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Jesse & Joy Receive Nominations in All Three Major Latin Grammy Categories

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It’s a rare triple for Jesse & Joy…

The Mexican pop duo, comprised of Jesse Huerta and his sister Joy Huerta, lead the pack of nominees for the 17th annual Latin Grammy Awards with four nods.

Jesse & Joy

Jesse & Joy, big winners at the Latin Grammys in 2012, are the only artists to snag the triple crown this year, meaning they earned nominations in all three of the top categories.

They’re nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for their acclaimed hit single “Ecos de Amor,” as well as Album of the Year for the duo’s latest studio effort, Un Besito Más.

Jesse & Joy’s album is also nominated in the Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album.

But Jesse & Joy aren’t the only artists to receive four nods…

Colombian star Fonseca is nominated for two albums: Conexión, up for album of the year, and Homenaje (A La Musica De Diomedes Díaz), up for Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album.

Other four-time nominees include Brazilian singer/songwriter Djavan, sound engineer Ricardo López Lalinde and producer/engineer Julio Reyes Copello (the last two for their work with Fonseca, Andrés Cepeda and Diego Torres).

Artists with three nods each include Spaniard and Latin Grammy darling Pablo Alborán, Argentine alt/folk/rocker Kevin Johansen, Colombian newcomer Manuel Medrano and Argentine singer/songwriter Diego Torres.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the nominations was the absence of one dominating name, trend or hit. The only big smash hits present in the main categories, for example, are Enrique Iglesias and Wisin’s “Duele el Corazon” and Carlos Vives and Shakira’s “La Bicicleta,” both up for record and song of the year.

The great variety of nominees could be for many reasons, Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president/CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, tells Billboard.

“Many artists have changed their release strategy. Where they once released albums every year, now they’re releasing every two years or 18 months, and that may have opened up the space for other artists previously recognized by the Academy who are now returning, like Andres Cepeda, Carla Morrison or Bebe.”

For the first time, the Latin Recording Academy offered digital voting to its membership of creators across all disciplines of music — recording artists, songwriters, producers and engineers.

Following Wednesday’s (Sept. 21) announcement, the final round of voting for the 17th annual Latin Grammy Awards opens September 27 and closes October 13 at 6 p.m. PT.

The Latin Grammys will air live on Univision from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on November 17.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

Record of the Year
Pepe Aguilar, “Cuestión De Esperar”
Pablo Alborán, “Se Puede Amar”
Andrea Bocelli, “Me Faltarás”
Buika, “Si Volveré”
Djavan, “Vidas Pra Contar”
Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin, “Duele El Corazón”
Jesse & Joy, “Ecos De Amor”
Laura Pausini, “Lado Derecho Del Corazón”
Diego Torres, “Iguales”
Carlos Vives & Shakira, “La Biccleta”

Album of the Year
Pablo Alborán, Tour Terral Tres Noches En Las Ventas
Andrea Bocelli, Cinema (Español edition)
Andrés Cepeda, Mil Ciudades
Djavan, Vidas Pra Contar
Fonseca, Conexión
Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo 2
Jesse & Joy, Un Besito Más
José Lugo & Guasábara Combo, ¿Donde Están?
Diego Torres, Buena Vida
Julieta Venegas, Algo Sucede

Song of the Year
“A Chama Verde,” Patty Brayden, Ned Claflin & John Finbury, songwriters (John Finbury feat. Marcella Camargo)
“Bajo El Agua,” Manuel Medrano, songwriter (Manuel Medrano)
“Céu,” Celso Fonseca, songwriter (Celso Fonseca)
“Duele El Corazón,” Enrique Iglesias, Patrick A. Ingunza, Silverlo Lozada, Servando Moriche Primera Mussett, Hasibur Rahman, Francisco Saldana & Wisin, songwriters (Enrique Iglesias feat. Wisin)
“Ecos De Amor,” Jesse & Joy, Danelle Leverett, Jason Reeves & Rune Westberg, songwriters (Jesse & Joy)
“En Ésta No,” Sin Bandera, songwriters (Sin Bandera)
“Es Como El Día,” Kevin Johansen, songwriter (Kevin Johansen + The Nada)
“Hermanos,” Moska & Fito Páez, songwriters (Fito Páez & Moska)
“La Bicicleta,” Andrés Castro, Shakira & Carlos Vives, songwriters (Carlos Vives & Shakira)
“La Tormenta,” Flavio Cianciarulo, songwriter (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs)

Best New Artist
Sophia Abrahão
Alex Anwandter
The Chamanas
Esteman
Joss Favela
Ile
Mon Laferte
Manuel Medrano
Morat
Ian Ramil 

Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album
Pablo Alborán, Tour Terral Tres Noches En Las Ventas
Jesse & Joy, Un Besito Más
Pablo López, El Mundo Y Los Amantes Inocentes
Luciano Pereyra, #TuMano
Reik , Des/Amor

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Adrian, Lleno De Vida
Andrea Bocelli, Cinema
Andres Cepeda, Mil Ciudades
Juan Gabriel, Los Duo 2
Diego Torres, Buena Vida

Best Urban Fusion/Performance
Alexis y Fido, “Una En Un Millon”
El Dusty feat. Happy Colors, “Cumbia Anthem”
Jacob Forever, “Hasta Que Se Seque El Malecon”
Tubarao feat. Maneirinho & Anitta, “Pra Todas Elas”
Yandel, “Encantadora”

Best Urban Music Album
J Balvin, Energia
El B, Luz
Emicida, Sobre Crianças, Quadris, Pesadelos E Lições De Casa…
Farruko, Visionary
Arianna Puello, Despierta

Best Urban Song
“A Donde Voy,” Miguel Correa, Cosculluela, Daddy Yankee, José Gómez, Roberto Martínez Lebrón, Jorge Oquendo & Orlando Javier Valle Vega, songwriters (Cosculluela feat. Daddy Yankee)
“Acércate,” De La Ghetto, songwriter (De La Ghetto)
“12 Rosas,” Juan Alonzo V. Angulo, Francisco Espinoza, David Rolas, Sito Rocks & Rafael Vargas, songwriters (David Rolas feat. Fulanito & Sito Rocks)
“Encantadora,” Egbert Rosa Cintrón, Farruko, Eduardo A. Vargas Berrios & Yandel, songwriters (Yandel)
“Hardcore & Feroz,” Arianna Puello, songwriter (Arianna Puello) 

