Tag Archives: Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana to Receive Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award

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Carlos Santana’s lifetime of achievements is being recognized…

The Recording Academy has announced the recipients of its 2026 Special Merit Awards, with the 78-year-old Mexican guitarist and founding member of the rock band Santana to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Carlos Santana

For nearly six decades, Santana has been a pioneering force in music, fusing Afro-Latin, blues, rock, and jazz into a sound that transcends genre, culture and generation. He and his band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. They made Grammy history in 2000, receiving eight Grammys in a single night, tying Michael Jackson for the single-year Grammy record. Their haul included album of the year for Supernatural and record of the year for “Smooth,” a propulsive smash featuring Rob Thomas.

A 10-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy winner, Santana received Billboard‘s Century Award in 1996 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2013.

His Las Vegas residency at House of Blues is now in its 14th year.

Santana will receive the lifetime achievement award alongside fellow honorees Chaka Khan, Cher, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon and Whitney Houston.

Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording. Trustees Awards are presented to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than performance, to the field of recording. Both are voted on by the academy’s national trustees.

“It’s a true honor to recognize this year’s Special Merit Award recipients — an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres and the very foundation of modern music,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “Each of these honorees has made a profound and lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements.”

The ceremony will be held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday January 31, the afternoon before the 68th annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A.

Bad Bunny Wins Five Latin Grammy Awards, Including Album of the Year

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Bad Bunny is celebrating a special first…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican superstar was the big winner at Thursday night’s Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, taking home five trophies, including album of the year for his acclaimed Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a project which embraced his island’s musical heritage – and paved the way for him to be named the performer for next year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

Bad BunnyIt’s Bad Bunny’s first-ever win in the album of the year category.

Dedicating the award to “all the youth of Latin America” he added: “There are many ways of being patriotic and defending our homelands. We chose music.”

Argentinian duo Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso also claimed five awards; with other winners including Alejandro Sanz, Gloria Estefan and Karol G.

The rapidly growing Latin music sector generated a record $1.4bn (£1.06bn) in 2024, making up 8.1% of total U.S. music revenue, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which said it was shaping culture faster than any other genre.

Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been at the forefront of that movement. For three consecutive years between 2020 and 2022, he was the most-streamed artist in the world.

Debí Tirar Más Fotos is his sixth album, and fuses live instrumentation with the hip-swaying pulse of reggaetón and traditional Puerto Rican styles like plena.

At the Latin Grammys, the title track earned him best urban song and best urban performance. He also picked up best reggaetón performance for “Voy a llevarte pa PR,” and best urban music album for Debí Tirar Más Fotos.

He’s nominated for six awards at the mainstream Grammys, which take place in February, including the three major categories of album, song and record of the year.

Bad Bunny recently wrapped up a barnstorming concert residency in Puerto Rico; and is about to kick off his world tour in the Dominican Republic.

However, he made headlines when he said the tour would not include any dates on the US mainland because he was concerned his fans might be targeted by immigration raids.

His subsequent booking for next year’s Super Bowl rankled some US conservatives.

President Donald Trump called the decision “absolutely ridiculous” and that he had “never heard” of the star – who has 74 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

The Latin Grammy ceremony kicked off with a star-studded tribute to Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana, with Maluma, Edgar Barrera, Grupo Frontera and Christian Nodal playing a medley that began with his hit single “Oye Como Va.”

Karol G and Marco Antonio Solís also took the stage for a sweet duet on “Coleccionando Heridas;” while Gloria Estefan played songs from her latest record Raíces, which went on to win best tropical album.

But Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso were judged to have the stand-out moment of the evening, with a colourful, off-the-wall medley of their hits “El Impostor,” “#Tetas,” “La Que Puede,” “Puede” and “El Día Del Amigo.”

The duo dominated the alternative music categories – winning best alternative album and best alternative song. They also picked up best short-form and best long-form video, and pop song of the year for “El Día Del Amigo.”

Speaking backstage, the childhood friends expressed their gratitude to each other.

