This year’s honorees include Alex Acuña, Carmen Linares, Mijares, Arturo Sandoval, Gustavo Santaolalla, Simone, Soda Stereo, Wisón Torres and Ana Torroja

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MIAMI (JULY 18, 2023) — The Latin Recording Academy® announced today that Carmen Linares, Mijares, Arturo Sandoval, Simone, Soda Stereo and Ana Torroja will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, as part of its annual Special Awards Presentation. Additionally, Alex Acuña, Gustavo Santaolalla and Wisón Torres will receive the Trustees Award.

“We are extremely honored for the opportunity to recognize these great figures of Ibero-America, whose musical legacy continues to inspire new generations,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We look forward to celebrating their virtuoso careers during Latin GRAMMY® Week in Sevilla this coming November.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music and its communities. The Trustees Award is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music during their careers in ways other than performance. Both distinctions are voted on by The Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees.

The honorees will be celebrated during a private event as part of Latin GRAMMY® Week on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in the Teatro Lope de Vega in Sevilla, Spain. Alex Hadad will serve as executive producer of the event, working under the direction of The Latin Recording Academy’s production team led by Ayleen Figueras.

2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:

Carmen Linares (Spain)

One of the most gifted, passionate and knowledgeable cantaoras in the history of flamenco, Carmen Linares stands alongside Spanish legends such as Camarón de la Isla, Paco de Lucía and Enrique Morente. Born in the city of Linares, Andalucía, in 1951, she learned the musical codes of flamenco at a young age guided by her father's guitar. In 1971, the release of her first album showcased a deep understanding of traditional Spanish styles. It was the beginning of a dazzling career that found her recording the works of Spanish poets like Federico García Lorca, Juan Ramón Jiménez and Miguel Hernández – as well as showcasing the splendor of flamenco artistry in concert halls around the world. Antología De La Mujer En El Cante (1996) is considered one of the essential records in the history of flamenco, and in 2020, she celebrated her career with the tour Cantaora: 40 Años De Flamenco. Linares has performed with symphony orchestras, directed her own shows and recorded songs for film and television soundtracks. In 2022 she received the Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts for a lifetime of dedication and devotion to flamenco.

Mijares (Mexico)

Throughout his distinguished musical career, Mijares has produced a wide variety of records and sold millions of them along the way. Manuel Mijares was born in 1958 in Mexico City, where he began his artistic career with groups Sentido and Los Continentales, and was part of Emmanuel’s chorus. His solo debut, Soñador, in 1986, included the international smash “Bella”. In 1989 he enjoyed a pinnacle of popularity with the LP Un Hombre Discreto, backed by the torrid ballad “Para Amarnos Más”. With hits like “Uno Entre Mil” and “No Se Murió el Amor,” in the summer of 2009 he released Vivir Así, an album of balada favorites. After countless international performances, in 2016 he celebrated three decades of uninterrupted career with a concert at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico accompanied by a symphony orchestra.

Arturo Sandoval (Cuba/U.S.)

A founding member of innovative Cuban group Irakere, Arturo Sandoval has excelled as a Latin jazz musician, pianist, classical composer and trumpet virtuoso. Born in Artemisa, Cuba, in 1949, Sandoval formed Irakere in 1973 with keyboardist Chucho Valdés and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera. Together, they pioneered a bold fusion of experimental jazz, funky rock’n’roll and rousing Afro-Cuban patterns. Sandoval left the band in 1981, and later moved to the U.S. with the assistance of his mentor Dizzy Gillespie. He then assembled his own band and began touring the world. Sandoval is equally comfortable performing as a classical trumpet soloist with symphony orchestras across the globe, and has also composed two Concertos for Trumpet and Orchestra. He’s the recipient of multiple Latin GRAMMYs and GRAMMYs, and won an Emmy for composing the score of For Love or Country—an emotionally stirring HBO biopic based on his life and starring Andy García. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2013.