Best Rock Album
Andrea Álvarez, Y Lo Dejamos Venir
Marilina Bertoldi, Sexo Con Modelos
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, La Salvación De Solo Y Juan
Massacre, Biblia Ovni
Spinetta, Los Amigo 

Best Pop/Rock Album
Caramelos De Cianuro, 8
Jotdog, Universos Paralelos
La Santa Cecilia, Buenaventura
Meteoros, Meteoros
Julieta Venegas, Algo Sucede 

Best Rock Song
“Abismo,” Asier Cazalis, songwriter (Caramelos De Cianuro)
“Fantasma Soy,” Gustavo Cordera, songwriter (Gustavo Cordera)
“La Tormenta,” Flavio Cianciarulo, songwriter (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs)
“Nada Salvaje,” Luisina Bertoldi, Brenda Martín & Gabriel Pedernera, songwriters (Eruca Sativa)
“Niña Dios,” Massacre, songwriters (Massacre) 

Best Alternative Music Album
Bebe, Cambio De Piel
Esteman, Caótica Belleza
Illya Kuryaki & The Valderramas, L.H.O.N.
Mon Laferte, Mon Laferte – Vol. 1
Carla Morrison, Amor Supremo 

Best Alternative Song
“Ángeles Y Serafines,” Gustavo Cortés, Ricardo Cortés & Nicolas González, songwriters (Sig Ragga)
“Averno, El Fantasma,” Vicentico, songwriter (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs)
“Deus,” Felipe Antunes & Otávio Carvalho, songwriters (Vitrola Sintética)
“Es Como El Día,” Kevin Johansen, songwriter (Kevin Johansen + The Nada)
“Vez Primera,” Carla Morrison, songwriter (Carla Morrison) 

Best Salsa Album
Grupo Niche, 35 Aniversario
India, Intensamente India Con Canciones De Juan Gabriel
José Lugo & Guasábara Combo, ¿Dónde Están?
Bobby Valentín, Mi Ritmo Es Bueno
Johnny Ventura, Tronco Viejo
Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album
El Gran Martín Elías y Rolando Ochoa, Imparables
Fonseca, Homenaje (A La Música De Diomedes Díaz)
Kuisitambó, Desde El Fondo
Pipe Peláez y Manuel Julián, Vestirte De Amor
Various Artists, Mujeres Por Colombia – Vallenato Volúmen 2 

Best Contemporary Tropical Album
Héctor Acosta “El Torito,” Merengue Y Sentimiento
David Calzado y Su Charanga Habanera, Vivito Y Coleando
Guaco, Guaco Histórico 2
Toño Restrepo, En La Sala Con El Joe
Daniel Santacruz, Toda La Vida
Charlie Zaa, Mi Mejor Regalo 

Best Traditional Tropical Album
Rafael Pollo Brito, Pa’ Tío Simón
La Sonora Santanera, La Sonora Santanera En Su 60 Aniversario
Jesús “Chino” Miranda, El Malquerido: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro, El Más Grande Y Universal
Various Artists, Cuba Y Puerto Rico Son…

Best Tropical Fusion Album
Cali Flow Latino, Full HD
Cosa Nuestra, Pregoneros De La Calle
Explosión Negra, Levántate
Gente De Zona, Visualízate
“Treo, Genera 

Best Tropical Song
“Esta Noche Hay Fiesta,” Jorge Luis Piloto, songwriter (Maia)
“La Bala,” Antonio Ávila, songwriter (Johnny Ventura Featuring Gilberto Santa Rosa)
“La Carretera,” Prince Royce & Daniel Santacruz, songwriters (Prince Royce)
“No Me Daba Cuenta,” Orlando Rodríguez Di Pietro, songwriter (Gabriel C)
“Vine A Buscarte,” Omar Alfano, Fonseca & Yadam González Cárdenas, songwriters (Fonseca) 

Best Singer-Songwriter Album
Francisco Céspedes, Todavía
Djavan, Vidas Pra Contar
Pedro Guerra, Arde Estocolmo
Kevin Johansen + The Nada, Mis Américas, Vol. 1/2
Alejandro Lerner, Auténtico
Manuel Medrano, Manuel Medrano 

Best Banda Album
Julión Álvarez, Mis Ídolos, Hoy Mis Amigos!!!
Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga, Raíces
Banda Los Recoditos, Me Está Gustando
Banda Troyana, Tengo Ganas De Ser Fiel
La Séptima Banda, A Todo Volumen 

Best Tejano Album
Ram Herrera, Mucho Mas Que Amor
The Legends, La Historia De La Musica Tejana
Marian y Mariel, Vulnerable A Ti
Michael Salgado, Por Cielo Y Tierra
Jay Pérez, Un Amigo Tendrás 

Best Norteño Album
Joss Favela, Hecho A Mano
Intocable, Highway
Los Ramones De Nuevo León, Tierra Mojada
Los Tigres Del Norte, Desde El Azteca
Pesado, Tributo A Los Alegres De Terán

Best Regional Song
“Amor De Los Pobres,” Javier Manriquez, songwriter (La Original Banda El Limón De Salvador Lizárraga)
“Ataúd,” Erika Ender, Manu Moreno & Mónica Vélez, songwriters (Los Tigres Del Norte)
“Me Está Gustando,” Salvador Aponte, Dany Pérez & César Valdivia, songwriters (Banda Los Recoditos)
“Te Dirán,” Espinoza Paz, songwriter (La Adictiva Banda San José De Mesillas)
“Volví Pa’l Pueblo,” Joan Sebastian, songwriter (Joan Sebastian) 

Best Instrumental Album
Víctor Biglione, Mercosul
Hamilton de Holanda, Samba De Chico
João Donato, Donato Elétrico
Carlos Franzetti, Argentum
Bruno Miranda, Mosaico 

Best Folk Album
Grupo Mapeyé, En Las Islas Canarias
Los Huayra, Gira
Palo Cruza ́O, En Armonías Colombianas
Nahuel Pennisi, Primavera
Marco Rodrigues, Fados Do Fado 

Best Tango Album
Ariel Ardit & Filarmónica De Medellín, Gardel Sinfónico
Julio Botti, Pablo Ziegler & Saul Zaks Conducting The Unversity Of Southern Denmark Symphony
Orchestra, Sax To Tango
Nicolás Ledesma y Su Orquesta, Cuando Llora La Milonga
Omar Mollo, … Tangamente
Leonardo Pastore, Carlos Gardel Original 

