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The career of Brazilian singer and songwriter Caetano Veloso is marked by era-defining songs. His music has been part of the soundtrack of the lives of several generations of Latin music fans. Summing it all up in a one-hour show seems an insurmountable challenge.

But helped by a star studded cast including Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra, Nelly Furtado and Enrique Bunbury, the Latin Recording Academy celebrated Veloso as its 2012 Person of the Year with a rich presentation that showcased and honored many of his remarkable achievements.

Hosted by singer Julieta Venegas, a five-time Latin GRAMMY winner, and Gabriel Abaroa, President and CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, and staged at the vast Arena Garden at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the show combined video, photo collages and live performances. 

It opened with a biographical video that retraced Veloso’s story from his beginnings (“I never intended to be a musician” he says early on) through the turbulent ‘60s in Brazil, Tropicalia, exile and his many reinventions to today, still a challenging songwriter, thinker and performer.

Appropriately, considering the honoree, the participating artists were not content with playing the hits but instead put their own stamp on Veloso’s music.

Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY winner Nelly Furtado, a Canadian of Portuguese descent, tackled one of Veloso’s classics “Leaozinho,” a song he first recorded in his album Bicho in 1977, but giving it a brisk ska beat. Spanish rocker Enrique Bunbury and Spanish hip hop singer La Mala Rodriguez put an original spin to the classic “Os Argonautas, an epoch making track in Veloso’s so-called Álbum Branco (White Album) which was released in Brazil in 1969. They sang the first half as an old time chanson, before La Mala exploded it with a burst of rap. Also interesting was hearing Spanish singer La Mari (of Chambao) naturally giving “Onde O Rio e Mais Baiano” a flamenco flavor.

Sanz is one of those artists who by the force of their personality can turn almost any song into a personal statement, easily, almost naturally, perhaps the best tribute from artist to artist.

Renowned artists including Juan Manuel Cañizares, Diego Amador, José María Bandera, Jaime Calabuch "Jumitus," Antonio Carmona, Ané Carrasco, Tino Di Geraldo, Rubem Dantas, David de Jacoba, Oscar D’León, Carlos Grilo, Jesús Guerrero, Juan Habichuela (nieto), Chonchi Heredia, José Heredia "El Gato,” Noemí Humanes, Niño Josele, Abraham Laboriel, Rosario La Tremendita, María José Llergo, Makarines, India Martínez, Carlos Merino, Eliades Ochoa, Juan Parrilla, Miguel Poveda, Berta Rojas, Israel Suárez "Piraña" and Maria Toledo participated in the tribute

The Latin Recording Academy®and the Regional Government of Andalucía continue their celebration of Latin music in Andalucía, Spain with an event calendar that extends into 2025

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Photo Credit: Carlos Alvarez and Borja Benito/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy®

CÁDIZ (SPAIN), APRIL 13, 2024 — Today, The Latin Recording Academy® held the Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Paco de Lucía event in Cádiz, honoring one of the most influential guitarists in the history of flamenco and music in general.

The event was co-financed by the Programa FEDER Andalucía 2021-2027 and the Regional Government of Andalucía and sponsored by the City of Cádiz and the Enrique Tomás brand of jamón ibérico.

In keeping with The Latin Recording Academy’s mission of promoting Latin music and building bridges between countries, musical genres and cultures, thus creating opportunities for exposure beyond its city and country of origin, the event brought together an impressive number of artists and creators, who traveled to Cádiz to celebrate flamenco master Paco de Lucía.

The celebration, attended by family members of the Andalucian icon, witnessed unique and memorable moments beginning with the host and Latin GRAMMY® nominee Miguel Poveda, who kicked off the evening with Federico García Lorca’s poem “La guitarra” before introducing de Lucía’s anthem “Entre dos aguas” alongside Juan Manuel Cañizares, José María Bandera, Rubem Dantas, Niño Josele and Abraham Laboriel.

From there, the night became a voyage around the world, with artists and friends who accompanied him during his life and who performed some of most beloved songs composed by the maestro, whose insatiable curiosity was a constant source of musical creation. That curiosity led him to incorporate the cajón into the flamenco genre, an event that artists Antonio Carmona, Rubem Dantes, Ané Carrasco, Tino Di Geraldo, Israel Suárez "Piraña", and Víctor Martínez chose to commemorate with a special performance during the ceremony.

The Gran Teatro Falla where the very special musical event was held also welcomed contributions from artists including Latin GRAMMY® winners Oscar D’León, Eliades Ochoa and Berta Rojas as well as Latin GRAMMY nominees Diego Amador, María José Llergo, India Martínez, Maria Toledo and Rosario La Tremendita.

The program also featured special guests including Carlos Grilo, Jesús Guerrero, Juan Habichuela (nieto), Chonchi Heredia, José Heredia "El Gato,” David de Jacoba, Jaime Calabuch "Jumitus," Noemí Humanes, The Makarines, Carlos Merino and Juan Parrilla, who paid homage to de Lucía’s music and mastery.