Simone (Brazil)

Simone’s prolific and massively successful discography sums up the allure of the MPB movement and a samba-fueled revelry of life and romance. Born Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira in Salvador, Bahia, in 1949, the singer released her debut LP in 1973 followed by Quatro Paredes in 1974 and Gotas D’Água a year later. Featuring an ethereal reading of “Proposta” by Roberto Carlos and a soaring rendition of Milton Nascimento’s “Idolatrada”, respectively, the songbooks of both composers would continue to inspire Simone throughout her career. Simone made a deep imprint in Brazilian popular culture by recording the theme songs of many television soap operas, and also through her powerful live performances. Brilliantly combining a refined artistic palette with pop culture appeal, she is still at the top of her game both in the recording studio and concert stages around the world.

Soda Stereo (Argentina)

The Buenos Aires power trio Soda Stereo was formed in 1982 by Gustavo Cerati, Zeta Bosio and Charly Alberti. Initially influenced by British new wave, Soda’s early hits like “Cuando Pase El Temblor” and “Nada Personal,” connected with a young generation of fans pining for a rock band that offered a distinct South American perspective. As Soda enjoyed success outside of Argentina, its sound became more sophisticated, and yielded albums like Doble Vida (1988) with classics like “En La Ciudad De La Furia,” while Canción Animal (1990) included “De Música Ligera,” Soda’s biggest hit. The band broke up in 1995, two years after their last studio album, Sueño Stereo, and celebrated their trajectory with the epic double live album El Último Concierto – only to return in 2007 for the final Me Verás Volver tour. Despite Cerati's unexpected death in 2014, Soda Stereo's music continues to live on in the hearts of their fans.

Ana Torroja (Spain)

Ana Torroja became an international pop star in the 1980s as the charismatic voice of the Spanish pop trio Mecano. The iconic group achieved unprecedented levels of success, selling more than 25 million records worldwide. In 1997 Torroja embarked on a solo career with the successful release of Puntos Cardinales, and following the band’s definitive breakup a year later, she blossomed as a sophisticated singer/songwriter experimenting with exhilarating mosaic of styles. In 1999 Torroja surprised her fans again with her second album, Pasajes De Un Sueño, which abandoned the radio-friendly hits of the past in favor of a more cosmopolitan sound, with songs like “Ya No Te Quiero” and “Dentro De Mí." She toured the world with Girados (2000), a joint concert with her friend, the legendary Miguel Bosé, with whom she would later record “Corazones.” She continues to be active in the recording studio and the concert halls of Europe and the Americas, always committed to both her loyal audience and to the genre she has been masterfully defending for more than four decades.

2023 Trustees Award Honorees:

Alex Acuña (Peru)

A drummer and percussionist of remarkable technique, Alex Acuña is also a revered jazz and fusion bandleader. Born in Pativilca, Peru, in 1944, he was enlisted by mambo king Pérez Prado at age 18 after moving to Lima. Acuña later worked in Las Vegas with the legendary Elvis Presley and Diana Ross, and joined jazz-rock supergroup Weather Report in the mid-‘70s, where he contributed progressive polyrhythms to two of the band’s most iconic albums, Black Market (1976) and Heavy Weather (1977). Following his departure from the band, Acuña amassed a prolific discography as a session sideman, working with Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Plácido Domingo, U2 and many others. In the ‘80s, he flexed his creative muscles with the Christian jazz-funk collective Koinonia, and also paid tribute to his Afro-Peruvian roots with the mystically tinged songs of Los Hijos del Sol. In recent years, he contributed his marvelous percussive skills to the soundtracks of such high-profile films as Coco, Moana, West Side Story and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Gustavo Santaolalla (U.S./Argentina)