Best Flamenco Album
Remedios Amaya, Rompiendo El Silencio
José Mercé, Doy La Cara
Niña Pastori, Ámame Como Soy
Antonio Reyes y Diego Del Morao, Directo En El Círculo Flamenco De Madrid
María Toledo, Magnética 

Best Latin Jazz Album
Mario Adnet, Jobim Jazz (Ao Vivo)
Antonio Adolfo, Tropical Infinito
Raul Agraz, Between Brothers
Carrera Quinta, Big Band
Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Cuba: The Conversation Continues 

Best Christian Album
Christine D’Clario, Eterno (Live)
Generasion, Ciudad De Luz
Alex Sampedro, Alex Sampedro
Emir Sensini, Deseo Tu Gloria
Marcos Vidal, 25 Años 

Best Portuguese Language Christian Album
Paulo César Baruk, GraçA Quase Acústico {Rs}
Ceremonya, A Vida Num Segundo
Padre Fabio De Melo, Deus No Esconderijo Do Verso
Adelso Freire, Reaprender
Anderson Freire, Deus Não Te Rejeita 

Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album
Céu, Tropix
Tiago Iorc, Troco Likes
Larissa Luz, Território Conquistado
Mariza, Mundo
Thiago Ramil, Leve Embora 

Best Portuguese Language Rock Album
Boogarins, Manual
Ian Ramil, Derivacivilização
Scalene, Éter
Jay Vaquer, Canções De Exílio
Versalle, Distante Em Algum Lugar

Best Samba/Pagode Album
Martinho da Vila, De Bem Com A Vida
Eduardo Gudin, Notícias Dum Brasil 4
Corina Magalhães, Tem Mineira No Samba
Rogê & Arlindo Cruz, Na Veia
Various Artists, Sambas Para Mangueira 

Best MPB Album
Dani Black, Dilúvio
Roberta Campos, Todo Caminho É Sorte
Celso Fonseca, Like Nice
Roberta Sá, Delírio
Elza Soares, A Mulher Do Fim Do Mundo 

Best Sertaneja Music Album
Paula Fernandes, Amanhecer
Leonardo, Bar Do Leo
Lucas Lucco, Adivinha
Michel Teló, Baile Do Teló
João Victor, Sóis 

Best Brazilian Roots Album
Lucy Alves & Clã Brasil, No Forró Do Seu Rosil
Heraldo do Monte, Heraldo Do Monte
Elba Ramalho, Cordas, Gonzaga E Afins
Almir Sater & Renato Teixeira, AR
Alceu Valença, A Luneta E Tempo – Trilha Sonora Original 

Best Portuguese Language Song
“Amei Te Ver,” Tiago Iorc, songwriter (Tiago Iorc)
“D De Destino,” Almir Sater, Paulo Simões & Renato Teixeira, songwriters (Almir Sater & Renato Teixeira)
“Maior,” Dani Black, songwriter (Dani Black feat. Milton Nascimento)
“Maria Da Vila Matilde (Porque Se A Da Penha É Brava, Imagina A Da Vila Matilde),” Douglas Germano, songwriter (Elza Soares)
“Vidas Pra Contar,” Djavan, songwriter (Djavan) 

Best Latin Children’s Album
ClaraLuna, 1,2,3 Llega Navidad
Marta Gómez, Canciones De Sol
Omara Portuondo, Canciones De Cri Cri “El Grillo Cantor”
123 Andrés, Arriba Abajo
Various Artists, Canciones Y Palabras, Vol. 1
Xuxa, ABC Do XSPB

Best Classical Album
Biber: Baroque Splendor, Jordi Savall; Manuel Mohino, album producer
Danzas En Todos Los Tiempos, Edith Peña; Francisco Moya Castro, album producer
Durón: Lagrimas, Amor…, A Corte Musical, Rogerio Gonçalves & Eva Juárez
El Hilo Invisible (Cantos Sefaradíes), Cuarteto Latinoamericano & Jaramar; Gerry Rosado, album producer
José Serebrier Conducts Samuel Adler, Maximilian Hornung, cellist & José Serebrier; Philip Hobbs, album producer 

Best Classical Contemporary Composition
“Beyond The Silence Of Sorrow,” Roberto Sierra, composer (Maximiano Valdés conducting the Puerto
Rico Symphony Orchestra; Martha Guth, soprano)
“Cuarteto Para Buenos Aires,” Claudia Montero, composer (Claudia Montero)
“Jardín Del Adiós,” Fernando Otero, composer (Nick Danielson, violinist; Fernando Otero, pianist)
“Mi Familia,” Gustavo Casenave, composer (Gustavo Casenave Featuring Nick Danielson & Pedro Giraudo)
“Sonata De Los Viajeros,” Leo Brouwer, composer (Brasil Guitar Duo) 

Best Recording Package
Atlas, Lisa Akerman Stefaneli, art director (Baleia)
El Poeta Halley, Sergio Mora, art director (Love Of Lesbian)
Impredecible, Goster, art director (Bareto)
Relevante, Marcus Mota, art director (Mario Diníz)
Umbral, Goster, art director (Melnik)

Best Engineered Album
Delírio, Rodrigo Campello, Márcio Gama, Aurélio Kauffmann, Jon Luz & Fernando Nunes, engineers; Rodrigo Campello & Márcio Gama, mixers; Carlos Freitas, mastering engineer (Roberta Sá)
Like Nice, Moogie Canazio, engineer; Moogie Canazio, mixer; Ron McMaster, mastering engineer (Celso Fonseca)
Magnética, Salomé Limón & Caco Refojo, engineers; Salomé Limón & Caco Refojo, mixers; Caco Refojo, mastering engineer (María Toledo)
Samba De Chico, Daniel Musy, engineer; Daniel Musy, mixer; André Dias, mastering engineer (Hamilton de Holanda)
Tropix, Be Hussey, Gustavo Lenza, Diogo Poças & Rodrigo Sanches, engineers; Mike Cresswell, mixer; Felipe Tchauer, mastering engineer (Céu) 

Producer of the Year
Rafa Arcaute
Eduardo Cabra
Moogie Canazio
Kim Fanlo
Rafa Sardina