The evening’s electrifying final performance included young artists, who performed the song “Solo quiero caminar” arranged by Víctor Martínez, showcasing a striking fusion of musical genres and rhythms as they interpreted de Lucía’s musical legacy for future generations.

Also in attendance were Cádiz Mayor Bruno García and Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Regional Government of Andalucía. Additionally, important local figures such as Esmeralda Rancapino, Claudia la Chispa, Hamza, Maria Espejo, Lucia Serrano, among others attended the celebration.

During the event an exclusive project was launched by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® in collaboration with the Paco de Lucía Foundation and Berklee College of Music: featuring the recording and video of de Lucías’s “Cositas buenas.” The performance included arrangements and instrumentation by artists from the Alalá Foundation and was produced by Salomé Limón, a member of The Latin Academy’s Circle of Producers and Engineers, with the participation of four Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation scholarship recipients.

Proceeds from event ticket sales will support the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and the Paco de Lucía Scholarship.

The event was produced by Macarena Moreno and The Latin Recording Academy’s team headed by Ayleen Figueras. Carlos Narea led musical production, under the musical direction of Fernando Illán and Víctor Martínez, who also were part of the band.

This was the first live event that The Latin Recording Academy® has hosted in the Community of Andalucía in 2024 to continue elevating its culture around the world. On May 16, 2024, they will host a new Latin GRAMMY Session at Plaza de Toros (La Malagueta) in Málaga.

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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 CONTACTS / EQUIPO SINGULAR

Sofia Esnaola: sofia.esnaola@equiposingular.com

María García: maria.garcia@equiposingular.com

THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY

Nathalie Alberto: Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

Tickets are on sale now through the Gran Teatro Falla, and all proceeds will benefit the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and the Paco de Lucía Scholarship

The event is co-financed by the Programa FEDER Andalucía 2021-2027 and the Regional Government of Andalucía and sponsored by the city of Cádiz and the Enrique Tomás brand of ibérico ham

CÁDIZ (SPAIN), APRIL 2, 2024 - On April 13, The Latin Recording Academy® will host Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Paco de Lucía in Cádiz, at the Gran Teatro Falla, paying homage to one of the most influential guitarists in the history of flamenco and music in general.

“It is an honor to be able to celebrate the legacy of the great Paco de Lucía, and the influence that he had on his generation and continues to have on new generations of music creators both in Spain and across IberoAmerica,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy.

The event is co-financed by the Programa FEDER Andalucía 2021-2027 and the Regional Government of Andalucía, and sponsored by the city of Cádiz and the Enrique Tomás brand of ibérico ham.

Among the artists whose participation is confirmed are Latin GRAMMY® winners Antonio Carmona, Oscar D’León, Eliades Ochoa and Berta Rojas, as well as Latin GRAMMY nominees Diego Amador, Rubem Dantas, María José Llergo, Niño Josele, India Martínez, Israel Suárez "Piraña", Maria Toledo y Rosario La Tremendita.

Additionally, the program will feature special guests including Cañizares, Ané Carrasco, Tino di Geraldo, Juan Habichuela (nieto), Chonchi Heredia, José Heredia "El Gato", David de Jacoba, Jaime Calabuch "Jumitus", Noemí Humanes, Juan Parrilla, José María Bandera, and 2022 Trustees Award winner, Abraham Laboriel, whom will pay tribute to Lucía’s music and mastery.

Latin GRAMMY nominee Miguel Poveda will serve as host for the evening, and will also perform alongside Carlos Grilo, Jesús Guerrero, Makarines and Carlos Merino.

The event will be produced by Macarena Moreno and The Latin Recording Academy team led by Ayleen Figueras. The musical production is spearheaded by Carlos Narea, under the musical direction of Fernando Illán and Victor Martínez who will also be part of the band.

Tickets for Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Paco de Lucía are on sale now through the Gran Teatro Falla and proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and the Paco de Lucía Scholarship.

The cities of Cádiz and Málaga—where a Latin GRAMMY® Session will take place on May 16—will host a calendar of events that The Latin Recording Academy will celebrate in the Community of Andalucía this year to continue promoting its culture around the world.

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 CONTACTS / EQUIPO SINGULAR:

María García: maria.garcia@equiposingular.com

Sofia Esnaola: sofia.esnaola@equiposingular.com

A new Field and two Categories added, and changes to requirements for existing categories also made

MIAMI (MARCH 27, 2024) — As part of The Latin Recording Academy®’s commitment to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape and to best serve its membership body of music creators and professionals, we are pleased to announce that several changes, including a new field and categories, have been added to the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards Process.