Argentine composer, singer/songwriter and producer Gustavo Santaolalla—winner of multiple Latin GRAMMYs and GRAMMYs— has single-handedly changed the course of Latin music throughout a tireless career that spans multiple fields, decades and genres. Santaolalla became a rock star in his teens as co-founder of pioneering folk-rock supergroup Arco Iris. After moving to Los Angeles in the late ‘70s and establishing an artistic partnership with keyboardist Aníbal Kerpel, he became the one of the most influential producers in Latin rock history, helming a series of masterful albums by the likes of Café Tacvba, Maldita Vecindad, Julieta Venegas, Juanes and many others. The 1998 release of Ronroco paved the way for a new chapter as a soulful and inventive composer of soundtracks. His haunting scores for Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Babel (2006) won Academy Awards for Best Original Score. Concurrently, he has toured the world as a founding member of the genre-defying Bajofondo, a Rio de la Plata contemporary music group, and has collaborated with a wide array of artists – from Eric Clapton to the Kronos Quartet and classical composer Osvaldo Golijov. In recent years, he has gained acclaim writing the music for the two installments of the video game The Last of Us, as well as its subsequent and highly successful television adaptation, for which he received an Emmy nomination.

Wisón Torres (U.S/Puerto Rico)

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1934, Wisón Torres started playing guitar at just seven years of age, and made his first professional appearance on Puerto Rican radio with Los Sultanes—a group he created and directed—at 14. Then, in 1951, he was given the task of forming and directing Los Hispanos de Puerto Rico, a quartet composed of members of different trios who joined together for special performances throughout the island. Inspired by the progressive arrangements of American jazz quartets, Torres fused their harmonies with a Latin American sensibility, and created a distinct sound for Los Hispanos with his unique ability to arrange and harmonize vocal quartets. The group’s refined, distinctive sound led to extensive tours in Latin America and the United States. In the mid-sixties, Tito Rodríguez produced a series of albums with Los Hispanos the transposed their sound to the pop music of the time. Over the years they also recorded with Tito Puente’s orchestra, toured England and continued with recording projects. With a career spanning more than 75 years, Torres still creates music to this day.

For more information about this event and 24th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, please visit https://customerservice.latingrammy.com.

For more information and the latest news, visit the official Latin Recording Academy site at LatinGRAMMY.com. Follow us on Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), Twitter (@LatinGRAMMYs) or Instagram (@LatinGRAMMYs), and use #LatinGRAMMY on all popular social media platforms.

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is an international nonprofit dedicated to nurturing, celebrating, honoring and elevating Latin music and its creators. Established as the global authority on Latin music, the membership-based organization composed of music professionals produces the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, The Biggest Night in Latin Music®, which honors excellence in the recording arts and sciences, in addition to providing educational and outreach programs for the music community through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

ive@grammy.com

This year’s honorees include Albita, Lolita Flores, Alejandro Lerner, Los Ángeles Azules, Ángel ‘Cucco’ Peña, Chucho Rincón, Draco Rosa and Lulu Santos

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MIAMI (JULY 18, 2024) — The Latin Recording Academy® announced today that Albita, Lolita Flores, Alejandro Lerner, Los Ángeles Azules, Draco Rosa and Lulu Santos will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, as part of its annual Special Awards Presentation. Additionally, Ángel ‘Cucco’ Peña and Chucho Rincón will receive the Trustees Award.

“It is with great pride that we honor these musical legends—who continue redefining our Latin music and heritage—and we look forward to celebrating them as part of our Latin GRAMMY® 25th anniversary festivities in November,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to Latin music and its communities. The Trustees Award is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to Latin music during their careers in ways other than performance. Both distinctions are voted on by The Latin Recording Academy's Board of Trustees.

The honorees will be celebrated during a private event as part of Latin GRAMMY® Week on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Miami. 

2024 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:

Albita (Cuba)

One of the most exuberant ambassadors of Latin culture in the United States, Latin GRAMMY®-winner Albita has championed the rollicking beauty of Cuban music since the release of her debut album in 1988. The daughter of a popular folk duo, Albita Rodríguez was born in Havana in 1962. Noted for the fiery combustion of her vocal cords and a precise understanding of Cuban musical tradition, Albita reignited her career after she left Cuba and moved to Miami in 1993. Her breathtaking live performances at Florida nightclubs resulted in a recording contract with Emilio Estefan’s Crescent Moon label. Released in 1995, her U.S. debut, No Se Parece A Nada, included one of her biggest hits: the brassy tropical anthem “Qué Manera de Quererte,” as well as a velvety bolero – a genre in which she also excels. A prolific songwriter, Albita built up a prodigious discography of original material, fusing the essence of son cubano with traditional trova and balada. The hostess of a highly successful television show, La Descarga Con Albita, she also showcased her formidable acting chops in productions of the Broadway musicals The Mambo Kings, Carmen La Cubana, and Havana. Albita continues actively recording new music, and performing in front of enthusiastic audiences all over the world.