Best Short Form Music Video
“Siempre Es Viernes En Mi Corazón,” Alex Anwandter (Alex Anwandter, video director; Sergio Alvarado, video producer)
“Verte Ya,” Gustavo Casas y Los Que Buscan (Adolfo Bueno, video director; Esther Padial, video producer)
“Lo Más Bonito Del Mundo,” Delafé (Delafé, video director; Delafé, video producer)
“Comix,” El Guincho feat. Mala Rodríguez (Canada, video director; Canada, video producer)
“Gallo Negro,” Illya Kuryaki & The Valderramas (Hernán Corera, video director; Hernán Corera, video producer)

Best Long Form Music Video
“Desde Adentro – Impuesto De Fe (En Vivo),” Babasónicos (Diego Álvarez, video director; Gaston Etchechoury & Miguel Tafich, video producers)
“10 Años Con Bebe,” Bebe (Hernán Zin, video director; Olmo Figueredo, Germán Gutiérrez, Nerio Gutiérrez, Sara Santaella & Hernán Zin, video producers)
“Justo Ahora Y Siempre,” Dvicio (Willy Rodríguez, video director; Juan Carlos Moguel, video producer)
“Primera Fila,” Las Tres Grandes: Eugenia León, Tania Libertad & Guadalupe Pineda (Ricardo Calderón, video director; Ricardo Calderón & Ricardo Gascón, video producers)
“Sirope Vivo,” Alejandro Sanz (Carlos Sánchez, video director; Clac, video producer)

Jesse & Joy to Co-Headline the 2016 Latin Grammy Acoustic Sessions

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Jesse & Joy are going acoustic…

The Mexican pop duo, comprised of Jesse Huerta and his sister Joy Huerta, will co-headline the 2016 Latin Grammy Acoustic Sessions, which lead up to the 17th annual Latin Grammy Awards taking place November 17 in Las Vegas.

Jesse & Joy

Jesse & Joy, big winners at the 2012 Latin Grammys, will join fellow headliners Gloria Trevi and Sin Bandera.

Sin Bandera will kick off the sessions on September 21 — the same day nominees are announced — in Los Angeles with Mexican singer Carlos Rivera as the opening act.

Following Sin Bandera’s intimate show, Trevi will perform in Dallas on October 12, while Jesse & Joy will close the sixth edition of the sessions in Miami with Colombian singer/songwriter Manuel Medrano as the opening act on October 25.

“These exclusive events pave the way towards the biggest night in Latin music while allowing Latin music fans to celebrate together, in a true intimate setting, with some of today’s most esteemed artists,” Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president/CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, said in a statement.

“As the Session series enters its sixth year, we couldn’t be more proud and excited to continue to bridge the relationship between artists and Latin music fans. Commencing this year’s Latin GRAMMY season, we look forward to celebrating Latin music along with these gracious and talented musicians. With a new Acoustic Sessions partner, Stryd, I’m sure we can expect to experience some remarkable concerts.”

The Latin Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on Univision from the Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena.

Boneta to Serve as a Presenter at the Latin Grammys

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Diego Boneta is heading to the Latin Grammys…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer/actor will join Zoe Saldaña, Rita Moreno, Miguel Bose, Yandel, Julieta Venegas, Leslie Grace, Victor Manuelle, current nominees including René Camacho, Pedro Capó and Aída Cuevas and over a dozen other Latin personalities in presenting awards at the Latin Grammys on Thursday night.

Diego Boneta

A total of 22 well-known presenters will cross the stage at the 16th annual Latin Grammy Awards, joining 32 performers, including Fifth Harmony, Latin chart-topping artists Nicky Jam and J Balvin, OMI of “Cheerleader” fame, Ricky Martin, regional Mexican star Espinoza Paz, urban sensation Maluma and six-time Grammy winners Banda el Recodo. Will Smith is set to appear with Colombian duo Bomba Estereo, and Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Roberto Carlos will also perform.

The show will be broadcast live on the Univision Network Thursday night (Nov. 19) at 8 p.m. ET/PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Actress Roselyn Sanchez and model and Univison presenter Jacqueline Bracamontes will host the awards.

Fifth Harmony to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

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Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello and Lauren Jauregui are ready to make their Latin Grammys debut.

Fifth Harmony

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members have been added to the performance lineup for this year’s awards show.

No word on what song the all-girl group, named to this year’s Billboard 21 Under 21 list, will perform, but the ladies did release a Spanish version of their hit single “Worth It.” Entitled “(Worth It) Dame Esta Noche,” was released earlier this summer.

In addition to Fifth Harmony, the Latin Recording Academy has booked OMI, Ricky Martin, Espinoza Paz, Maluma and Banda el Recodo to take the stage at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on November 19 for Latin music’s biggest night.

Six-time Grammy winners Banda El Recodo, Latin urban phenom Maluma and regional Mexican star  Paz each received one nomination this year — best banda album for Mi Vicio Más Grande, best urban performance for “El Tiki,” and best regional song for “Perdí La Pose,” respectively.

 

Pop idol Martin is also among this year’s nominees, having scored three nods: record of the year and song of the year for “Disparo Al Corazón” and best contemporary pop vocal album for A Quien Quiera Escuchar.

Previously announced performers include Julión Álvarez, Bomba Estéreo with Will Smith, J Balvin, Choc Quib Town, Silvestre Dangond, Nicky Jam, Natalia Jiménez, Natalia Lafourcade, Juan Luis Guerra, Major Lazer and mØ, Matisse, and Raquel Sofía.

Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Roberto Carlos will also grace the stage for a special performance.

Lafourcade to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

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Natalia Lafourcade is certain to take the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys.

The 31-year-old Mexican pop-rock singer-songwriter, a five-time nominee for this year’s awards show, including nods for Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year, has joined the list of performers at the Latin Grammys on November 19.

Natalia Lafourcade

Lafourcade, a three-time Latin Grammy winner and two-time Grammy nominee, will take the stage of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. There’s no word on what song she’ll perform.

She joins a growing roster of performers that includes Julión Álvarez, Silvestre Dangond and Nicky Jam, along with a special performance by this year’s Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Roberto Carlos.

Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda and Silvestre Dangond each received one nomination. In the best banda album category, Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda are nominated for El Aferrado. Dangond is nominated with Lucas Dangond in the best cumbia/vallenato album category for Sigo Invicto.

Nicky Jam has two nominations for best urban performance: “Una Cita (Remix)” with Alkilados featuring J Alvarez & El Roockie, and “El Perdón” with Enrique Iglesias.

Previously announced performers include current nominees ChocQuibTown, J Balvin, Natalia Jiménez, Juan Luis Guerra, Matisse and Raquel Sofía.

