The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Ford Motor Company Fund join forces, for a record 25th time, to offer live educational program and music instrument donation

 

For additional images, please click here. Credit: Rob Kim/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

 

NEW YORK, NY (APRIL 8, 2022) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with GRAMMY® -winning songwriter and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, donated musical instruments valued at $40,000 to George Washington Educational Campus in Washington Heights, New York.

The donation was part of the first live, in-person Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ educational program since 2020, and featured a conversation and performance in honor of Miranda. A Q&A with students moderated by award-winning Broadway actress and television personality Bianca Marroquín followed.

Eight-hundred enthusiastic music students from George Washington Educational Campus received the surprise of a lifetime when Miranda arrived to watch their performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and the Oscar-nominated single “Dos Oruguitas,” written by Miranda for the Oscar-winning Disney animated feature film, Encanto.

“What a thrill to watch first-hand as the incredibly talented students at the George Washington Educational Campus performed my work and brought their fellow students to their feet,” said Miranda. “I’m so grateful to be here with the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program to support their dreams.”

“We live in a world with little room for creativity, and the arts allow our students to explore their creative brilliance and limitless possibilities,” said Zulaika Velázquez, Artistic Director & Teaching Artist at George Washington Educational Campus. “We are incredibly grateful and honored by the generous donation from the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, Ford Motor Company Fund, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Welcome to our theater family!”

“Our commitment to fostering the next generation of Latin music creators remains steadfast. Through the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, we bolster programs that provide young musicians with access to instruments and a first-class education,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy®. “Together, with the generosity of the Ford Motor Company Fund, and the dedication of the leadership and students at George Washington Educational Campus, we continue to preserve our cultural heritage.” 

“Music education is an important component of providing students with a well-rounded education. We are proud to support the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools educational program and the donation of musical instruments to inspire and motivate students to pursue their musical studies,” said Yisel Cabrera, Senior Manager, Ford Motor Company Fund.

The performing arts program at George Washington Educational Campus was launched by Velázquez in 2015, in partnership with former principal Juan Villar. Together, they saw a unique opportunity to leverage musical theater as a holistic learning tool where students would cultivate performance skills in a safe space and develop their confidence, learn and improve fluency in English, and gain a better understanding of complex subject matters in a creative and immersive environment. The program has continued to grow thanks to the incredible support of the new administration and current principal, Sofia Russo, who have been instrumental in helping to usher in change and continue to champion the program’s expansion for the school.

The vision included plans for built-in music and TV studios at George Washington Educational Campus which are nearing completion. Over the last seven years, Velázquez and her students have been hard at work bringing productions to life. As a result of their efforts, the program will be expanding this fall to include a teacher who will focus on dance and choreography that has been in place since 2015 but did not have a full-time teacher. Willi Mena, the new teacher and choreographer, has been collaborating with Velázquez for years in other productions. Over the course of the next school year, each department will work together to execute new productions. The theater department will focus on the acting company of characters, the technical theater department will develop lighting and set design, the music school will master the score and the dance department will center on the choreography. In the future, the program aims to also incorporate a costume department. 

Since the beginning of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund in 2014, more than 28,660 students have benefited from donations exceeding $560,000 worth of musical instruments to schools in U.S. cities such as Aransas Pass, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and New York; as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry and supports educational music departments that have financial limitations. The Foundation invites artists, professional musicians, and sound engineers to visit middle and high schools, universities, or music education institutions to share their personal stories and experiences with students that highlight the effort it takes to overcome career obstacles. The goal is for students to learn to optimize the educational opportunities presented to them, giving them an advantage and strong academic preparation to be able to compete in the music industry.

 

Previous artists who have participated in the program include: Ángela Aguilar, David Bisbal, Marilina Bertoldi, Miguel Bosé, Calle 13, Pedro Capó, Camilo, Chino & Nacho, Chiquis, Luis Coronel, Silvestre Dangond, Joss Favela, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Gente de Zona, Leslie Grace, Carlos Jean, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Poncho Lizárraga, Claudia Montero, Ednita Nazario, Christian Nodal, Ángel "Cucco" Peña, Prince Royce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañón, Thalía, Christian Serratos, Diego Torres, Carlos Vives, Wisin, and Sebastián Yatra.

 

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ABOUT LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA:

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a Pulitzer Prize, GRAMMY, Emmy and Tony Award-winning songwriter, actor and director. He is the creator and original star of Broadway’s Tony-winning Hamilton and In the Heights. His additional Broadway credits include Freestyle Love Supreme (co-founder, guest star, Special Tony Award recipient), Bring It On: The Musical (co-composer/co-lyricist, Tony nomination for Best Musical), and West Side Story (2009 revival, Spanish translations). Miranda is the recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Foundation Award, the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors and the 2019 Portrait of a Nation Prize. He received an Emmy Award with Tom Kitt for their song, “Bigger” from the 67th Annual Tony Awards. Miranda and his family are active supporters of initiatives that increase people of color’s representation throughout the arts and government, ensure access to women’s reproductive health, and promote resilience in Puerto Rico. His film and TV credits include: tick, tick … Boom!, Encanto, Vivo, In the Heights, Hamilton (2021 Emmy Award), His Dark Materials, Fosse/Verdon, We The People, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Curb Your Enthusiasm (2018 Emmy nomination, Guest Actor), Saturday Night Live (2017 Emmy Nomination, Guest Actor), Sesame Street, The Electric Company, House, DuckTales, 200 Cartas, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Moana (2017 Oscar nomination, GRAMMY Award for Best Original Song) and Mary Poppins Returns. Miranda received his B.A. from Wesleyan University in 2002. He lives with his family in New York.

 

ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® in 2014 to further international awareness and appreciation of the significant contributions of Latin music and its makers to the world’s culture. The Foundation provides college scholarships, educational programs and grants for the research and preservation of its rich musical legacy and heritage, and to date has donated more than $6.5 million with the support of Latin Recording Academy members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information, or to make a donation, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.com, Amazon Smile or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Twitter and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook. 

 

About Ford Motor Company Fund:

As the automaker's philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund has been supporting underserved and underrepresented communities for more than 70 years. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in more than 50 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2.2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

               

The Latin Recording Academy                                                        

Nathalie Alberto

Nathalie.Alberto@grammy.com                                                                                               

 

The Exclusive Agency on behalf of The Latin Recording Academy

Elina Adut

Eadut@eadut.com

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

Click here for images

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

For additional images, please click here.

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