Lolita Flores (Spain)

María Dolores González Flores was born in Madrid in 1958 and was only 17 when she released a hugely successful debut LP, Amor, Amor. In 1976, her second album featured the smash “No Renunciaré,” an impossibly nostalgic balada marked by an ornate arrangement and her gritty performance. During the 1980s, Lolita became a beloved pop star throughout the Americas, and in the 1990s, she developed a parallel career as an award-winning actress and television presenter. The daughter of singers Lola Flores and Antonio González ‘El Pescaílla’ and sister of Rosario and the late Antonio Flores, Lolita found a distinctive personal approach anchored on the gorgeous texture of her vocals and an eclectic repertoire that never ceases to surprise. In 2001, the album Lola, Lolita, Lola triumphed with an irresistible cover of the Cuban standard “Sarandonga,” which her father had recorded in 1966. In later decades Lolita expanded her palette with sophisticated albums such as 2007’s Sigue Caminando, which veered into bossa nova, jazz, and pop-rock.

Alejandro Lerner (Argentina)

A thoughtful singer/songwriter anchored on his impeccable keyboard technique, Alejandro Lerner is the most covered Latin artist of his generation. Born in Buenos Aires in 1957, Alejandro Federico Lerner began his career as a teenager, playing with various legends of 1970s Argentine rock. Released in 1982, his solo debut – Alejandro Lerner Y La Magia – showcased the qualities that would soon garner him millions of fans: solid musicianship, the raw honesty of his lyrics, and a natural gift for evoking delicate, nocturnal moods. Inspired by Argentina’s return to democracy, 1983’s “Todo A Pulmón” was recorded by Spanish star Miguel Ríos and became an international hit. The mutual admiration that he shared with Mexican balada icon Armando Manzanero resulted in several successful tours together. Alternating between his native Argentina and Los Angeles, Lerner collaborated with Carlos Santana on the 2002 album Shaman, and toured with the guitarist. He has also worked with Carole King, Luis Miguel (on the 1996 mega-hit “Dame”), Celine Dion, Air Supply, Gino Vannelli, Paul Anka, Alan Parsons and Barry Gibb, among many other luminaries. In 2005, he was enlisted by Disney to perform the songs in the Spanish version of Chicken Little, and to compose an original song for the closing credits of the animated film. A tireless performer, Lerner is still active in the recording studio, and tours sold-out venues across the Americas.

Los Ángeles Azules (Mexico)

Founded in the Mexico City municipality of Iztapalapa in 1976 by the siblings of the Mejía Avante family, the group released their debut album in 1982. But it was in 1996 that the orchestra became a fundamental part of Mexican cumbia with “Cómo Te Voy A Olvidar.” Noted for their openness to collaborate with artists from other genres, Los Ángeles Azules revolutionized their sound – and the Latin music business – in 2013 by teaming up with legends from the Latin alternative field: Caifanes’ Saúl Hernández, Fabulosos Cadillacs’ Vicentico, and Ximena Sariñana, to name a few. Subsequent duets with Natalia Lafourcade (the retro charm of “Nunca Es Suficiente” in 2018), Argentinian artists (the brilliant fusion of De Buenos Aires Para El Mundo in 2020), and Carlos Santana (2023’s funky single “A Todos Los Rumberos,” with Panteón Rococó), solidified the band’s reign as one of the most beloved acts in all of Latin music.

