Juan Gabriel es Nombrado Persona del Año 2009 por La Academia Latina de la Grabación

El cantante mexicano Juan Gabriel ha sido elegido por la Academia Latina de la Grabación como la Persona del Año del 2009.

El también compositor será reconocido por su destacada carrera profesional y labor filantrópica. Juan Gabriel recibirá el reconocimiento durante una ceremonia a realizarse el miércoles 4 de noviembre en el Mandalay Bay de Las Vegas, en la víspera del Grammy Latino.

“Al mismo tiempo que celebramos una década memorable en la vida del Latin Grammy, la Academia Latina de la Grabación y su Consejo Directivo se enorgullecen de sumarse al reconocimiento de un artista extraordinario, de gran impacto mundial, que nunca ha olvidado sus raíces”, expresó Gabriel Abaroa, presidente de la Academia.

“Juan Gabriel tiene y ha tenido una enorme influencia en la música y cultura de nuestro tiempo, y queremos aprovechar esta oportunidad para reconocer a la voz que resuena con fuerza en nuestra comunidad”, añadió en un comunicado.

A lo largo de tres décadas Juan Gabriel ha vendido millones de discos y producido para más de 50 artistas que incluyen a Paul Anka, Lola Beltrán, Rocío Durcal y Lucha Villa. Además, ha escrito más de 1.500 canciones interpretadas por artistas como Marc Anthony, Raul Di Blasio, Ana Gabriel, Angélica María, Lucía Méndez, Estela Núñez y Son Del Son.

De su larga lista de éxitos destacan temas como “No tengo dinero”, “Hasta que te conocí”, “Siempre en mi mente”, “Querida”, “Inocente pobre amigo”, “Amor eterno” e “Insensible”.

Asimismo, se ha destacado como filántropo, donando las ganancias de unas 10 presentaciones anuales a hogares infantiles en México. En 1987 fundó Semjase, un orfanato para 120 pequeños que además es escuela de música y cuenta con salones de actividades recreativas y video juegos. Hasta la fecha financia personalmente la escuela que fundó hace poco más de 22 años.

El año pasado la Persona del Año fue la cubano-estadounidense Gloria Estefan. Otros receptores del reconocimiento incluyen a Juan Luis Guerra, Julio Iglesias, Ricky Martin, José José y Carlos Santana..

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Ricky Martin Honored As 2006 Latin Recording Academy Person Of The Year

LOS ANGELES (Latin Recording Academy) - GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-winning international superstar Ricky Martin will be honored as the 2006 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, it was announced by The Latin Recording Academy. Martin, chosen for his accomplishments as a world renowned entertainer, consummate performer and passionate humanitarian, will receive the honor at a special star-studded tribute dinner and concert held Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006, at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in New York. A portion of the proceeds from the evening's tribute dinner will benefit Ricky Martin's charitable efforts.
"The Latin Recording Academy and its Board of Trustees are extremely proud and excited to honor an amazing human being who embodies the positive spirit that comes from true commitment, full dedication and perseverance," said Latin Recording Academy President Gabriel Abaroa. "His musical accomplishments are matched by his endeavors as an advocate for the welfare of children around the world. It is a great pleasure to honor this man of limitless talent, passion and sense of caring."

Singer/songwriter Ricky Martin began his musical career more than 20 years ago and has sold more than 60 million copies of his sound recordings and videos/DVDs worldwide. His self-titled English-language debut album sold 7 million copies according to the Recording Industry Association of America and his Sound Loaded album has been certified gold and/or platinum in 26 countries and is certified double-platinum by the RIAA in the United States. But above any other successes, Martin is recognized as the artist who reached a new dimension for Latin performers worldwide and as a great peer among peers.

In addition, Martin's sense of responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity and equality for all and his desire to evolve as a better individual led him to establish the Ricky Martin Foundation, which he started in Puerto Rico at the turn of the century. Martin and his foundation, now a global organization, have taken a leadership role to advocate for children rights. They tirelessly work to influence government policy, political authorities and the world at large by conveying messages that trigger behavior change and raise social consciousness. Additionally, the foundation provides disadvantaged children education, social service benefits and activities to improve their quality of life, and collaborates with various organizations that aid young survivors and their families who have been affected by natural disasters.

