An annual series, “BMI PRESENTS: Latin Music Showcases” will also be held on July 11 (“Verano Alternativo,” rock and alternative rock), September 10 (“Noche Bohemia,” acoustic singer/songwriter) and November 19 (“Al Otro Lado Del Hip-Hop,” Latin/urban). Each event will focus on a different genre of music in the Latino musical landscape and will be held at S.O.B.’s

“Latin music is one of the fastest growing segments in the music business,” said Porfirio Pina, BMI’s Director, Latin Music, New York. “This series showcases some of the most diverse artists and songwriters in New York as well as the world. It’s an opportunity for the industry and public to discover new talent and get hooked on some of the most engaging new artists releasing CDs and music today.”

The U.S. leader in Latin music, BMI represents such Latin songwriters as Shakira, Los Tigres del Norte, Ricky Martin, Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Santana, Juanes, composer Gustavo Santaolalla, Café Tacuba and many others.

About the bands:

TAXI AMARILLO (yellow cab) - Young Latino duo Cruzmonty and Chris Hierro are creating a unique blend of r&b, soul, salsa, rock, pop and hip-hop. Cruzmonty and Chris were brought together by what some may consider fate. One night as Chris performed at Mirage, a popular nightclub in the Bronx, Cruzmonty sat with his manager in the audience, completely taken aback by what he heard and amazed at how much he could relate to Chris’s musical style. Within minutes, Cruzmonty’s manager arranged to get his artist onstage for a duo with Chris and what happened next was perfect musical chemistry. Once offstage, the two soon became inseparable, endlessly collaborating on lyrics and melodies over the next few months. With lyrics that will move you, voices that will elevate you, and a style that will blow you away, one thing is for sure: You will never be the same once you go on a ride with Taxi Amarillo.

THALISHA - A talented young singer/songwriter who melds the influences experienced growing up as a true urban Latina, Thalisha hails from Washington Heights, New York and her passion for life is her music. Winner of the 2003 Underground Music Awards for Best R&B Female, Thalisha embodies all the elements needed for success in today’s ever-changing music marketplace. Her versatility as a singer/songwriter has garnered her the opportunity to work alongside the same producers who have generated hits for r&b elite Beyonce and Mary J. Blige, and legendary Latin producers who have created hits for acts like Proyecto Uno, Huey Dunbar, Jelly Bean, Shaggy, Notorious B.I.G. and Tito Nieves. Thalisha is already making noise on her U.S. turf and now has a presence overseas. She currently has a song released in France with Barclay/Universal-France recording artists Relic.

FRANCISCO SALICRUP - A singer/songwriter born in La Isla Del Encanto, Puerto Rico from Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, then later raised in the heart of Boston. This young blood captured the attention of the music industry and stole the hearts of fans when he landed on “Objectiva Fama,” the Latin American version of “American Idol” in 2005. Musical influences include singers with true Latin soul, such as Grammy Award crooner Marc Anthony. Francisco merges the influences of salsa, r&b, soul, house, hip-hop and reggae. He feels that to be a singer in this day in age, one must be able to provide entertainment for both teenagers and adults. He loves to sing salsa, bachata, and r&b, but realizes that music is forever changing, so he is open to exploring different genres.

SONIDO SECRETO - This act was once categorized as a blend of grunge and psychedelic rock with subliminal sound effects and samples. As the band went through several line up changes, its sound evolved into a more progressive rock approach, with classic rock, hard rock and blues influences. Sonido Secreto released its first album, Eternal Jam, in April of 2005. Eternal Jam is a psychedelic rock/blues trip of four songs clocking 50 minutes, in total. The long-awaited first full-length album, Voodoo Sonico, is due out in the summer of 2007. Voodoo Sonico would satisfy any rock fan with its mixture of blues, hard rock, psychedelic rock, grunge rock and pop rock. This production will also be Sonido Secreto’s first bilingual album and the first release on Guasabara Records. Live performances are highlighted by the use of abstract visuals, which are conceived by the band.

en español

BMI, the leading U.S. performing right organization, staged the 13th edition of its Latin Music Awards on Friday, April 7, with top honors reserved for merengue superstar Juan Luis Guerra, Colombian rocker Juanes, Big Brother theme song "Miedo," and Mexican music publisher SER-CA Publishing, Inc. Held for the first time in New York City at the Metropolitan Pavilion, the black-tie ceremony recognized the songwriters and publishers of the past year's 50 most performed Latin songs on American radio and television. The gala event was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Diane Almodovar, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Miami.