Draco Rosa (Puerto Rico)

The remarkable musical career of Draco Rosa encompasses many facets—from boy band superstar to iconic rock en español pioneer and global hitmaker—all of them informed by his virtuoso vision and protean talent. Born in Long Island, New York, in 1969 to Puerto Rican parents, the Latin GRAMMY®-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Robert Edward Rosa Suárez got his first taste of fame as a member of Menudo. After a brief stint with rock band Maggie’s Dream, Rosa released two fundamental albums that shaped the 1990s wave of Latin American rock: 1994’s Frío and 1996’s Vagabundo. Delving into the pop machinery with the desire to subvert any and all expectations, Rosa co-wrote “Livin’ la Vida Loca” and other pop smashes for former Menudo bandmate Ricky Martin and also produced songs for Julio Iglesias. Always invested in exploring new ground, he developed a solo career that switches effortlessly from epic alternative rock (2018’s Monte Sagrado) to soulful ambient sonics (2021’s Sound Healing 1:11). This year marked the release of Reflejos de Lo Eterno, a transcendent covers collection of Latin alternative classics.

Lulu Santos (Brazil)

A prodigiously talented guitarist, singer, and composer able to infuse an ethereal sense of romance into every song he touches, Lulu Santos has spent the past five decades carving a distinguished path in Brazilian music. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1953, Luiz Maurício Pragana dos Santos abandoned his studies in favor of the hippie movement and a music career. After founding the ambitious progressive rock outfit Vímana, Santos launched a solo career in 1982 with the album Tempos Modernos. The jangly self-titled track and the lush “De Repente Califórnia” epitomized the MPB aesthetic of the time: sunny pop-rock chords, oblique melodies, and echoes of new wave. His third LP, 1984’s Tudo Azul, established him as one of the key Brazilian rockers of the decade. Still, Santos’ tireless quest for novel forms of expression found him incorporating dance, funk, and R&B into his 1990s output. A passionate champion of fellow musicians, Santos released poignant albums revisiting the songbooks of fellow legends Roberto and Erasmo Carlos (2013) and Rita Lee (2017). He remains active in music having recently released a new EP of remixes – Atemporal – in May of 2024.

2024 Trustees Award Honorees:

Ángel ‘Cucco’ Peña (Puerto Rico)

Marc Anthony. Celia Cruz. Willie Colón. Gilberto Santa Rosa. These are just a few of the many stars whose work was enhanced by the talent of composer, producer, and orchestrator Ángel ‘Cucco’ Peña, a living legend of Puerto Rican music. Born in Santurce in 1948, Peña attended Puerto Rico’s Conservatory of Music and later sharpened his skills as a performer with tropical ensemble Orquesta Panamericana. His ability to infuse his Puerto Rican roots into every recording he touched cemented his sterling reputation as a sympathetic collaborator of other artists. In 1993, he co-produced Willie Colón’s classic LP Hecho en Puerto Rico, including the salsa anthem “Idilio.” The late 1990s were a time of fiery creativity for Peña. He produced Marc Anthony’s third album, Contra la Corriente, took over the musical direction on Gilberto Santa Rosa’s live album En Vivo Desde El Carnegie Hall, and contributed to LPs by Ricky Martin (the pop blockbuster Vuelve), Chayanne and Celia Cruz. The Latin GRAMMY® winner has worked extensively in film, advertising and television specials, and remains and active ambassador of Latin music.

Chucho Rincón (Mexico)

A prolific composer, producer, and label executive, Latin GRAMMY®-winner Chucho Rincón is a pioneer of the Mexican recording industry and a guiding light within Latin music. Born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in 1937, Jesús ‘Chucho’ Rincón Cárdenas grew up in Michoacán and learned to play the guitar at a young age. After moving to Mexico City and taking acting and voice lessons, he became the lead vocalist for the soulful Trío Los Aguilillas in 1956. Rincón left the band in favor of a solo career and began writing songs in 1962. His charismatic presence and musical expertise facilitated a transition into a musical director with several labels. Working for Capitol, he signed many artists, including a young Joan Sebastian, whose career he would continue to shepherd decades later. In 1988, Rincón moved with his family to Spain where he became the musical director of the Orfeón label. He has produced over 300 albums by stars such as Alejandro Fernández, Chavela Vargas, and La Sonora Santanera and composed over 200 songs, including the mega-hit “Quén Pompó.” Rincón continues producing music as part of a creative team with his son Fabián. 