“The most important thing here is that we’ve known each other since we were six years old,” said Amoroso.

“All of this wasn’t planned, it just happened. I want to tell Ca7riel that he’s my friend, that I love him.”

Ca7riel then surprised Paco with a long and seemingly passionate kiss.

Elsewhere, Paloma Morphy, a 25-year-old Mexican singer, won best new artist after her debut album, Au, seduced listeners with its catchy melodies and vulnerable stories of heartbreak.

Karol G won song of the year for “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” a lilting love song with a Merengue flavor, from her blockbuster fifth album Tropicoqueta.

And Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz picked up record of the year for his beautiful ballad “Palmeras en el Jardín” – unexpectedly beating Bad Bunny’s smash hit “Baile Inolvidable.”

Here are the winners of the 26th Latin Grammy Awards:

Record Of The Year
Palmeras En El Jardín — Alejandro Sanz

Album Of The Year
Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny

Song Of The Year
‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’
Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G, songwriters (Karol G)

Best New Artist
Paloma Morphy

Best Contemporary Pop Album
¿Y Ahora Qué? — Alejandro Sanz

Best Traditional Pop Album
Bogotá — Andrés Cepeda

Best Pop Song
‘El Día Del Amigo’
Papota — Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Ulises Guerriero,
Amanda Ibanez, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver,
songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)

Best Latin Electronic Music Performance
‘Veneka’
Rawayana Featuring Akapellah

Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance
‘Dtmf’
Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny

Best Reggaeton Performance
‘Voy A Llevarte Pa Pr’
Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny

Best Urban Music Album
Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny

Best Rap/Hip Hop Song
‘Fresh’
Trueno, songwriter (Trueno)

Best Urban Song
‘DtMF’
Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich,
Benjamin Falik, Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, Hugo Rene
Sencion Sanabria & Tyler Spry, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

Best Rock Album
Novela — Fito Paez

Best Rock Song (TIE)
‘La Torre’
R — RENEE, songwriter (RENEE)
&
‘Sale El Sol’
Novela — Fito Paez, songwriter (Fito Paez)

Best Pop/Rock Album
Ya Es Mañana — Morat

Best Pop/Rock Song
‘Desastres Fabulosos’
Conociendo Rusia, Jorge Drexler & Pablo Drexler,
songwriters (Jorge Drexler & Conociendo Rusia)

Best Alternative Music Album
Papota — CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso

Best Alternative Song
‘#Tetas’
Paco Amoroso, Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL,
Gale, Vicente Jiménez ‘Vibarco’ & Federico Vindver,
songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)

Best Salsa Album
Fotografías — Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album
El Último Baile — Silvestre Dangond & Juancho De La Espriella

Best Merengue/Bachata Album
Novato Apostador — Eddy Herrera

Best Traditional Tropical Album
Raíces — Gloria Estefan

Best Contemporary Tropical Album
Puñito De Yocahú — Vicente García

Best Tropical Song
‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’
Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G,
songwriters (Karol G)

Best Singer-Songwriter Album
Cancionera — Natalia Lafourcade

Best Singer-Songwriter Song
‘Cancionera’
Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)

Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album
¿Quién + Como Yo? — Christian Nodal

Best Banda Album
4218 — Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda

Best Tejano Album
Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol.1/En Vivo) — Bobby Pulido

Best Norteño Album
La Lotería — Los Tigres Del Norte

Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album
Palabra De To’s (Seca) — Carín León

Best Regional Song
‘La Lotería’
Luciano Luna, songwriter (Los Tigres Del Norte)

Best Instrumental Album
Y El Canto De Todas — Rafael Serrallet Featuring Lviv Philharmonic
Orchestra

Best Folk Album
Joropango — Kerreke, Daniela Padrón

Best Tango Album
En Vivo 20 Años — Tanghetto

Best Flamenco Album
Flamencas — Las Migas

Best Roots Song
‘Aguacero’
Luis Enrique Mejia, Fernando Osorio & Rodner Padilla,
songwriters (Luis Enrique, C4 Trío)

Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album (TIE)
Hamilton De Holanda Trio – Live In NYC — Hamilton De Holanda
&
Cuba & Beyond — Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet

Best Christian Album (Spanish Language)
Legado — Marcos Witt

Best Portuguese Language Christian Album
Memóri4s (Ao Vivo) — Eli Soares

Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album
Caju — Liniker

Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album
O Mundo Dá Voltas — Baianasystem

Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance
‘Caju’
Caju — Liniker

Best Samba/Pagode Album
Sorriso Eu Gosto No Pagode Vol.3 – Homenagem Ao Fundo De Quintal (Gravado Em Londres) — Sorriso Maroto

Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira)/MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa Brasileira) Album
Um Mar Pra Cada Um — Luedji Luna

Best Sertaneja Music Album
José & Durval — Chitãozinho & Xororó

Best Portuguese Language Roots Album
Dominguinho — João Gomes, Mestrinho e Jota.pê

Best Portuguese Language Song
‘Veludo Marrom’
Caju — Liniker, songwriter (Liniker)

Best Children’s Album
Los Nuevos Canticuentos — Canticuentos, Coro de Ríogrande

Best Classical Album
Kaleidoscope – Contemporary Piano Music By Female Composers From Around The World — Isabel Dobarro; Javier Monteverde, album producer

Best Classical Contemporary Composition
‘Revolución Diamantina – Act I: The Sounds Cats Make,
Act II: We Don’t Love Each Other, Act III: Borders And
Bodies, Act IV: Speaking The Unspeakable’
Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina — Gabriela Ortiz, composer (Gustavo Dudamel, Los
Angeles Philharmonic & Los Angeles Master Chorale)

Best Music For Visual Media
Cien Años De Soledad (Banda Sonora De La Serie De Netflix) — Camilo Sanabria (Camilo Sanabria, artist); Camilo Sanabria, composer

Best Arrangement
‘Camaleón’
Cesar Orozco, arranger (Cesar Orozco & Son Ahead)

Best Recording Package
‘Cuarto Azul’
Christian Molina, art director (Aitana)

Songwriter of the Year
Edgar Barrera
‘Atención’ – Ivan Cornejo
‘Contigo Al Cielo’ – Christian Nodal
‘Ese Vato No Te Queda’ – Carin León Featuring Gabito Ballesteros
‘Hoy No Me Siento Bien’ – Alejandro Sanz & Grupo Frontera
‘Milagros’ – Karol G
‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’ – Karol G
‘Soltera’ – Shakira
‘Tommy & Pamela’ – Peso Pluma, Kenia Os
‘Una Noche Contigo’ – Juanes

Best Engineered Album
Cancionera — Jack Lahana, engineer; Jack Lahana, mixer; Bernie
Grundman, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)

Producer of the Year (TIE)
Rafa Arcaute, Federico Vindver
‘El Día Del Amigo’ – CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
‘Impostor’ – CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
‘La Noche De Tu Amor’ – ATGGT, Victoria May
‘Los Ejes De Mi Carreta’ – ATGGT, Victoria May
‘Re Forro’ – CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
‘#Tetas’ — CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
&
Nico Cotton
‘Agridulce’ – Bhavi, Duki
‘Carne Viva’ – Blair, Dillom
‘Cuarto Azul’ – Aitana
‘Desastres Fabulosos’ – Jorge Drexler, Conociendo Rusia
‘Latinaje’ – Cazzu
‘Museo Del Prado’ – Manuel Carrasco
‘Perfecto Final’ – Conociendo Rusia, Nathy Peluso
‘Una Noche Contigo’ – Juanes
‘Ya Es Mañana’ – Morat

Best Short Form Music Video
‘#Tetas’
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
Martin Piroyansky, video director; Pío Filgueira Risso &
Lula Meliche, video producers

Best Long Form Music Video
Papota (Short Film)
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso
Martin Piroyansky, video director; Federico Ameglio,
Chino Fernández & Lula Meliche, video producers

Cristela Alonzo Among Key Speakers for National Association of Latino Independent Producers’ 2025 Media Summit

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Cristela Alonzo is giving a little (NA)LIP) service…

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers has set its key speakers for the 2025 Media Summit, with the 46-year-old Mexican American comedian making the list.