In 2004, the foundation launched People for Children, a global initiative to educate and support the international agenda for the elimination of human trafficking, especially trafficking of children. He has also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and, in addition to the numerous awards received throughout his musical career, Martin has also been honored with many accolades for his humanitarian efforts including: the Hispanic Heritage Award, Leadership In The Arts Award, Billboard's Spirit of Hope Award, the Alma Award, Vanguard Award, and the International Humanitarian Award by the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Ricky Martin is the seventh Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honoree, joining a prestigious list of previous honorees: Jose Jose, Carlos Santana, Gilberto Gil, Vicente Fernandez, Julio Iglesias, and Emilio Estefan. 
For information e-mail to latingrammy@afmla.com

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José José Named 2005 LARAS "Person of the Year"

Gala Tribute on Nov. 1 Benefits The Latin Recording Academy's Outreach Programs
Miami, FL -- "El Principe de la Canción" (the Prince of Song) José José will be honored as the 2005 Latin Recording Academy® Person of the Year, it was announced today. José José, chosen for his humanitarian contributions as well as his professional and cultural accomplishments will receive the honor at a special star-studded tribute dinner and concert on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005. The 2005 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year tribute dinner is one of the most prestigious events during Latin GRAMMY® Week and will precede the 6th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, which will be held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 3, and will be broadcast live on the Univision Network at 8 p.m./7C.
"Every year, the Board of Trustees of The Latin Recording Academy conducts an elaborate process to choose a person who meets the high standards of accomplishment set forth by our Person of the Year selection process, and this year it has been a true joy," said Latin Recording Academy President Gabriel Abaroa. "José José, known around the world as the Prince of Song, personifies integrity, tradition and graciousness. His career is admired by fans and, perhaps more so, by peers such as Frank Sinatra. He's delighted fans around the world for more than 40 years and he still works and performs as if it were the first day of his career."
Born José Romulo Sosa Ortíz, José José teamed up with Paco Ortíz and Alfredo Benítez and began singing in festivals and contests and serenading around Mexico City at a young age. "Nave Del Olvido" became his first hit in 1969, and three months later, with a song called "El Triste," he participated in the OTI festival (Festival de la Organización de la Televisión Iberoamericana), which became his second international hit. In the early '80s he released Secretos, which sold more than 4 million copies and reached gold or platinum status in various counties. With the release of 40 y 20, José José performed to a sold-out audience in New York at Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden, Las Vegas, and Chicago's Pavilion as well as international venues in Japan, Israel, and Central and South America.

Throughout his musical career, José José has had countless albums including Reflexiones, Promesas, Soy Asi, Grandeza Mexican, and Mujeriego — to name a few — reach gold or platinum status throughout the world and putting him at the top of the Latin charts for years. He has sold more than 40 million albums and has been nominated for six GRAMMY Awards. In 2004 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Latin Recording Academy as well as a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He's won multiple Billboard awards and Mexico's Herald has acknowledged him as Revelation of the Year, and on repeated occasions has named him Male Singer of the Year. In addition to his success as a recording artist, José José, is also a renowned actor, having held the leading role in six films in Mexico as well as appearing in two Hollywood films.
Over the years, José José has made significant humanitarian contributions to Latin America and the United States. He recorded the Spanish version of "We Are The World" ("Hermanos Del Tercer Mundo") with proceeds benefiting the African community; he participated in Navidad En El Barrio (Christmas on the Town) a fundraiser in L.A.; and he joined numerous benefit concerts for Liga contra el Cancer, Jerry Lewis's Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, the Magic Johnson Foundation, and for a rehabilitation center in Mexico City for patients dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction.
José José is the sixth Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honoree. Previous honorees are Carlos Santana, Gilberto Gil, Vicente Fernández, Julio Iglesias, and Emilio Estefan.

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Santana Honored By Latin Recording Academy as 2004 “Person of the Year”

Publication: Billboard
Date: Tuesday, May 25 2004
Carlos Santana has been named the Latin Recording Academy's 2004 Person of the year. The organization will bestow the accolade on the veteran rock guitarist during an Aug. 30 tribute dinner and concert in Los Angeles, two days before the Latin Grammy Awards. Santana has been honoured for his social, professional and cultural achievements, including his work with Aids schemes.

In 1998, Santana and his wife Deborah also founded the Milagro Foundation, which supports young people involved in the arts, health and education.
Santana will be honoured at a dinner and concert in Los Angeles in August. Some of the proceeds from the evening at the Century Plaza Hotel, in Century City, will benefit the MusiCares Foundation, a charity for musicians in need.

Last year, Santana donated the proceeds from the US leg of his tour to Artists for a New South Africa which distributes money for Aids sufferers and research.
The fifth annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held on 1 September at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Santana, as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has sold more than 80 million records.

"His exceptional talent, expansive body of music, social activism, honesty and wisdom are the qualities that make Santana the epitome and embodiment of [this honor]," Latin Recording Academy president Gabriel Abaroa says. "By recognizing Santana, the Latin Grammy community honors a man who has shown the rare ability to wear his remarkable talent with humility."

Santana will be the fifth Latin Recording Academy person of the year honoree, following Gilberto Gil, Vicente Fernandez, Julio Iglesias and Emilio Estefan. The tribute will take place Los Angeles' Century Plaza Hotel and will benefit the Recording Academy's MusiCares Foundation.