Alex Hadad will serve as executive producer of the event, working under the direction of The Latin Recording Academy’s production team led by Ayleen Figueras.

For more information and the latest news, visit the official Latin Recording Academy site at LatinGRAMMY.com. Follow us on Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), Twitter (@LatinGRAMMYs) or Instagram (@LatinGRAMMYs), and use #LatinGRAMMY on all popular social media platforms.

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ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is an international nonprofit dedicated to nurturing, celebrating, honoring and elevating Latin music and its creators. Established as the global authority on Latin music, the membership-based organization composed of music professionals produces the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, The Biggest Night in Latin Music®, which honors excellence in the recording arts and sciences, in addition to providing educational and outreach programs for the music community through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malavé

ive@grammy.com

Click here for photos

 Credit: Santiago Felipe/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy®

NEW YORK (JULY 11, 2024) — The Latin Recording Academy®, in association with the Latin Alternative Music Conference, hosted a joint concert last night at SummerStage in New York City’s Central Park, featuring Latin GRAMMY® nominees Bruses and Israel Fernández, and Latin GRAMMY® winner Fonseca. In addition, The Latin Academy welcomed guests with a time capsule showcasing important and memorable moments of Latin GRAMMY history.

The event was one of the many Latin Academy anniversary celebrations taking place ahead of the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, which will air live from the Kaseya Center in Miami on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.  The three-hour telecast will be produced by TelevisaUnivision, the leading Spanish language media and content company in the world, and will air live on Univision, Galavisión and Vi beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central), preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT. This year’s nominees will be announced on Tuesday, Sept. 17th.

The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) returns to New York City this summer for a 25th time, boasting dynamic panels, powerhouse showcases, and a wide range of events. With past conferences averaging more than 1,250 music industry attendees and 25,000 concert fans, this year’s LAMC promises to be its most exciting edition yet.

ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is an international nonprofit dedicated to nurturing, celebrating, honoring and elevating Latin music and its creators. Established as the global authority on Latin music, the membership-based organization composed of music professionals produces the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, The Biggest Night in Latin Music®, which honors excellence in the recording arts and sciences, in addition to providing educational and outreach programs for the music community through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

ABOUT THE LAMC: 
Dubbed the “Sundance of Latin music”, the LAMC is the premiere conference celebrating and supporting forward-thinking genres of Latin music and the overall Latin music industry. It is a conference that is made by the Latin music industry for the Latin music industry, including panels, workshops, showcases and networking with many of the creatives and executives moving the Latin music industry forward. The LAMC 2024 virtual version in April had almost one million unique visitors tuned in and the in-person version this July is once again sold out with panels and showcases across New York City.

 

PRESS CONTACTS:

The Latin Recording Academy

Iveliesse Malave

Ive@grammy.com

Four talented researchers, musicologists, non-profit organizations and educational institutions will receive a total of $20,000 for research and preservation of Latin music

MIAMI (JUNE 25, 2024) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced the four winners of its Latin Music Research and Preservation Grant program receiving a total of $20,000 amongst projects. This program provides grants to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, musicologists, and researchers around the world who are enhancing and preserving Latin music heritage. This year, an eclectic group of institutions and scholars will receive this support. The four grants, with a maximum value of $5,000 each, support diverse initiatives. The Research Grants support projects that emphasize historical and anthropological research, in addition to documenting traditions and Latin folklore, while Preservation Grants fund the archiving and preservation of Latin music and its unique customs.

“Research and Preservation Grants play an important role in ensuring the legacy of Latin music and future creators, we are grateful to our donors for their generosity and commitment to advancing Latin music and its heritage,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Together, we are able to increase our impact and support additionally deserving projects in fulfillment of our mission.”

