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Juanes, Luis Fonsi and Luis Miguel among Latin mega stars vying for Grammys in 2009
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Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Luis Fonsi.
Dozens of Latin music stars earned 2009 Grammy nods last night during the televised nominations concert aired on CBS, marking the first time in its 51 years history that the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences holds such an event to announce the nominees.
Not surprisingly, many of them were recently honored less than a month ago at the Latin Grammys in Houston, including Colombian rocker Juanes, who swept the event winning five awards, and the Puerto Ricans José Feliciano and Wisin y Yandel.
Other big-name nominees include Luis Miguel, Luis Fonsi, Jaguares, Rkm & Ken-Y and Jorge Drexler. Among the night’s surprises were the nominations of Locos Por Juana, newcomer Ximena Sariñana and the New York-based urban group DLG, which made a comeback with "Renacer."
Though a noted and successful Miami band with a significant following, Locos Por Juana is not in the same league as Café Tacuba, Circo or even Belanova. Granted - “La verdad” is an upbeat, sonically bold release, a hodgepodge of eclectic rhythms that talks directly to the masses. But it still needs the tightness, consistency and mastery found on a Grammy-winning album.
Meanwhile, Mexican artist Sariñana is without a doubt a multi-talented performer and songwriter. Still, the category of Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album is too big for her. If she were competing as a Best New Artist, like in the Latin Grammys where she lost the award to Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kany García, it would be another thing. But this category is simply out of her league.
Another big surprise was not choosing David Sánchez’s “Cultural Survival” as a contender in the Best Latin Jazz album category. This is an exceptional work that should at least have won a Latin Grammy in November. Tough luck for Sánchez.
I was happy to learn, though, that Puerto Rican Latin jazz flutist Néstor Torres - who hails from the island's coastal town of Mayaguez - was nominated for "Nouveau Latino." For years, Torres - along with Johnny Pacheco and David Valentín - have been the preeminent flautists in Latin Jazz. So I imagine that he must be thrilled about this nomination. Good for him.
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, composer and producer Tommy Torres also received a nod for "Tarde o Temprano," a pretty amazing feat. The only problem here is that he's competing against the almighty Juanes. Good luck on that one!
Some seasoned tropical music artists who have won in the past were also left out of the 2009 competition – Olga Tañón, Marc Anthony, Víctor Manuelle and Gilberto Santa Rosa.
Best Latin Jazz Album
• "Afro Bop Alliance," Caribbean Jazz Project • "The Latin Side Of Wayne Shorter," Conrad Herwig & The Latin Side Band • Song For Chico, Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra • "Nouveau Latino," Néstor Torres • "The Mighty Pirates," Papo Vázquez.
Best Latin Pop Album
• "Cara B", Jorge Drexler • "Palabras Del Silencio," Luis Fonsi • "La Vida...Es Un Ratico," Juanes • "Cómplices," Luis Miguel • "Tarde O Temprano," Tommy Torres
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
• "Sonidos Gold," Grupo Fantasma • "45", Jaguares • "La Verdad," Locos Por Juana • "Tijuana Sound Machine," Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fussible • "Mediocre," Ximena Sariñana
Best Latin Urban Album
• "La Novela," Akwid • "La Sinfonia," La Sinfonia • "The Royalty: La Realeza," Rkm & Ken-y • "En Lo Claro," Voltio • "Los Extraterrestres," Wisin y Yandel
Best Tropical Latin Album
"Cuba: Un Viaje Musical—A Musical Journey," Albita, Rey Ruíz & Donato Poveda • "Renacer," DLG • "Señor Bachata," José Feliciano • "Frutero Moderno," Gonzalo Grau y La Clave Secreta • "Back On The Streets... Taste Of Spanish Harlem Vol. 2," New Swing Sextet
U.S. hip hop artist Lil Wayne leads the list of nominees with eight nominations, followed by the British band Coldplay, which won seven. The gala concert was hosted by rapper LL Cool and Taylor Swift and it featured performances by Swift as well as Grammy-winning artists Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Foo Fighters, B.B. King and John Mayer.
Only albums released between Oct. 1, 2007 and Sep. 30 of 2008 can qualify for the competition. The Grammys will be held Feb. 9, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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