Cristela AlonzoAlonzo will part part in a candid conversation with NALIP Board Chair Karla Pita Loor entitled “More Than a Message: Balancing Art and Activism in Storytelling.”

Alonzo will share how purpose shapes her work and why staying true to your voice is a powerful act in an industry that often demands compromise.

Other Latino artists scheduled to appear at the Media Summit include John Leguizamo, Eugenio Derbez, Kate del Castillo, Cristo Fernandez, Annie Gonzalez and Carlos Santana.

The event will take place from June 26 to 27 at NeueHouse Hollywood.

Derbez and Del Castillo will reunite with Under the Same Moon director Patricia Riggen and screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos nearly 20 years after the film’s release. Under the Same Moon follows a nine-year-old boy across the border as he seeks to reunite with his mother.

Additionally, the NALIP Accelerator Program, an incubator designed to develop content that connects across borders, has been co-programmed with the Summit. Selected producers will engage in 1:1 pitch meetings and curated networking sessions.

The 2025 Media Summit, using the slogan United We Create: Storytelling as Power, will bring together over 400 filmmakers, producers, executives, and artists from across the U.S. and Latin America to explore industry trends, examine the state of Latinos in Hollywood and beyond, and strategize ways to elevate individual success and collective influence.

“There’s a heightened sense of urgency this year across our group. At a time when our presence in the industry and the broader cultural narrative is being so deeply eroded, it’s more critical than ever to come together as a community and with our allies,” shared NALIP board member and summit subcommittee chair Al Madrigal.

“This Summit is not only about advancing Latino representation in the entertainment industry, but also about aligning our strategies, amplifying our voices, and utilizing our platforms to tell our stories, support our communities, and ensure we are not erased,” he added.

“The NALIP Media Summit is an opportunity to cultivate solidarity and collaboration among our creative community in order to elevate Latino storytellers across entertainment,” Diana Luna, executive director of NALIP, said. “We look forward to coming together to share the tools, knowledge, and networks required to succeed in today’s borderless content economy, as well as build the momentum to create lasting change for Latinos in the US and beyond.”

Program highlights include:

John Leguizamo and director/executive producer Ben De Jesus will host a fireside chat to discuss what it takes to develop and launch original shows like NBC’s Leguizamo Does America in today’s rapidly shifting media environment.

Under the Same Moon Reunion — Director Patricia Riggen, screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos, and stars Kate del Castillo and Eugenio Derbez will reflect on the film’s ongoing impact, shaping narratives around migration, motherhood, and humanity. The film is powerful reminder that stories can open hearts when policies close borders.

More Than a Message: Balancing Art and Activism in Storytelling — Cristela Alonzo sees no divide between art and activism—her storytelling is both. In this candid conversation with Karla Pita Loor (Hyphenate Media Group; NALIP Board Chair), Alonzo shares how purpose shapes her work and why staying true to your voice is a powerful act in an industry that often demands compromise.

Creator Strategy Sessions — “From Platforms to Communities: Building Media Ecosystems in the New Era” to “The Independent Playbook: Producing and Distributing Your Own Film,” these panels will feature frontline journalists, documentarians, producers, and narrative strategists sharing ways to responsibly—and impactfully—inform and engage audiences.

Panels include:

“Global Voices, Local Impact” spotlights actors Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso), Annie Gonzalez (Flamin’ Hot), and Carlos Santos (Primo) as they discuss how they use their platforms to shape narratives, challenge perceptions, and expand global representation.

“Greenlight Ready” features producers Gaz Alazraki (Máquina Vega) and Phillip Braun (Mucho Más Media) offering a hands-on guide to preparing your project for international co-production—from pitching and packaging to aligning with market opportunities.