Awarded Research Grants:

Daniel Bustos-Echeverry, Colombia – Cantos de la amazonía no-visible (Songs of the invisible Amazon)* is a musical, ethnographic, and archival research project that seeks to highlight the value of the ceremonial songs, melodies, and verses of Siona women. The Siona are an indigenous Amazon community of fewer than 4,000 inhabitants that are at risk of physical and cultural disappearance. The research focuses on the analysis of the Siona’s ceremonial songs, verses, and melodies of Siona women, who have been displaced from leadership in yagé ceremonies. The results will be integrated and distributed in a macro-project within a Fulbright Amazonia research project that will promote the establishment of a path toward preservation of this knowledge.

Dr. Katrin Lengwinat and Carmen Díaz, Venezuela – Through the songs and narratives of Latin America’s diverse peoples, the project Nutrir el Futuro de la Música y Narraciones Latinoamericanas (Nourishing the Future of Latin American Music and Narratives)* seeks to provide a future of social and emotional well-being, in which love, and a consciousness of cultural identity contribute to subjectivity and interaction. Through research, dynamic performances, recordings, and distributing a curated collection of songs for children and youth up to age 12, it seeks to nurture harmonious psychosocial development, and engage with communities through workshops, concerts, and digital platforms, to reach a broad audience. Rapid technological development has brought about radical changes in all aspects of human life. In an era of rapid technological advancement, Dr. Katrin Lengwinat and Carmen Díaz see a concerning trend toward social isolation and disconnection from one’s cultural heritage. However, they view this as an opportunity to unveil a symbolic legacy that can enrich every individual's expressive and creative potential. Therefore, this project proposes to increase the visibility of artistic heritage, because it contains a cultural wealth that is not widely known among current generations. The exploration and synthesis of the musical and the literary contribute to the reconstruction of broken bonds in families, schools, and communities. Through the creation of alternatives, it is possible to promote increased closeness among people, emotional connectedness, and a unique identity.

Awarded Preservation Grants:

• The Celia Cruz Foundation, United States of America – Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, made a profound mark on music. Her legacy resides not only in her iconic recordings and captivating performances but also in a vast archive of more than 200 hours of behind-the-scenes footage from her early collaborations with the Fania All-Stars and other notable figures. From the 1970s to the 2000s, these recordings offer a unique glimpse into her artistic journey and the vibrant musical scene of the time. With the project titled, “Digitization of Celia Cruz Recordings, 1970s – Early 2000s”, its mission is to digitize this valuable collection, preserving it for future generations and making it accessible worldwide to fans, historians, and researchers. The project will digitize and preserve approximately 150 – 200 hours of unedited footage of Celia Cruz, comprised of 200 VHS tapes from the early 1970s to the 2000s. The preservation transfers will be digitized at the highest resolution possible for archival rate, therefore honoring the legacy of Celia Cruz and preserving her impact on music history.

Javier Soriano, Cuba-France – José Mauri Esteve’s compositions hold immense significance not only for Cuba but also for the broader socio-musical history of Hispanic American societies during the 19th and 20th centuries. Over time, the musical heritage of José Mauri Esteve has faced challenges, resulting in its significant deterioration, and hindering study and performance. In response, the restoration project named José Mauri Esteve: Rescate y Restauración de un Patrimonio Musical Hispanoamericano* (Jose Mauri Esteve: Rescue and Restoration of a Hispanic American Musical Heritage) has been created to revive and preserve his invaluable contributions to music. This restoration journey includes various steps, including critical editions of Esteve's works, the careful reconstruction of lost or damaged musical material, and in-depth analysis of his best-preserved compositions. Through this restoration journey, it plans to honor the legacy of José Mauri Esteve but also reaffirm the significance of his musical contributions to Cuba and the broader Hispanic American musical history. Through preservation and dissemination, it aspires to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of his rich cultural heritage among audiences worldwide.

A committee of experts from Latin America, the Iberian Peninsula, and the United States selected the recipients among numerous qualified candidates. Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded more than $195,000 in grants to support projects, one of which received a Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY® Award.