The show, co-hosted by Devious Maids star Roselyn Sanchez and Mexican model and actress Jacqueline Bracamontes, will air live November 19 on Univision.

Sanchez to Co-Host This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

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Roselyn Sanchez will have a big night at this year’s Latin Grammys…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer and Devious Maids star will co-host the upcoming 16th annual edition of the awards show together with Mexican actress and model Jacqueline Bracamontes, according to the Latin Recording Academy and Univision.

Roselyn Sanchez

Sanchez, who plays aspiring singer Carmen Luna on Lifetime’s Devious Maids, is no stranger to music.

She released her debut album, Borinqueña, in September 2003. The first single from the album, “Amor Amor,” was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Music Video.

Sanchez recently made headlines when she bowed out as co-host of the Miss USA pageant, citing Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant remarks as the reason. She has since spoken out about immigration reform.

On November 19, Sanchez will join Bracamontes, a former beauty queen and actress well-known to Univision audiences, on the stage of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the awards show, to be broadcast live on the Spanish-language network.

Last year, Bracamontes hosted the show with Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez.

García Leads the Latin Grammy Nominee Pack with Six Nods

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It’s turning out to be a massive year for Leonel García…

The Latin Recording Academy has announced its nominees for the 16th annual Latin Grammys, with the 40-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and former member of the musical duo Sin Bandera earning six nods.

Leonel García

García, who released his album Amor Futuro last November, earned four of his nominations in the key categories, receiving two nods for Song of the Year category, one for Record of the Year, and one for Album of the Year for producing Natalia Lafourcade’s album.

Meanwhile, Mexican indie artist Lafourcade and her album Hasta La Raiz follow close-behind with five nominations.

Up for record and album of the year are Alejandro Sanz and Juan Luis Guerra, who each claimed four nominations.

Ricky Martin, Nicky Jam, Pablo Alborán, Café Quijano, Pedro Capó and Vicentico follow with three nods each

The 2015 Latin Grammys will air live on November 19th from the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas via Univision.

Here’s the complete list of nominations:

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Fiesta – Bomba Estéreo
Encanto – Miguel Bosé
Será (Vida De Hombre) – Café Quijano
La Vida Entera – Camila Featuring Marco Antonio Solís
Ella Es – Leonel García Featuring Jorge Drexler
Tus Besos – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade
Disparo Al Corazón – Ricky Martin
Un Zombie A La Intemperie – Alejandro Sanz
Ese Camino – Julieta Venegas

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
MTV Unplugged – Pepe Aguilar
Son De Panamá – Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Amo – Miguel Bosé
Orígenes: El Bolero Volumen 3 – Café Quijano
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
Creo En Mí – Natalia Jiménez
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade
Caja De Música – Monsieur Periné
Sirope – Alejandro Sanz
Consentido – María Toledo

SONG OF THE YEAR
Disparo Al Corazón – Pedro Capó, Yoel Henríquez, Ricky Martin & Rafael Esparza Ruiz, songwriters (Ricky Martin)
Ese Camino – Julieta Venegas, songwriter (Julieta Venegas)
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel Garcia & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Natalia Lafourcade)
Hoy Es Domingo – Beatriz Luengo, Antonio Rayo Gibo, Yotuel Romero & Diego Torres, songwriters (Diego Torres)
Por Fin – Pablo Alborán, songwriter (Pablo Alborán)
Quédate Con Ella – Claudia Brant & Natalia Jiménez, songwriters (Natalia Jiménez)¿Recuerdas? – Leonel García, songwriter (Leonel García)
Un Zombie A La Intemperie – Alejandro Sanz, songwriter (Alejandro Sanz)
Vida De Mi Vida – Gian Marco, songwriter (Gian Marco)
Vivo – Pedro Capó, songwriter (Pedro Capó)

BEST NEW ARTIST
Kaay
Iván “Melón” Lewis
Manu Manzo
Matisse
Monsieur Periné
Julieta Rada
Tulipa Ruiz
Raquel Sofía
Vázquez Sounds
Vitrola Sintética

BEST CONTEMPORARY POP VOCAL ALBUM
Terral – Pablo Alborán
Amo – Miguel Bosé
Aquila – Pedro Capó
A Quien Quiera Escuchar – Ricky Martin
Sirope – Alejandro Sanz

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Astrid Asher – Astrid Asher
Orígenes: El Bolero Volumen 3 – Café Quijano
Nada Es Demasiado – Mojito Lite
Necesito Un Bolero – Gilberto Santa Rosa
Último Acto – Vicentico

BEST URBAN PERFORMANCE
A Ti Te Encanta – Alexis & Fido
Una Cita (Remix) – Alkilados Featuring J Alvarez, El Roockie y Nicky Jam
Ay Vamos – J Balvin
El Perdón – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
El Tiki – Maluma
Calentura – Yandel
Sígueme Y Te Sigo – Daddy Yankee

BEST URBAN MUSIC ALBUM
El Que Sabe, Sabe – Tego Calderón
Farruko Presents Los Menores – Farruko
Greatest Hits Vol 1 – Nicky Jam
The Last Don II – Don Omar
Legacy: De Lider A Leyenda Tour (Deluxe Edition) – Yandel

BEST URBAN SONG
A Ti Te Encanta – Alexis & Fido & Juan Jesús Santana, songwriters (Alexis & Fido)
Ay Vamos – J Balvin, Rene Cano, Alejandro “Mosty” Patiño & Alejandro “Sky” Ramírez, songwriters (J Balvin)
Back It Up (Spanish Version) – Ilya, Savan Kotecha, Pitbull & Prince Royce, songwriters (Prince Royce Featuring Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull)
Dando Break – Tego Calderón & Ernesto Padilla, songwriters (Tego Calderón)
Sígueme Y Te Sigo – Carlos Ortiz, Luis Ortiz & Daddy Yankee, songwriters (Daddy Yankee)

BEST ROCK ALBUM
Y/O – Charliepapa
La Venganza De Cucamonga – Cuca
B – Diamante Eléctrico
Monarca – La Gusana Ciega
El Tiempo Otra Vez Avanza – NoTeVaGustar

BEST POP/ROCK ALBUM
Habla Tu Espejo – El Cuarteto De Nos
Corazones – Mikel Erentxun
Todo Es Ahora – Manolo García
Flamboyán – Camila Luna
Cama Incendiada – Maná
Malditos Pecadores – Moderatto

