that innocence. And of course the three of us are searching for the voice. We complement each other really well.

H: How will it be to have these finalists and select among them?
AS: The most exciting thing is that now we’re live. And the public can vote to select “La Banda” that will go into next week’s show with an original song. Now the show has a lot more relevance for people that can also have their opinion heard through Twitter, and through a phone number. Through Twitter they can use #labanda with the name of the kid they want to save and they can vote, so it’s very easy to participate. And then there’s our vote of course.

Alejandro Sanz

H: Would you have participated in a show like this?
AS: When I began my career we didn’t have shows like this. I think it’s a great platform. Everything that encourages music is a great thing. There are many people that can criticize the format of these shows but I think it’s great that this format exists on television. Better this format than a format that encourage other types of behavior, here we encourage hard work, growth, talent, working in a team, and there’s nothing wrong with that, quite the contrary. And everything that revolves around music I find very productive.

H: Had you ever considered being on a television program, week after week?
AS: Now, no, because I have four kids. Well, now I have a lot more with the kids from the show (laughs). The kids when they leave are sad, but they realize that they had an amazing opportunity. Millions of people have seen them. I wish we had that opportunity when we were coming up. For Ricky there are a lot of time they told him no, many times they told me no also. Life is not always about yes.

H: What advice do you have for those competitors who are not able to advance?
AS: That nothing ends here, quite the opposite, everything begins here. The youth they have is very important. If someone has the capacity and has the desire they should continue, it doesn’t end here.

H: When we last spoke you were going on tour, will you continue the tour when the show ends?
AS: Yes, I will continue the tour. I will go to Mexico, Argentina and Chile; those are confirmed. I can’t wait to continue the tour. I love to be on a stage.

H: What’s your next single from “Sirope”?
AS: The next single is “Capitan Tapon.” The one I dedicated to my son.

Alejandro Sanz’s latest CD, “Sirope Vivo,” will be released December 4th. The double CD includes live tracks recorded in concert, along with “A Que No Me Dejas,” the duet with Alejandro Fernandez; three different versions of “Un Zombie a la Interperie,” and the new track “El Cuaderno del Alba.”