Santana Wins 3 Latin Grammys

LOS   ANGELES, Sept. 13, 2000 -- Not content with his record eight Grammys inFebruary, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana won three trophiestoday in the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards, including the topprize — record of the year.

The veteran rocker’s duet with Mexican rockers Mana, CorazonEspinado, won record of the year seven months after anotherSantana song, Smooth, won the same honor at the other GrammyAwards. He also won an award for rock performance by a duo or groupwith vocal and for best pop instrumental performance.

Miguel Wins Three

Mexican crooner Luis Miguel also won three awards, includingalbum of the year for Amarte Es Un Placer. Mana won one awardin addition to its two with Santana.

Santana, who alternately dedicated his awards to Africa, to thewomen of the world, bilingual education and Nelson Mandela, saidwinning so often doesn’t make him jaded.

“It feels like the first kiss, when a beautiful woman allowsyou to touch her tongue with your tongue,” he said. “It feelsvery natural and divine and human.”

The awards were started by an offshoot of the National Academyof Recording Arts & Sciences, which produces the Grammys, tocapitalize on a growing interest in Latin music.

Fury Over Definition

With a broad definition of Latin music—anything sung in eitherSpanish or Portuguese—the first nominations caused somecontroversy. The largest Latin record label in the United States,Fonovisa, boycotted, complaining that the Latin Grammys slightedMexican styles such as norteno, tejano and ranchera. Three of itsartists won awards and were not there to accept them.

There also was some grumbling that television producers werefavoring artists who sing in English and are better known amongAmericans. American teen favorites Christina Aguilera, ‘N Sync andRicky Martin performed.

“I hope these awards will unite people,” producer-songwriterEmilio Estefan said. “Latinos were discriminated against for manyyears. I feel now we’re making progress in bringing recognition toour culture.”

Estefan, Argentine rocker Fito Paez, Colombian singer Shakiraand Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra won two trophies apiece.

Tribute for Puente

A hip-swiveling Martin, paying tribute to the late mambo kingTito Puente, opened the Latin Grammy telecast. Puente, who died inJune, won an award for best tropical performance. A tearful AudreyPuente, a television news personality in New York City, acceptedthe trophy for her father. She said he was particularly proud ofhis album, Mambo Birdland, and hoped it would win an award.

“Not only was he a great musician and humanitarian, but he wasa great leader for the Latin community,” she said.

The Latin Grammys named a Cuban singer in his 70s, IbrahimFerrer, as its best new artist. He came to prominence recentlythrough his work on the Buena Vista Social Club album.

Estefan, Gloria’s husband, was honored as producer of the yearfor his work on eight separate albums. He also directed the winnerof best music video, Gloria Estefan’s performance of No Me DejesDe Querer.

Guerra won awards for best merengue performance and his song,El Niagara En Bicicleta, was named best tropical song. Paez wasthe songwriter for Al Lado Del Camino, which won the LatinGrammy for best rock song. The same song won best male rock vocalperformance.

Fathers vs. Sons

In a category that pitted two fathers and sons against eachother, heartthrob Alejandro Fernandez won best ranchero performance,beating his father, Vicente. Antonio Aguilar and his son, Pepe,were also nominees in the category.

Shakira, honored for best female vocal and best female rockperformance, saluted her native country.

“I want to dedicate this award to that country that is goingthrough difficult times right now but never forgets how to smile,”she said. “This is for you, Colombia. Para ti Colombia.”

A blue-haired Celia Cruz won a Latin Grammy for best salsaperformance.

The two-hour ceremony was televised on CBS in the United Statesand was seen in more than 120 other countries.

The 2,600 members of the Latin Academy of Recording Arts &Sciences were eligible to vote in the 40 award categories.