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Aug 22, 2002/ FW/ -- GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY-winning recording artist Gloria Estefan, and
Emmy Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits will co-host the 3rd Annual Latin
GRAMMY Awards telecast, it was announced today.
The show will originate from
Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on September 18, and be broadcast on the CBS
Television Network from 9-11 p.m. (ET/PT). Performers and presenters for the
widely anticipated event will be announced shortly.
With more than 70 million albums sold worldwide, Gloria Estefan's career has
often been cited as the first and best example of a Latin artist crossing over
to the general U.S. market. As a Latin GRAMMY and three-time GRAMMY winner, her
English- and Spanish-language albums have put her at the forefront of pop and
Latin music.
In addition to her career, Estefan extends herself through her
humanitarian efforts. Her constant support and participation makes her a vital
part of the Latin Recording Academy. She founded the Gloria Estefan Foundation,
whose aim is to reach those who struggle outside the safeguards of society by
promoting good health, education and cultural development, and she displays a
strong commitment to paralysis research through her support of the Miami Project
to Cure Paralysis.
As a singer/songwriter, actor, and humanitarian, Estefan has
firmly established herself as a role model in the Latin community and around the
world.
Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, and co-owner of one of Los
Angeles' premier Latin music venues (the Conga Room), Jimmy Smits has
established himself as one of the most versatile actors working in film,
television and on the stage.
Arguably best known for his roles on two hit
series, "LA Law" and "NYPD Blue," Smits had the distinction of having received
an Emmy nomination for every year he had been on television. He recently
appeared in the summer blockbuster Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the
Clones.
On stage, Smits performed, to critical acclaim, in "Twelfth Night"
to sold-out crowds during New York's Shakespeare Festival in Central Park.
Smits' dedication to his Latin heritage is apparent through his role as
co-founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, whose mission is to
increase access for Hispanic artists and professionals while fostering the
emergence of new Hispanic talent.
Through his talent and commitment to a variety
of philanthropic causes, Smits is a true leader within the Latin community.
To help promote the 3rd Annual Latin GRAMMYs, and further expose this year's
outstanding nominated music and artists, the Latin Recording Academy and Warner
Musica Latina will be releasing the third installment of the Latin GRAMMY
Nominee CD on September 10. The compilation disc will contain up to 17 nominated
tracks from categories including Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best
Salsa Album and Best Ranchera Album, among others.
This year's show reflects the geographical scope of Latin music as the
nominees come from across the globe - from Mexico and Spain, to Argentina and
Cuba - making it a truly international celebration. The Latin GRAMMYs will
present awards in 40 key categories covering many genres and sub-genres of Latin
music.
Leading the nominations for the Latin GRAMMY Awards is Colombian artist
Carlos Vives with six; legendary diva Celia Cruz holds four; and a diverse
contingent of artists including Miguel Bosé, Emilio Estefan, Juanes, Gian Marco
and Alejandro Sanz, each earned three nominations.
The 3rd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will be telecast by the CBS Television
Network (9 - 11 p.m. ET/PT); carried on radio via the Hispanic Broadcasting
Corporation and Westwood One worldwide; and featured on the Internet at GRAMMY.com and on America Online,
Inc. (AOL Keyword: Latin GRAMMY).
The 3rd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards is produced by Cossette Productions.
Pierre and John Cossette are executive producers; Ken Ehrlich is
producer/writer; Walter Miller is producer/director; and Tisha Fein is
coordinating producer.
For more information, as well as a complete list of nominees, please go to www.grammy.com.
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