Latin Entertainment celebrates 18th ASCAP Latin Music Awards

By Sederick Short (OnlineSalsa.com)

LOS ANGELES, CA – Last Tuesday (March 23th) ASCAP, the leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the largest collection of over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 370,000 songwriter-, composer- and music publisher members worldwide, held their 18th annual ASCAP Latin Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California (U.S.A.). Jorge Luis Piloto, Armando Manzanero, Joan Sebastian, Tommy Torres and Anthony Santos were some of the Top Honorees.

The ASCAP Latin Music Awards is an ‘invite only’ event. It is also one of the most attended and famous events in the Latin entertainment society. Carlos Alvarez -  Univision's radio personality -  hosted the all-star gathering together with special guest presenter Greydis Gil who is the winner of last year’s "Nuestra Belleza Latina" 2009 beauty pageant. Included to the show were live performances by the following stars and performing artists: Shaila Durcal (Spanish singer/songwriter), Monica Velez (Mexican singer/songwriter), Luis Enrique (Nicaraguan salsa romantica singer/songwriter), Wilfran Castillo (Colombian singer/songwriter) , Alejandro Lerner (Argentinean singer/songwriter/producer), and Carlos Baute (Venezuelan singer). Among the luminaries and honorees in attendance were Diana Reyes, Marco Antonio Solis, Maria Conchita Alonso, Jose Manuel Figueroa, Alexander Acha, Armando Avila, Amerika Jimenez, Carlos Marmo, Luz Rios, Xabier y Edgar Semper (Mambo Kingz), Luz Rios, Pete Astudillo, Oro Norteno, Larry Hernandez, and Wise.

Latin Illuminaries among prize winners
Latin Song of the Year award: "El Amor" written by Tito 'El Bambino' and Joan Ortiz Espada
Special honors for career achievement: Armando Manzanero and Jorge Luis Piloto

Publisher of the Year award: Sony/ATV Discos Music Publishing

Independent Publisher of the Year award: Premium Latin Publishing

Due to the growing diversity and popularity of Latin music this year’s “Songwriter of the Year award" was shared by: Anthony Santos (Aventura's lead singer and songwriter: 1st time), Tommy Torres, (songwriter, arranger and producer: 1st time) and Joan Sebastian (Grammy Award-winning songwriter/performer: 5th time).

In recognition of his extraordinary songs, which have enriched Latin music worldwide, Paul Williams and Nicaraguan salsa romantica singer/songwriter Luis Enrique presented Jorge Luis Piloto with ASCAP's Golden Note Award. In 1993 Piloto was ASCAP's very first Latin Songwriter of the Year. Luis Enrique performed a selection of Piloto's songs to celebrate his friend's career achievements. Omar Alfanno, Joan Sebastian, Jose Feliciano, and Victor Manuelle are some of the great artists winning this prestigious ASCAP's Golden Note Award in the past.

Armando Manzanero received the ASCAP's Latin Heritage Award from the hands of President and Chairman Paul Williams and ASCAP Vice President, Membership Group - Latin Alexandra Lioutikoff, in recognition of his lifetime of contributions to Latin music. Manzanero was honored in song by Argentinean singer/songwriter/producer Alejandro Lerner as part of the tribute. Past recipients of the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award include Celia Cruz, Antonio Aguilar, Ednita Nazario, Ricardo Montaner, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Franco de Vita, Olga Tanon and Ricardo Arjona.

Throughout the evening, awards were also presented in the following categories: Pop, Regional Mexican, Tropical, Television, and Urban.