BEST ROCK SONG
Astrómetra – Charliepapa, songwriters (Charliepapa)
Celebración – Daniel Aceves & JotDog, songwriters (JotDog)
Entre La Espada y La Pared – Adolfo Cabrales & Carlos Raya, songwriters (Fito & Fitipaldis)
Esclavo De Tu Amor – Cachorro López & Vicentico, songwriters (Vicentico)
Todo Va A Arder – Daniel Álvarez & Juan Galeano, songwriters (Diamante Eléctrico)

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Amanecer – Bomba Estéreo
Sombras De Oro – Centavrvs
Hasta La Raíz – Natalia Lafourcade
Y La Banda Sigue – Los Auténticos Decadentes
Moctezuma – Porter

BEST ALTERNATIVE SONG
Allí Estás – Famasloop, songwriters (Famasloop)
Caribbean – Andrés Nusser, songwriter (Astro)
Hasta La Raíz – Leonel García & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Natalia Lafourcade)
No Llora – Roberto Musso, songwriter (El Cuarteto De Nos)
Otra Era – Javiera Mena, songwriter (Javiera Mena)

BEST SALSA ALBUM
Son De Panamá – Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta
Jukebox Primera Edición – Luis Enrique
Que Suenen Los Tambores – Víctor Manuelle
Son 45 – Ismael Miranda
Estaciones – Rey Ruiz

BEST CUMBIA/VALLENATO ALBUM
Por Siempre – Américo
Sencillamente –  Jorge Celedón & Gustavo García
Sigo Invicto – Silvestre Dangond & Lucas Dangond
Al Son De Mi Corazón – Gusi
El Camino De Mi Existencia – Ivan Villazón y Saúl Lallemand

BEST CONTEMPORARY TROPICAL ALBUM
Buen Camino – Lucas Arnau
Lloviendo Estrellas – Leslie Grace
Presente Continuo – Guaco
Todo Tiene Su Hora – Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
Johnny Sky – Johnny Sky

BEST TRADITIONAL TROPICAL ALBUM|
#SiguedeModa – Checo Acosta
Tributo A Los Compadres No Quiero Llanto – José Alberto “El Canario” & Septeto Santiaguero
Homenaje A Tito Rodríguez – Rafael “Pollo” Brito
El Alma Del Son – Tributo A Matamoros – Alain Pérez
Locos Por El Son – Sonlokos

BEST TROPICAL FUSION ALBUM
Radio Universo – Chino y Nacho
El Mismo – ChocQuibTown
Esa Morena – Daiquiri
The King Is Back – Juan Magan
El Día Que Vuelva – Jorge Villamizar

BEST TROPICAL SONG
Agua Bendita – Andrés Castro & Víctor Manuelle, songwriters (Víctor Manuelle)
Cómo Duele El Silencio – Edgar Barrera, Efraín Dávila, Guianko Gómez & Leslie Grace, songwriters (Leslie Grace)
Tú Tienes Razón (Bachata) – Gusi, songwriter (Gusi)
Tus Besos – Juan Luis Guerra, songwriter (Juan Luis Guerra 4.40)
Ya Comenzó – Alex Cuba, Luis Enrique & Fernando Osorio, songwriters (Luis Enrique)

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUM
Equilibrio – Santiago Cruz
Healer – Alex Cuba
Amor Futuro – Leonel García
Este Instante – Marta Gómez
#Libre – Gian Marco

BEST RANCHERO ALBUM
Pa’ Que Sientas Lo Que Siento – Aida Cuevas
Acaríciame El Corazón – Pedro Fernández
Mariachi Flor De Toloache – Mariachi Flor De Toloache
Alegría Del Mariachi – Mariachi Los Arrieros Del Valle
Mexicano Hasta Las Pampas 2 – Diego Verdaguer

BEST BANDA ALBUM
El Aferrado – Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
Mi Vicio Mas Grande – Banda El Recodo De Don Cruz Lizarraga
Dejando Huella – Banda Rancho Viejo
Alucine – El Coyote y Su Banda Tierra Santa
Ojos En Blanco – La Arrolladora Banda El Limón De René Camacho

BEST TEJANO ALBUM
Tributo Al Amor y Dolor – Alazzan
Nueva Era – La Fiebre
Dueña De Mi Amor – Los Gallitos
El Ídolo De Tejas – Rubén Ramos & The Mexican Revolution
Al Fin Completa – Elida Reyna y Avante
Sentimientos – Sólido

BEST NORTEÑO ALBUM
El Karma – Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes Del Rancho
Cruzando Territorio – La Energía Norteña
Abrázame – Pesado
Mi Vida En Vida – Remmy Valenzuela
Levantando Polvadera – Voz De Mando

BEST REGIONAL SONG
El Amor De Su Vida – Julio Bahumea, songwriter (Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda)
Me Sobrabas Tú – José Alberto Inzunza & Luciano Luna, songwriters (Banda Los Recoditos)
Para Que Nunca Llores – Raúl Jiménez E. & Chucho Rincón, songwriters (Diego Verdaguer)
Perdí La Pose – Espinoza Paz, songwriter (Espinoza Paz)
Todo Tuyo – Mauricio Arriaga, Edgar Barrera & Eduardo Murguía, songwriters (Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Tema – Antonio Adolfo
Triology – Chick Corea Trio
Dr. Ed Calle Presents Mamblue – Ed Calle & Mamblue
Brazilian Nights – Kenny G
Camino – Gustavo Santaolalla

BEST FOLK ALBUM
La Muerte Del Rucio Moro – Reynaldo Armas
Balas y Chocolate – Lila Downs
Ayahuasca Dreams – Ciro Hurtado
Hijos De La Tierra – Los Tekis
30 Años + 5 Días – Teresa Parodi

BEST TANGO ALBUM
Aníbal Troilo 100 Años – Ariel Ardit
Piazzolla: Desde Estudios A Tangos – Octavio Brunetti & Elmira Darvarova
Homenaje A Astor Piazzolla – Orquesta Del Tango De Buenos Aires
Bogotá – Buenos Aires – Quinteto Leopoldo Federic
Historia Del Tango – History Of Tango – Berta Rojas & Camerata Bariloche
Troilo 100 Años – Selección Nacional De Tango

BEST FLAMENCO ALBUM
Andando – Joselito Acedo
Sinergia – Argentina
Bendito – Blas Córdoba “El Kejío” & Chano Domínguez
Amar En Paz – Estrella Morente & Niño Josele
Sonetos Y Poemas Para La Libertad – Miguel Poveda
conSentido – María Toledo
Entre 20 Aguas: A La Música De Paco De Lucía – (Varios Artistas)