NEW FIELD & CATEGORY

FIELD: ELECTRONIC MUSIC

CATEGORY: BEST LATIN ELECTRONIC MUSIC PERFORMANCE

For singles and tracks only (vocal or instrumental). Recordings must have 51% playing time of Latin Electronic music genres (as defined by the Latin Electronic Committee), as well as related emerging genres, and Latin elements, in order to accurately reflect the current trends in Latin electronic music. Recordings containing interpolations/sampling are eligible if the interpolation/sampling does not constitute more than 25% of the lyrics and/or 51% of the music of the original song. Latin electronic remixes are eligible. Award is presented to solo artists, duos or groups (for groups of more than 10 members, the statuette will be presented to the “leader” of the group). Winner’s Certificates are presented to producer(s), engineer(s), mixer(s), composer(s) and to the original recording artist, if applicable.

NEW CATEGORY

BEST CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN MUSIC ALBUM (REGIONAL-MEXICAN FIELD)

For vocal or instrumental albums of Contemporary Regional Mexican Music, in Spanish, which contain at least 51% of the total time recorded with new material, and which maintain at least 60% of the essence of the genres of Regional Mexican Music. Award is presented to solo artists, duos or groups, producer(s), recording engineer(s) and mixing engineer(s) of 51% or more of the total playing time of the album. Winner’s Certificates are presented to mastering engineer(s) and to producer(s), engineer(s), and mixer(s) of less than 51% of the total playing time (if not the artist).

ADDITIONAL CATEGORY AMENDMENTS

1. CATEGORY NAME CHANGE:

Best MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) / MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa-Brasileira) Album (Portuguese Language Field)

For vocal or instrumental Música Popular Brasileira and Afro-Portuguese-Brazilian Music albums containing at least 51% of total play time of new material.

2. AMENDMENT TO DEFINITION:

Best Singer-Songwriter Song (Singer-Songwriter Field)

For singles or tracks that contain at least 60% of the lyrics in Spanish, Portuguese or any native regional dialect. Must be a new song composed and performed 100% by the singer-songwriter(s). Award is presented to the songwriter(s). Winner’s Certificate presented to the music publisher.

3. NEW VIDEO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Best Long Form Music Video Category (Music Video Field)

Eligible videos in Best Long Form Music Category consist of at least 12 minutes of duration (reduced from 20 minutes).

4. AMENDMENT TO THE RULE REGARDING NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS:

Number of nominations in a category will be based on the number of entries (All Fields)

Each category shall have at least 40 distinct artist entries. If a category receives between 25 and 39 entries, only three recordings will receive nominations in that year. Should there be fewer than 25 entries in a category, that category will immediately go on hiatus for the current year and entries will be screened into the next most logical category. If a category receives fewer than 25 entries for three consecutive years, the category will be discontinued, and submissions will be entered in the next most appropriate category.

ONLINE ENTRY PROCESS

NEW GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS:

1. Single Submission Round

All submissions for the Online Entry Process (for recordings released June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024) will occur in one single round of entries, starting on April 1, 2024, and closing on April 30, 2024 at 6 p.m. (PT). Any releases scheduled for May 2024 must be submitted in April, before the Online Entry Process closes, and the streaming link and credits must be submitted by May 31, 2024.

2. Removal of Final Submit Concept

Submissions can be completed ‘as they go’, there is no need to hold on completion of all entries for a final submit, thus facilitating the submission of entries.

All updates go into effect immediately for the upcoming 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards® taking place in November 2024. To view this year’s Awards calendar, visit https://www.latingrammy.com/en/awards/calendar.

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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

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com

The Latin Recording Academy® and the Regional Government of Andalucía are continuing their celebration of Latin music in Andalucía, Spain, with two concerts that are part of a calendar of events extending into 2025

The year gets underway April 13 in Cádiz with Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Paco de Lucía and a second Latin GRAMMY® Session in Málaga on May 16

MIAMI, MARCH 25, 2024 – The Latin Recording Academy®, in collaboration with the Regional Government of Andalucía, is announcing the calendar of events taking place in the Community of Andalucía in 2024. Cádiz and Málaga are the cities chosen to host two big events this year. The cities will host two concerts, co-financed by the Programa FEDER Andalucía 2021-2027 and the Regional Government of Andalucía, offering unique, exceptional musical experiences that will continue to advance the culture of Andalucía around the world.

Cádiz will be the starting point of this year’s calendar of activities with Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Paco de Lucía, a tribute to the artist to be held April 13 in the Gran Teatro Falla. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase later this week via the Gran Teatro Falla and the funds raised from the sales will benefit the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation and the Paco de Lucía Scholarship. It will be followed on May 16 by a new Latin GRAMMY® Session in Málaga from The Latin Recording Academy at La Plaza de Toros, La Malagueta.

The Latin Recording Academy® and the Regional Government of Andalucía continue their celebration of Latin music in Andalucía, building on last year’s successes: the two Latin GRAMMY® Sessions dedicated to flamenco and urban music that took place in Granada and Málaga respectively; and Latin GRAMMY® Week, held in Sevilla in November, which culminated in the celebration, for the first time outside the U.S., of the 24th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, The Biggest Night in Latin Music ®.

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 / EQUIPO SINGULAR

María García: maria.garcia@equiposingular.com

Sofia Esnaola: sofia.esnaola@equiposingular.com