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Gilberto Gil Named LARAS Person Of The Year 2003

Gilberto Gil was born in 1942 in Salvador, Brazil (Bahia). Looking at the dread-locked picture of Gilberto Gil, it's surprising to realize that this is the visage of Brazil's Minister of Culture. But Gilberto Gil has made a habit of demolishing preconceived ideas, from his early days as co-founder of the 'tropicalia' musical movement (with Caetano Veloso) to political activism as an ardent supporter of Brazil's 'Green Party'. And always he focused on the music, releasing 40+ albums in his 4 decade long career.

Gilberto Gil Moreira was fascinated by music at an early age. By the time he was 7 he had taught himself to play the trumpet and spent hours listening to street singers at the local marketplace. Gil then switched to accordion; by the time he was a teenager, he was performing with his first musical group, Os Desfinados. But even the accordion was dropped after hearing Joao Gilberto play the guitar to the smooth rhythms of a new type of music that was starting to gain in popularity - a musical style called bossa nova that was nudging more traditional samba out of first-place on the nation's airwaves.

Gil picked-up the guitar and immersed himself in bossa nova. He continued on to the University of Bahia, where he persued a business degree. While there, he met fellow musicians Caetano Veloso and Veloso's sister, Maria Bethania. Gil and Veloso quickly teamed-up. Having finished his degree and decided business was not for him, Gil delved more deeply into music.
"Domingo no Parque" (Sunday in the Park) was Gil's initial entry into tropicalia. It stirred up controversy with its politically charged lyrics. Gil had also written a hit song for future icon, Elis Regina. "Louvacao" did so well that Gil decided to record the song and subsequent album himself. Louvacao was his debut album, released in 1967.

In the last decade, Gilberto Gil has been reaping the rewards of his 4 musical decades. Among other honors, Gil's Quanta Live album won him a Grammy award for 'Best World Music Album' in 1998; he took home another Grammy in 2005 for Electracustico. He also is this year (2003) the Latin Recording Academy's 'Person of the Year' in 2003, a real big Honor.
From the beginning's of his career, Gilberto Gil has been concerned with Brazil's political climate. Associated with the 'Green Party' (Partido Verde), Gil won a seat on Salvador's city council in 1988.

In 2003, Brazilian president Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva named Gil his Minister of Culture. In an interview with Newsweek, Gil said that "Brazil's image abroad is associated with popular culture: samba, the way we play football. But what we need to do is break the prejudice that popular culture is a lesser product."

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Vicente Fernández To Be Honored as LARAS Person of the Year 2002

La Prensa de San Antonio
06-26-2002

International recording legend Vicente Fernández will be honored as the 2002 Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (LARAS) Person Of The Year, it was announced by the Latin Recording Academy. The honor recognizes Fernndez's professional and philanthropic accomplishments. A portion of the proceeds from the LARAS Person Of The Year tribute dinner will benefit the Latin Recording Academy's outreach and education programs.

"As a true Latin American organization, the Latin Recording Academy looks to Mexico's traditional and ongoing role as an epicenter of music and culture," said Enrique Fernandez, Senior Vice President/Executive Director of the Latin Recording Academy.

Vicente Fernández has been named person of the year by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. He will be presented with the award at a dinner and concert Sept. 17 in L.A., the day before the third annual Latin Grammys.

The Mexican star, known as "the King of Ranchera music," has recorded more than 55 albums for Sony Discos; his hits include "Volver Volver." At the Billboard Latin Music Awards in May, Fernández was named top Latin albums artist of the year and won Latin greatest hits album of the year for "Historia de un Ídolo--Volume 1." In addition to his professional accomplishments, Fernández is being honored for his philanthropic pursuits, which include contributions to the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

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Julio Iglesias Named LARAS Person Of The Year 2001

International recording legend Julio Iglesias will be honored as the 2001 Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Science Person of the Year. The honor recognizer Iglesias´ professional and philanthropic accomplishments. A portion of the proceeds from the LARAS Person of the Year tribute dinner will benefit the Latin Academy´s outreach and education programs.

"Julio Iglesias is the pre-eminent ambassador for Latin Music and Culture throughout the world," said Michael Greene, president/CEO of the Recording Academy and Latin Recording Academy. It is so very rare that a man of such talent, passion and commitment to his fans and culture comes along, and it is the Latin Academy´s great pleasure to honor this international treasure."

Iglesias will receive the honor at a star-studded tribute dinner and concert on September 11,2001, in Miami. The Latin Academy Person of the Year tribute dinner is one of the most prestigious events of Latin Grammy Week and will precede the Second Annual Latin Grammy Awards, which will be held at American Airlines Arena on September 11. The Latin Grammys will air on the CBS Television Network and on radio via the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation worldwide.

Since signing his first recording contract in 1968, Iglesias has toured the globe tirelessly, visiting cities in Europe, North and Latin Americas, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. Today, Iglesias has over 2,500 Platinum and Gold records internationally, and his most recent release, Noche De Cuatro Lunas, has already achieved multi-Platinum success.

Iglesias is the second Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honoree, following the celebration of Emilio Estefan´s achievements in conjunction with the first Latin Grammy Awards.

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