Spain's Alejandro Sanz won
the best male pop vocal album Grammy for "Paraiso Express," and
another early trophy was claimed by Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter Alex Cuba
for best new artist. Cuba, whose music reflects a mixture of Latin, African,
jazz and pop influences, is also known for a 2009 duet with pop star and fellow
Canadian Nelly Furtado called "Mi Plan."
Cuba co-wrote half the songs
on Furtado's Spanish-language album of the same name. Venezuelan reggaeton duo
Chino y Nacho won best urban music album for "Mi Nina Bonita." From
Mexican ranchera music to Brazilian samba, the Latin Grammys recognize music
from all over the world so long as it is recorded in Spanish or Portuguese. The
awards are presented during a live broadcast on Spanish-language television
network Univision.
The show, hosted by Mexican actors Eugenio Derbez and
Lucero, featured performances early in the evening by Dominican meringue star
Juan Luis Guerra and pop singers Enrique Iglesias and Marc Anthony, among
others. Pop sensation Ricky Martin presented the Latin Recording Academy's
Person of the Year award to Spanish opera star Placido Domingo, who was
recognized for both his philanthropic and professional accomplishments.
Domingo
is the sole performer left of the famed Three Tenors after Luciano Pavarotti
died in 2007 and Jose Carreras retired last year. Earlier in the day, 34 Latin
Grammys were awarded during a one-hour ceremony streamed live on the Web.
Argentina's Gustavo Cerati was the big winner at that event, picking up early
awards for best rock album and song.