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
Jazz Meets The Classics – Paquito D’Rivera
Jazzeando – Eddie Fernández
Ayer Y Hoy – Iván “Melón” Lewis
Negroni Piano +9 – José Negroni
I Make You Want To Move – José Valentino Ruiz & The Latin Jazz Ensemble Featuring Giovanni Hidalgo

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (SPANISH LANGUAGE)
Amanece – Marco Barrientos
Derroche De Amor – Alex Campos
Voy Tras De Ti Con Todo – Emmanuel y Linda
Mujer Frente A La Cruz – Son By 4
Irreversible – Tercer Cielo

BEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM (PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE)
Da Eternidade – Fernanda Brum
Ao Vivo – Anderson Freire
Posso Tudo Nele – Jane Gomes
Como Águia – Bruna Karla
Não Vou Desistir – Wilian Nascimento

BEST BRAZILIAN CONTEMPORARY POP ALBUM
Insano – Jamz
Músicas Para Churrasco Vol. 2 – Seu Jorge
Vida Loka – Onze:20
Dancê – Tulipa Ruiz
Blam! Blam! – Jonas Sá

BEST BRAZILIAN ROCK ALBUM
Banda Do Mar – Banda do Mar
Insular Ao Vivo – Humberto Gessinger
Supernova – Malta
Não Pare Pra Pensar – Pato Fu
Sol-Te – Suricato

BEST SAMBA/PAGODE ALBUM
Verde Amarelo Negro Anil – Nilze Carvalho
Herança Popular – Arlindo Cruz
Só Felicidade – Fundo de Quintal
Em Samba! Ao Vivo – Mart’nália
Bossa Negra – Diogo Nogueira & Hamilton de Holanda
Ser Humano – Zeca Pagodinho
Sorriso Eu Gosto – Ao Vivo No Maracanãzinho – Sorriso Maroto

BEST MPB (MUSICA POPULAR BRASILEIRA) ALBUM
Meus Quintais – Maria Bethânia
Centenário Caymmi – Dorival Caymmi
Guelã – Maria Gadú
Carbono – Lenine
América, Brasil – Ivan Lins

BEST SERTANEJA MUSIC ALBUM
Os Anjos Cantam – Jorge & Mateus
Cabaré – Leonardo & Eduardo Costa
Amizade Sincera II – Renato Teixeira & Sérgio Reis
Bem Sertanejo – Michel Teló
Irmãos – Victor & Leo

BEST BRAZILIAN SONG
Bossa Negra – Hamilton de Holanda, Diogo Nogueira & Marcos Portinari, songwriters (Diogo Nogueira & Hamilton de Holanda)
Diz Pra Mim – Bruno Boncini, songwriter (Malta)
Mais Ninguém – Mallu Magalhães, songwriter (Banda do Mar)
Simples Assim – Dudu Falcão & Lenine, songwriters (Lenine)
Tudo – Adriana Calcanhotto & Bebel Gilberto, songwriters (Bebel Gilberto)

BEST LATIN CHILDREN’S ALBUM
Chino & Nacho For Babies – Chino y Nacho
Adelante – Lucky Díaz And The Family Jam Band
Los Animales – Mister G
De La Cuna A La Jungla – Rockcito
¡Uno, Dos, Tres, Andrés! En Español y En Inglés – 123 Andrés

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM
Alma Brasileira – Débora Halász, Franz Halász & Radamés Gnattali; Marcelo Amaral, Debora Halász & Johannes Müller, producers
Dvorak-Serebrier Legends: Symphony No. 8 – José Serebrier; Chris Hazel, album producer
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 – Montero: Ex Patria, Op. 1 & Improvisations – Gabriela Montero; Jonathan Allen, album producer
Ritual – Fernando Otero; Brian Forbes, Fernando Otero & Ruben Parra, album producers
Ruperto Chapí: String Quartets 1&2 – Cuarteto Latinoamericano; Dan Merceruio, album producer
Works For String Orchestra – Iván Valiente; Yalil Guerra, album producer

BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION
Auschwitz (Nunca Se Olvidarán) – Orlando Jacinto García, composer (José Serebrier Conducting The Málaga Philharmonic & The FIU Concert Choir)
Capriccio – Carlos Franzetti, composer (Allison Brewster Franzetti)
Concierto En Tango Op. 110 For Cello And Orchestra – Miguel del Águila, composer (Joann Falletta Conducting The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)
Conexión – Fernando Otero, composer (Fernando Otero)
El Retrato De La Paloma – Yalil Guerra, composer (Iván Valiente Conducting The Ensamble Solistas De La Habana)
Trio No. 4 “La Noche” – Roberto Sierra, composer (Arcos Trío)

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Blam! Blam! – Julia Rocha, art director (Jonas Sá
Este Instante – Natalia Ayala, Carlos Dussan Gómez & Juliana Jaramillo, art directors (Marta Gómez)
Noel Rosa, Preto E Branco – Anna Amendola, art director (Valéria Lobão)
Tajo Abierto – Pablo González & Francisca Valenzuela, art directors (Francisca Valenzuela)
Veinte Años El Grito Después – Laura Varsky, art director (Catupecu Machu)

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM
Astrid Asher – Salome Limón, engineer; Caco Refojo, mixer; Caco Refojo, mastering engineer (Astrid Asher)
Baile Do Almeidinha – Daniel Musy, engineer; Daniel Musy, mixer; Andre Dias, mastering engineer (Hamilton de Holanda)
Hasta La Raíz – Andrés Borda, Eduardo Del Águila, Demián Nava, Alan Ortiz Grande, Alan Saucedo & Sebastián Schunt, engineers; Eduardo Del Águila & Cesar Sogbe, mixers; José Blanco, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)
Made In Brazil – Jonathan Allen & Rodrigo De Castro Lopes, engineers; Pete Karam, mixer; Paul Blakemore, mastering engineer (Eliane Elias)
Sintético – Otávio Carvalho, engineer; Otávio Carvalho, mixer; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer (Vitrola Sintética)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Mario Adnet, Dori Caymmi
Aníbal Kerpel, Gustavo Santaolalla
Sebastian Krys
George Noriega
Kenny O’brien, Manuel Quijano
Andrés Saavedra

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Te Busqué – Willbert Álvarez
Ojos Color Sol – Calle 13 Featuring Silvio Rodríguez
Así De Grandes Son Las Ideas – Calle 13
No Llora – El Cuarteto De Nos
Huitzil – Porter

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Terral – Pablo Alborán
Loco De Amor “La Historia” – Juanes
MTV Unplugged – Kinky
15 – Ara Malikian
Último Acto – Vicentico

Belén Among This Year’s Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

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It’s a Lifetime honor for Ana Belén…

The Latin Recording Academy will honor a diverse group of Latin music icons, including the 64-year-old Spanish songstress, actress and director with special career honors in a celebration coinciding with the Latin Grammys in November.

