The Latin Recording Academy announced the Musical Excellence Award will honor a legendary span of artists during the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony in Las Vegas, scheduled for November 16. The tribute marks Flores’s decades-long musical journey, placing him among other renowned names from the Americas, including Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela. The award recognizes a career defined by sustained impact and broad influence across Latin music.
Officials from the Latin Recording Academy emphasized the magnitude of this collective achievement. The executive director noted that honoring such a distinguished slate of artists reflects a lasting contribution to Latin music and the Latino communities they inspire. This announcement came in a press release issued this week in advance of the ceremony. [Citation: Latin Recording Academy]
music fusions and genres
In recent years Flores has been one of the country’s most popular vocalists, successfully navigating a spectrum of styles that includes rock ballads, pop traditions, and the Catalan rumba, a blend that showcases his versatility and appeal across diverse audiences. The Musical Excellence Award selections are determined by the Latin Recording Academy’s board of directors to honor artists whose work has enriched Latin music over time and added value to the broader music community. [Citation: Latin Recording Academy]
Among the enduring figures acknowledged is Yordano, the Venezuelan singer‑songwriter who reshaped Latin music with a poetic voice and a repertoire spanning cosmopolitan pop, tropical rhythms, and romantic ballads. Argentine Amanda Miguel is celebrated for a career spanning more than four decades, with continued momentum into 2022 through performances alongside her daughter Ana Victoria during the tour era. Rita Lee, a Brazilian icon, is recognized for her pioneering blend of psychedelia with pop ballads, MPB, bossa nova, and new wave, marking her as one of the most influential voices in Brazilian music history. [Citation: Latin Recording Academy]
Past editions have honored other luminaries such as Rita Moreno, Chucho Valdés, Omara Portuondo, Joaquín Sabina, and Fito Páez within the last ten years. The Academy also presents Board of Directors Awards to individuals in the music world who contribute beyond performing arts. [Citation: Latin Recording Academy]
Within this segment, Spanish artist Manolo Díaz stands among the winners, now serving as a member of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation board. Cuban saxophonist and composer Paquito D’Rivera, a nine‑time Latin GRAMMY winner and five‑time Grammy Award recipient, and renowned Mexican bassist Abraham Laboriel are also highlighted. Díaz, who began in the Spanish rock scene of the 1960s with Los Sonor and later shaped the sound for Los Bravos and Aguaviva, has held influential roles at major labels like CBS, Sony, IFPI, and UMG. He collaborated with artists including Julio and Enrique Iglesias, Raffaella Carrá, Juanes, and Carlos Vives. Paquito D’Rivera is noted for elevating Latin jazz through performances with leading orchestras worldwide and for advocating the inclusion of Latin American composers in classical repertoires. Abraham Laboriel is recalled for his work with global stars such as Ella Fitzgerald and Herbie Hancock, earning a reputation as a go-to bassist in Latin music circles. [Citation: Latin Recording Academy]
All the award recipients are set to be recognized at a special Latin Grammy event on November 16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of the Latin Grammy Awards festivities. [Citation: Latin Recording Academy]