BMI Latin Awards Photo Slideshow

BMI's 2006 Latin Award-winning songs

Juan Luis Guerra: BMI Icon

Among the winners and special guests at the 2006 BMI Latin Awards were Don Omar, Luny Tunes, Beto y Sus Canarios, Sebastian Krys, Norgie Noriega, Los Tucanes De Tijuana's Mario Quintero, Ramón Orlando, Papi Sanchez, Clímax's Oskar Lobbo, Willie Colón, KC Porter, Pepe Garza, Don Cheto, Game G, Larry Harlow, DJ Blass, Francisco Casanova, N.O.R.E., Javier Garcia, Fato, Boy Wonder, Liza Quin, Chichi Peralta, Jellybean Benitez, Johnny Pacheco, and many more.

Juan Luis Guerra	Juanes	Fato

But the spotlight was on Grammy Award-winning artist Juan Luis Guerra, who was named a BMI Icon for his "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." The Icon presentation featured an all-star musical salute that brought down the house, with performances by India, Jandy Feliz, Jose "El Canario" Alberto, Huey Dunbar, Isidro Infante and his "All-Star Band," and 440's Adalgisa Pantaleón and Chocolate.

Named BMI's 1995 Latin Songwriter of the Year, Guerra's blend of traditional tropical music, merengue rhythms and lyrical romanticism has produced such celebrated songs as "Para Tí" and "Las Avispas," two of the night's Latin Award-winning songs, as well as "Viviré," "Bachata Rosa," "Burbujas de Amor" and "Estrellitas y Duendes." With a list of accolades that now includes six Grammys, numerous Univision awards, six Billboard Latin Music Awards and 14 BMI Latin Awards, his songs have been recorded by international Latin stars Luis Miguel, Emmanuel and others. A passionate philanthropist, Guerra's Fundación 440 has been providing medical assistance to the disadvantaged in his beloved homeland of the Dominican Republic since its creation in 1991.

Twelve-time Latin Grammy winner Juanes added BMI Latin Songwriter of the Year to his extensive inventory of awards by penning three songs on the top 50 list: "La Camisa Negra," "Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor" and Volverte A Ver." This trio of hits pushes the Colombian rocker's BMI Awards total over 10 and includes last year's Song of the Year win for his Nelly Furtado duet, "Fotografía." Named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2005, the Spanish-only singer has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.

"Miedo" ("Afraid"), written by Enrique "Fato" Guzmán Yáñez (SACM) and published by Vander America Music, was named Latin Song of the Year for scoring the most airplay of any song on the most performed list. This is the second BMI Latin Award for Fato, whose "alternative mariachi" style mixes Latin pop and traditional Mexican music. Recorded by Latin Grammy-nominated Regional Mexican star Pepe Aguilar, the Big Brother theme song topped Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart in 2005 and was number one in Mexico for four consecutive months.

SER-CA Publishing, Inc. earned the Publisher of the Year trophy for the second year in a row with five titles on the list of 50, giving the Monterrey, Mexico-based publisher the highest percentage of ownership of Latin Award songs. Founded more than four decades ago by Don Servando Cano, the company focuses on Regional Mexican artists like Intocable, Bronco El Gigante de America, Grupo Pesado and others.

In addition to Juanes and Guerra, songwriters Cruz Martinez and Julieta Venegas (SGAE) scored multiple awards, as did publishers Cibao Music Company, CKJointz Music, Editora Arpa Musical, EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Ensign Music LLC, Foreign Imported Productions and Publishing, Inc., Kike Santander Music LLC/Santander Songs, peermusic (Peer International Corp./peermusic III, Ltd.), Songs of Camaleon, Universal-M?sica Unica Publishing, Vander America Music and Warner/Chappell Music Group (Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Rightsong Music, Inc.).