“Powering Productions: Film Commissions as Strategic Partners in Global Storytelling” spotlights how international film commissions are transforming from permitting agencies into vital creative and financial partners for global productions. Leaders from key commissions will discuss how incentive programs, infrastructure investment, and strategic alignment can open doors for filmmakers working across borders. Panelists include Colleen Bell (Deputy Director, California Film Commission), Rachel Kephart (Director, Kansas City Film Office), and Kim Spurgeon (Director, Nevada Film Office), moderated by Julie Ann Crommett (CEO, Collective Moxie).

“Global Gateways” brings together top international film commissions—including those from California, Kansas City, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil—to explore how strategic incentives, infrastructure investment, and cross-border collaboration are transforming their regions into production hubs. Featured speakers include Efraín Casillas (Puerto Rico, CEO/Executive Director, Grand Tales Entertainment), Karla Valderrama (Colombia, Medellín Film Commissioner), Leonardo Edde (Brazil, President, RioFilme), and Marianna Vargas (Dominican Republic, DGCINE Film Commissioner).

Carlos Vives Named Latin Recording Academy’s 2024 Person of the Year

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Carlos Vives is set to receive the highest honor from the Latin Recording Academy.

Twenty-five years after leading the list of nominees for the first edition of the Latin Grammys, the 62-year-old Colombian singer, songwriter and actor has been named the 2024 Person of the Year.

Carlos VivesVives — winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee — “will be honored for his more than three-decade career as a multifaceted singer and composer, as well as for his continued commitment to environmental and social initiatives,” per the Latin Recording Academy.

“Carlos Vives is one of the most prolific and beloved artists of our time, whose commitment to Latin music and support for the new generations truly personifies the values of our Academy,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We honor him as our Person of the Year for his vast contributions to our musical heritage and for his many philanthropic initiatives.”

“It’s still surprising to me,” Vives told Billboard Español this week in an exclusive interview. “It’s like a message that the Academy gives at the end, because 32 years ago I chose a path [that was unconventional]. To be successful, to be commercial, there was one way. This other path that’s cultural or has to do with your identity, that doesn’t work, [they would say].”

In Wednesday’s press release, he added: “I am honored and moved to have been chosen as the 2024 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. It is the reward for an authentic journey, for a wonderful team and, above all, it is the recognition of the musical spirits of our Latin American diversity. These spirits taught us to love and enrich our language, to take care of it and to respect it in order to exalt humanity with it.”

Born in Santa Marta, Colombia, Vives is one of the most respected artists in Spanish-language music and a pioneer of a new Latin American sound, redefining traditional Colombian vallenato by incorporating to it pop and rock sounds. With No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts such as “Volví a Nacer,” “Fruta Fresca” and “La Bicicleta” with Shakira, among others, has become an ambassador of Colombian and Latin American culture around the world.

His commitment to good causes transcends the musical realm. In 2015, he created the Tras La Perla initiative to promote the sustainable development of Santa Marta and its ecosystem. In addition, he created the Escuela de Música Río Grande to offer artistic experiences to children and young people, and founded the record label Gaira Música Local to promote new Colombian talent. He’s also been a strong advocate and generous supporter of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation since its inception, the Latin Recording Academy highlights, and sponsored its annual Prodigy Scholarship in 2018.

His latest album, Escalona: Nunca Se Había Grabado Así, earned him his 18th Latin Grammy when it was crowned best cumbia/vallenato album in 2023. This year he was also recognized with the ASCAP Founders Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Vives will be feted as Person of the Year at a special star-studded gala and tribute concert where an array of artist and friends will perform renditions of his renowned repertoire. Details of the event, to be presented in November during the 2024 Latin Grammy week in Miami, will be announced at a later date.

The Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honors musicians and their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts.

