The 23rd annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony was a huge hit, celebrating the present and embracing Latin music's future by paying tribute to today's most influential, hottest, and iconic artists. Known as one of the biggest nights in the Latin music industry, the awards show aired live from the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, November 17.
Hosted by Luis Fonsi, Thalia, and Anitta and Laura Pausini, fans enjoyed performances by Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Sebastian Yatra, John Legend, Karol G, and Bad Bunny, who took home the most Grammys with a perfect 10. Edgar Barrera followed with nine, while Rauw Alejandro and Rosalía received eight each.
Another highlight was this year's Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, awarded to Mexican star Marco Antonio Solís. Then Legend and Yatra took the stage with "Tacones Rojos."
But here at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, the biggest highlight came when multiple Frost alums' names were announced for their respective awards.
Among them were Julio Reyes Copello, Carlitos López, José Valentino, Federico Vindver, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.
- Carlitos López won Best Christian Album [Spanish language]
- Gonzalo Rubalcaba won Best Traditional Tropical Album
- Julio Reyes Copello won Best Producer of the Year
- Federico Vindver won Best Alternative Song, Best Singer-Songwriter, and Best Latin Pop Album
- José Valentino won Best Latin Children's Album
"I've been part of several winning projects, but this album is extra special for many reasons," said Valentino, a multi-Latin GRAMMY® Award and EMMY® Award Winning artist, producer, composer, and entrepreneurial tactician, about his Best Children's Album award.
The Frost alum, who earned a Master’s of Music in flute performance and was a Henry Mancini Fellow, continued to say, "One of the reasons is that my dream as a professor to take the curriculum to the red carpet is now being fulfilled. I included students and beloved colleagues here at the University of Florida School of Music to be a part of this children's album that has now won a Grammy for Best Latin Children's Album."
As Valentino explained, the whole process of the project was done between April and May of this year, which it's not a lot of time. "There's beauty in being able to team up and come up with ideas that are not just about the product, but how we can use the product to inspire listeners and families alike."
See the complete list of the winners here.