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ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy®, with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. In 2024 the Foundation will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, and during the last decade it has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $10 million dollars with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on X and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

305.428.3476

The exclusive event was attended by members of The Latin Recording Academy®, artists and entertainment industry figures, with Rums of Puerto Rico as an official sponsor

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Credit:The Latin Recording Academy®

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (JUNE 13, 2024) – The Latin Recording Academy® presented its first Best New Artist Showcase of the year featuring previous Best New Artist Latin GRAMMY® winners Joaquina and Kany García, who is also a five-time Latin GRAMMY winner. The event took place at the Museo de Arte de San Juan.

“Taking the Best New Artist Showcase series to Puerto Rico for the first time, alongside Joaquina and Kany García, is an exciting opportunity to continue celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards,” said Manuel Abud, CEO, The Latin Recording Academy. “The support of our Presenting Partner Mastercard, and Official Sponsor Rums of Puerto Rico, enables us to continue delivering on our mission to foster the next generation of Latin music makers.”

The Best New Artist Showcase series is the centerpiece of the partnership between Mastercard and The Latin Recording Academy. The concept kicked off in November 2022 during Latin GRAMMY Week, and showcases have since been held in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Seville.

"At Mastercard, we understand that music is more than just a sound; it's a passion that unites us all. We are excited to partner with The Latin Recording Academy to continue to connect our cardholders with their passions and create unforgettable experiences for them and their families,” said Pablo Cuarón, Country Manager for Puerto Rico at Mastercard.

The next Best New Artist Showcase will take place later this year and more details will be shared soon.

Rums of Puerto Rico was an official sponsor of the Best New Artist Showcase for the first time and provided rum-inspired cocktails from their portfolio for all attendees.

For the latest news, visit the official Latin Recording Academy site at LatinGRAMMY.com. Follow us on Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), X (@LatinGRAMMYs) or Instagram.

ABOUT JOAQUINA:

At just nineteen, Joaquina has quickly become one of Latin pop’s most exciting rising stars. In 2023, she won the Latin GRAMMY® for Best New Artist. Additionally, Joaquina’s debut EP Los Mejores Años—for which she received a second Latin GRAMMY® nomination for Best Singer-Songwriter Album—demonstrated the singer-songwriter’s special knack for capturing the nuances of teenage angst in a way that was equally catchy and poetic.

ABOUT KANY GARCÍA:

Winner of five Latin GRAMMYs®—including one in the Best New Artist category in 2008—Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kany García has written and performed some of Latin pop's biggest hits, including “Hoy Ya Me Voy,” “Alguien,” “Duele Menos,” and “Para Siempre”. She often uses her voice to tell stories of women through her lyrics, and she was honored as a Leading Lady of Entertainment by The Latin Recording Academy® in 2022.

ABOUT THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY:

The Latin Recording Academy® is an international nonprofit dedicated to nurturing, celebrating, honoring and elevating Latin music and its creators. Established as the global authority on Latin music, the membership-based organization composed of music professionals produces the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, The Biggest Night in Latin Music®, which honors excellence in the recording arts and sciences, in addition to providing educational and outreach programs for the music community through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®. For more information, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com.

ABOUT MASTERCARD (NYSE: MA)

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. For more information, please visit www.mastercard.com.

RUMS OF PUERTO RICO:

About Rums of Puerto Rico Program, a division of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), was created in 1948 to administer advertising and promotional programs to encourage rum consumption and protect its leadership in the U.S. market. Quality brands produced in Puerto Rico must be aged for at least one year, by law. This sets the level of excellence that only the best rums have and offers an extensive selection in the rum category including Bacardi, Don Q, Ron del Barrilito, Club Caribe, Reserva Añeja, Artesano Rum, Ron Pepón, Coqui Rum, Crab Island Rum, Rincón Rum, Boricua Rum, and Ron Superior, among others.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Exclusive Agency on behalf of The Latin Recording Academy

Elina Adut

eadut@eadut.com

The Latin Recording Academy

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.alberto@grammy.com