Past honorees are Laura Pausini (2023), Marco Antonio Solís (2022), Rubén Blades (2021), Juanes (2019), Maná (2018), Alejandro Sanz (2017), Marc Anthony (2016), Roberto Carlos (2015), Joan Manuel Serrat (2014), Miguel Bosé (2013), Caetano Veloso (2012), Shakira (2011), Plácido Domingo (2010), Juan Gabriel (2009), Gloria Estefan (2008), Juan Luis Guerra (2007), Ricky Martin (2006), José José (2005), Carlos Santana (2004), Gilberto Gil (2003), Vicente Fernández (2002), Julio Iglesias (2001) and Emilio Estefan (2000).

Rudy Valdez Signs with Inspire Entertainment

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Rudy Valdez is under new management…

The Latino Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker  has signed with Inspire Entertainment for management.

Rudy ValdezMost recently, Valdez served as director, executive producer and cinematographer of the six-part docuseries Choir for Disney+, as well as Carlos, the Carlos Santana doc from Sony Pictures Classics and Imagine Documentaries.

Both films were official selections of the 2023 Tribeca Festival, with Carlos earning a 2023 Critics’ Choice Documentary Award nomination for Best Music Documentary.

Valdez’s documentary short Translators, produced in partnership with U.S. Bank, also recently debuted as an official selection of LALIFF and the Tribeca Festival, winning the Tribeca X Award for Best Short Documentary.

The filmmaker’s breakthrough project was The Sentence, the HBO doc marking his directorial debut. Shot over the course of a decade, the film watches as Valdez unpacks the aftermath of his sister Cindy’s 15-year sentence for conspiracy charges related to crimes committed by her deceased ex-boyfriend. Following its world premiere at Sundance 2018, where it won the U.S. Documentary Audience Award, the doc went on to win an Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking, also securing Valdez a nomination for Best New Director at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards.

Valdez is at the helm of Bluff Road Films, an independent production company focused on creating meaningful social, cultural, and political stories while championing equity both on screen and behind the camera.

Currently, the company is teaming with Inspire to produce the feature doc Places, centered on Pacific Northwest artist Ben Joyce and his personal journey to expand his horizons of art, people, and family. In addition to directing, Valdez is producing the pic alongside Jason Spire and Meghan Schale.

Founded in 2002, Inspire Entertainment is also known for its work on the hit Netflix pic Outside the Wire and Peacock/Sony’s video game adaptation Twisted Metal, which is currently prepping to shoot its second season, among other projects.

Sony Picture Classics & Trafalgar Firm Up Worldwide Release Plans for Carlos Santana Doc “Carlos”

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Carlos Santana’s life story is going global…

Sony Picture Classics and Trafalgar Releasing have firmed up worldwide release plans for Carlos, their feature documentary on the 76-year-old 10-time Grammy-winning guitarist and musical icon.

Carlos SantanaThe film on the father of Latin American jazz fusion will launch in theaters in September with the three-day premiere event, Carlos: The Santana Journey Global Premiere.

In addition to the doc itself, the event taking place on September 23rd, 24th and 27th will spotlight exclusive introductory content featuring Santana and the film’s director, two-time Emmy winner Rudy Valdez.

The film will then launch into its general theatrical release on September 29th.

A guitarist who has cemented his status as a legend over the last 50 years, Santana continues to be one of the music world’s premiere artists, blending jazz, blues, and the Mariachi sound with a rock n’ roll spirituality and a sense of music’s primal connection to our deepest emotions. SPC’s doc will shed new light on his life and career by offering access to new interviews with Santana and family, as well as never-before-seen archival footage, including home videos recorded by Santana himself; concert footage; behind-the-scenes moments; interviews with such collaborators as Clive Davis and Rob Thomas; and more.

“Carlos Santana is among the elite musicians who has transcended decades and generations. From his performance at Woodstock to his 90’s epic album Supernatural —this documentary delves into his journey of becoming one of our greatest guitar legends. We are thrilled to be a part of this global moment in cinemas where fans can experience his life story and music together,” said Trafalgar’s SVP of Programming and Content Acquisitions Kymberli Frueh.

Milwaukee Brewers Acquire Carlos Santana from Pittsburgh Pirates

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Things are brewing for Carlos Santana.