Ana Belén

Belén, who has released nearly 40 in her 54 year musical career, received the Fine Arts Golden Medal presented by the Spanish royal family at Toledo Cathedral in 2007. She was nominated for Best Female Soloist for Peces de ciudad at the 2002 Latin Grammy Awards.

In addition to Belén, other artists being recognized this year include Argentine jazz saxophone player Gato Barbieri, Spanish singer  Víctor Manuel, Dominican performer Angela Carrasco, Brazilian pop artist Djavan, Puerto Rican salsa legends El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico, and Cuban singer-songwriter Pablo Milanés will receive the Lifetime Achievement awards. Violinist Federico Britos, producer Humberto Gatica and composer Chelique Sarabia will, respectively, receive the Academy’s Trustees Award.

“It is a great honor to recognize and celebrate such a distinguished and dynamic group of honorees who have been the creators of such timeless art,” said The Latin Recording Academy President/CEO Gabriel Abaroa Jr. said in a statement. “Their outstanding accomplishments and passion for their craft have created a timeless legacy. By honoring them we honor our music. They surely will continue to have an influence in both our culture and the Latin music industry.”

The Latin Academy’s special awards honorees will be celebrated during an invitation-only ceremony to be held on Wednesday, November 18 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, as part of the weeklong 16th Annual Latin Grammy Awards festivities.

Carlos Named the Latin Recording Academy’s 2015 Person of the Year

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Roberto Carlos is a person of major interest this year…

The 74-year-old Brazilian singer and composer will be honored as the 2015 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.

Roberto Carlos

Carlos, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in April and is celebrating five decades of recording in Spanish, is the top-selling Brazilian and Latin American act of all time.

He’ll be honored the eve of the Latin Grammys at a star-studded tribute concert Wednesday, November18, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.

Born in in the Southern municipality of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim to a watchmaker and a seamstress, Carlos began singing and taking music lessons at an early age. At 17, he moved to Rio de Janeiro and began singing nightly in clubs, devoting himself to the rock n’ roll of the day. By the early 1960s, signed to Columbia and aided by the TV show and musical movement Jovem Guarda (Young Guard), Carlos became a teen idol and began writing with his childhood friend and former bandmate Erasmo Carlos, still his main writing partner to this day. Instead of opting for bossa nova, the sophisticated Brazilian export for which his smooth, entreating voice is particularly well-suited for, they went for romantic pop, penning some of the most enduring compositions in the Latin American songbook. Translated to Spanish and married to the subtle beauty of Carlos’ voice, they became anthems for generations of listeners to this day.

Calos recently recorded his latest album — Roberto Carlos – Primera Fila — at London’s Abbey Road Studios. The set will be released later this year.

Previous recipients of the  Recording Academy Person of the Year honor include Miguel Bosé, Plácido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Vicente Fernández, Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Santana, Joan Manuel Serrat, Shakira, Julio Iglesias and Caetano Veloso, among others.

Serrat Celebrated with Special Career-Spanning Exhibition in Barcelona

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Joan Manuel Serrat is the subject of an extra special Spanish-style celebration.

The 71-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter, considered one of the most important figures of modern, popular music in the Spanish and Catalan languages, is being feted in Barcelona through a special project.

Joan Manuel Serrat

Serrat: 50 Years of Songs is the title of an exhibition that documents the life and times of Barcelona’s most famous musical son.

The show is a career-spanning homage to Serrat, the 2014 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, that highlights the singer-songwriter’s ties to Barcelona and Latin America.

The exhibition, at Barcelona’s Arts Santa Monica cultural center until September, includes photos, posters, records, Serrat trading cards and other fan memorabilia, performance videos, and, of course, music.

A parallel program of concert tributes to Serrat by other artists will run through the summer on a stage built into the exhibition, and the public will have a chance to perform their own song favorites during a series of scheduled Serrat karaoke sessions.

The show is set to travel to Montevideo’s Mario Benedetti Foundation later in the year, its first stop on a projected international tour.

“Serrat is more than a musician,” says Jaume Reus i Morro, director of Arts Santa Monica, which is housed in a former monastery. The Serrat exhibition is on display in the building’s vaulted stone chapel. “He’s part of the collective memory of several generations. Serrart has always been tied to the idea of freedom.”

Part of the show focuses on what in 1960s Spain became known as “the Serrat scandal.”  Early in his career, Serrat was selected to represent Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest. After being told he was not allowed to sing in Catalan, his native tongue, he refused to participate at all. The episode established Serrat as a symbol of Catalan pride. His clashes with the Franco regime would continue, and after making remarks critical of the government in 1975, he spent a period in exile in Mexico, beginning his lifelong relationship with Latin America and his outspoken solidarity with repression and social struggles in the region.

The exhibition also reflects the lighter side of Serrat.

“I thought of the money, and the hope of a more satisfying sex life,” an accompanying text quotes the artist as saying, explaining why he wanted to be a musician.

A number of photos capture Serrat the sex symbol, with his chest bared under an open shirt and an inviting gaze. There are movie posters recalling a short-lived film career in titles like My First Love and The Private Teacher.

“I seriously believe that my biggest contribution to cinema’s evolution was to abandon it,” he quips in a text accompanying posters and gossip magazines.

Serrat admitted to being something of a hoarder at a press conference for the exhibition, and most of the objects and ephemera in the extensive display belong to him. They include his first guitar, which his father brought home in a paper bag, so that he would no longer have to practice on a borrowed instrument.

The singer’s roots in the working class Poble Sec neighborhood are captured in vintage photos, which show Serrat accompanying a black-clad elderly widow up the stairs, and a group of young men with red capes practicing their bullfighting moves in the street.

“I don’t know if young people today can relate to him,” he said, admitting that he himself had lost touch with Serrat’s music over the years. “But he is a myth. He’s like our Frank Sinatra.”