Latin Stars Thank Guerra and Juanes At Latin Grammy’s

Mexican brother and sister duo Jesse & Joy take home four awards at the Latin Grammy’s in Las Vegas. Their hit record Corre! (Run!) won them record and song of the year. They celebrated the prize with the words, “Viva Mexico!” The duo also won best contemporary album for their third studio album Con Quien Se Queda El Perro (Who Is The Dog Staying With?). “Thanks to people like Juanes and Juan Luis Guerro who have inspired us. Love and peace,” said Jesse.

Juanes is one of the world’s best known Latin stars. The singer took home the coveted album of the year reward. “What a great joy. Thank God, and all the fans,” he said in his acceptance speech. Juanes also performed at the Las Vegas ceremony with legendary guitarist Carlos Santana. The star now has 19 Latin Grammy’s to his name, tying him with reggaeton group Calle 13 for the most awards.

Juanes paid tribute to Dominican singer songwriter Luis Guerra by pulling him up on stage. Guerra had already won an award for producing the album that won the prize for Juanes. “Here’s the maestro Juan Luis Guerra for making this possible,” said Juanes.

Guerra led this year’s nominations with six and recently swept the Latin Grammy’s in previous years. The star missed out on the big awards for En El Eielo No Hay Hospital (In Heaven There Is No Hospital) although his performance of the sog earned him a standing ovation.

Other winners of the evening include Mexican pop group 3BallMTY who won best new artists. Ceaetano Velosos was honored as the Latin Recording Academy’s person of the year. Cuban- American jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval won three Latin Grammys, with two each fro Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Don Omar and Uruguayan alt-rockers Cuarteto de Nos. Milly Quezada was also adouble winner and she  too thanked Guerra who helped produced her album Aqui estoy yo.

Shanika Simmons