The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired the 37-year-old Dominican-American professional baseball player and first baseman from the Pittsburgh Pirates, attempting to shore up a tepid offense as they try to hold onto first place in the National League Central.

Carlos SantanaSantana was dealt to a contender for the second consecutive season after going from Kansas City to Seattle last year. Long considered a clubhouse leader, Santana will fill in at first base for Rowdy Tellez, who, while recovering from a forearm injury, tore a fingernail on a chain-link fence while shagging batting practice. 

In exchange for Santana, who is hitting .235/.321/.412 with elite defense at first base, the Pirates will receive 18-year-old shortstop Jhonny Severino, who signed with Milwaukee for $1.23 million last year and is currently playing in the Arizona Complex League.

At 57-46, the Brewers have clawed back into the NL Central pole position despite scoring just 423 runs — three fewer than their top-notch pitching staff has allowed.

While a resurgent Christian Yelich has paced the offense, only one other season-long regular, catcher William Contreras, has an OPS above .700.

Milwaukee, which shipped closer Josh Hader to San Diego at the trade deadline last season and blew a three-game division lead, was expected to add players on the margins rather than go after bigger-name players.

Santana is owed around $2.5 million for the remainder of the season.

Severino hit .268 with a team-leading 25 RBIs in 48 games while playing in the Dominican Summer League in 2022.

Rudy Valdez Agrees to Overall Unscripted Deal with Imagine Documentaries

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Rudy Valdez has a new unscripted partner…

The Latino documentary filmmaker has agreed to an overall unscripted deal with Imagine Documentaries.

Rudy ValdezAs part of the agreement, Valdez will develop, direct and executive produce new nonfiction projects for the studio through his Bluff Road Films banner.

The two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker started his career as a camera operator on the Peabody Award-winning, Sundance series Brick City and went on to direct his passion project on HBO’s The Sentence.

Shot and directed by Valdez over the course of a decade, this feature documentary tells the very personal story of his sister’s plight in the criminal justice system, while tackling subjects like mandatory minimums and sentencing reform.

“It has been wonderful to work with Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, and the entire Imagine Documentaries team through the years,” said Valdez. “They have entrusted me with telling a variety of stories and have always supported my vision and approach. This new partnership will allow us to continue to create inspiring projects together and for me to expand, not only in the stories that I am able to tell, but also in my efforts to create a platform that fosters new voices. Along with this new deal, I’m excited to announce the launch of my production company, Bluff Road Films. Steered by an intimate storytelling approach, my team and I will aim to amplify unheard voices. Having the support of Imagine as we ramp up our efforts and take on new projects is invaluable.”

His most recent projects include Sony Pictures Classic’s Carlos and Choir on Disney+.

Both projects are produced by Imagine Entertainment and will premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival.

Carlos, the definitive feature documentary of Carlos Santana, follows the artist’s lifelong journey from 14-year-old street musician to 10-time Grammy winning global sensation.

Choir is a six-part docuseries, following the Detroit Youth Choir after their star turn on America’s Got Talent.

“As longtime collaborators of the extraordinary Rudy Valdez, Imagine is thrilled to formalize our unique creative partnership with Rudy and further bolster his prolific documentary impact,” said Bernstein, president of Imagine Documentaries.

Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Worldwide Rights to Carlos Santana Documentary “Carlos”

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Carlos Santana’s life story will be heading to a theater near you…

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the worldwide rights to Carlos, a new documentary about the 75-year-old Mexican guitarist, considered the father of Latin American jazz fusion.

Carlos SantanaA release date for the film directed by Emmy winner Rudy Valdez has not been disclosed.

Featuring never-before-seen or heard archival footage and music, Carlos offers an intimate and exhilarating look inside the mind of an elemental force of contemporary music and tells the story of Santana’s life – from a 14-year-old street musician to a 10-time Grammy-winning and three-time Latin Grammy-winning global sensation.

Imagine Documentaries and Sony Music Entertainment jointly financed the film, with Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes producing along with Lizz Morhaim, Leopoldo Gout, Ashley Kahn and Sam Pollard.

Brian Grazer and Ron Howard executive produced for Imagine Documentaries alongside Michael Vrionis and Tom Mackay & Richard Story for Sony Music Entertainment, with Meredith Kaulfers co-exec producing for Imagine Documentaries.

“Imagine is thrilled to bring the band back together and reunite with our partners at SPC on this magical journey with the legendary Carlos Santana and our director Rudy Valdez,” said Imagine Documentaries president Bernstein. “There isn’t a better team to inspire the world with Carlos’ extraordinary life.”

Commented Sony Music Entertainment’s EVP Premium Content Development, Sales, Krista Wegener: “We are beyond excited to be joining forces with Sony Pictures Classics to bring Carlos to the big screen. Our incredible partners, Rudy Valdez and Imagine, have created a stunningly beautiful portrait of Carlos Santana that captures his singular artistry and spirit. We can’t wait to share his story with audiences around the world.”

“I am honored and humbled to tell Carlos Santana’s story as a director. Carlos is a true trailblazer who has meant so much to so many people. My hope is that this film is a celebration of a life defined by humanity,” shared Valdez. “It was incredibly impactful to see someone who looks like me blow up the boundaries and expectations the world had placed on him as a Mexican immigrant and person of color, and I’m thrilled to be putting this story out into the world. I am also immensely grateful for the amazing team at Imagine Documentaries and Sony, who surrounded me through the entire process and helped me see this vision through.”

He continued: “The film could not have found a better distribution partner than Sony Pictures Classics. In their hands the film will have the opportunity to reach the masses and ensure as many people as possible get a chance to experience Carlos’ magic.”

Added Universal Tone Management’s President, Vrionis: “It is an honor to share the story of one of the world’s most iconic cusicians, Carlos Santana. His triumphant journey is the must-see event of the year. Partnering with Imagine Documentaries, Sony Music and Sony Pictures Classics was the perfect fit to tell this unbelievable story of victory and high consciousness.”

Carlos Santana to Perform at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival

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Carlos Santana has reached a crossroads…

The 75-year-old Mexican legendary guitarist and his band, Santana, will perform at Eric Clapton’s 2023 Crossroads Guitar festival.

Carlos SantanaThis year’s event will take place over two nights (September 23-24) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where Clapton will again gather some of the best guitar players in the world for headlining sets and impromptu collabs.

Though not everyone on the roster will repeat over the weekend, Clapton will perform both nights, joined by Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Santana, Jakob Dylan, Albert Lee, Los Lobos, Stephen Stills, Taj Mahal, ZZ Top, the John Mayer Trio, Robert Randolph, H.E.R., Marcus King and many more.

Tickets for the festival will go on sale on Friday, April 21, at 10:00 am

local time via Ticketmaster; there are no two-day passes, only single-day tickets.

Also slated to perform at the event are: Joe Bonamassa, Doyal Bramhall II, James Bullard, Jerry Douglas, Andy Fairweather Low, Samantha Fish, Sonny Landreth, Pedro Martins, John McLaughlin, Del McCoury Band, Roger McGuinn, Keb’ Mo’, Ariel Posen, Eric Gales, Vince Gill, Buddy Guy, Ben Haggard, Sierra Hull, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, The Bros. Landreth, Robbie Robertson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gustavo Santaolalla, Daniel Santiago, Molly Tuttle, Jimmie Vaughan, Breadley Walker and The War on Drugs.

Longtime co-sponsor Guitar Center will again host the Guitar Center Festival Village at the adjacent Xbox Plaza and Chick Hearn Court at L.A. Live, where some of the world’s best guitar and gear manufacturers will host interactive exhibits where fans can try out new products and instruments.

In addition to some multi-million-dollar historical guitars on display at the Legends Collection area, there will also be an unveiling of the 25th anniversary Crossroads Guitar Collection, a rare series of limited-edition guitars based on some of Clapton’s vintage gear; a significant portion of profits from the sale of the guitars will go to aid Clapton’s Crossroads Centre at Antigua treatment and education facility.