Another of the evening's highlights was the presentation of the BMI Foundation's third annual peermusic Latin Scholarship to Berklee College of Music student Marco Godoy. The 23-year-old Venezuelan songwriter, who also won the prestigious honor in 2004, reclaimed the title and took home a $5,000 scholarship for his song "Para Mi Eres Todo," sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in Latin music. Established by the BMI Foundation and funded by the generosity of the peermusic publishing companies, the scholarship is awarded annually through a competition for original Latin songs and instrumental compositions.

Café Tacuba	Robi Draco Rosa

Del Real, keyboardist/songwriter of rock en espa�ol band Caf� Tacuba, earned five nominations including three as part of Caf� Tacuba (Album of the Year and Best Alternative Album for Cuatro Caminos, and Best Music Video for "Eres") and two as a songwriter for "Eres," up for Song of the Year and Best Rock Song.

Akwid	Albita

Cuban piano master Bebo Vald�s earned four nominations including Album of the Year and Best Traditional Tropical Album for his collaborative effort, L�grimas Negras, while the album's title track earned a Record of the Year nod. The octogenarian also received a nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album for We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together.

Molotov

Songwriter/artist/producer Robi Draco Rosa took home three mentions, while Mexican hip-hop brothers Akwid, Cuban singwr/songwriter Albita and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer/songwriter Gustavo Santaolalla each earned two. Molotov bassist/vocalist Miguel "Mickey" Huidobro also got two nominations for the smash "Hit Me," one as a songwriter for Best Rock Song and another with the band for Best Video.

Other BMI-affiliated Latin stars on the nominees list included Conjunto Primavera, Kinky, Los Tigres del Norte, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Mauricio & Palodeagua, Ozomatli, Soraya and Tanghetto.

BMI's 2004 Latin Grammy Nominees

5 Nominations
Emmanuel Del Real

4 Nominations
Bebo Vald�s

3 Nominations
Robi Draco Rosa
Caf� Tacuba

2 Nominations
Akwid
Albita
Miguel Huidobro
Gustavo Santaolalla

Other Nominees
Mario Adnet
Pepe Aguilar
Alejandro Allen
Andy Andy
Area 305
Ram�n Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte
Banda El Recodo de Cruz Liz�rraga
Jose Cantoral (SACM)
Conjunto Primavera
Control Machete (SACM)
DJ Kane
Huey Dunbar
Emilio Estefan, Jr.
Jimmy Gonz�lez y Grupo Mazz
Paulo Jobim
An�bal Kerpel
Kinky
Sebastian Krys
Mario Quintero Lara
Limi-T 21
Little Joe & La Familia
Los Tigres del Norte
Ricky Martin
Freddie Martinez
Roberto Mart�nez
Mauricio & Palodeagua
Luis Miguel
Molotov
Fernando Osorio
Ozomatli
Plastilina Mosh
Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto
Lupillo Rivera
Al Schmitt
Jose Serebrier
Itaal Shur
Joyce Silveira Palhan De Jesus
Soraya
Superlitio
Tanghetto
La Tropa F
Andrew Weiss

Songwriter Martha Cancel, who was unable to attend this year's Latin Awards ceremony in Miami, is presented with award plaques for "Por Tu Placer" by BMI's Jessie Lema. photo: Dana Rodriguez

Affiliated with BMI since 1999, Cancel is currently collaborating with Gene Evaro, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Osvaldo Pichaco on various musical projects. Her latest song, "Llegaste Tu," will be included on New York-based Latin singer/songwriter Huey Dunbar's upcoming release in August 2003.]]> 2003-07-08T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233737 Artists, Dunbar, Huey, Fernando, Osorio, Fernando, Musical Styles, Dance, Latin, Musicworld, Feature Huey Dunbar (seated) is welcomed by BMI's Jessie Lema in the New York office as he signs his affiliation papers. The Puerto Rican/Jamaican-bred artist is the former lead singer of tropical-club/dance act DLG (Dark Latin Groove) whose 1996 hit "No Morira" held the #1 spot on the Billboard Tropical chart for six weeks. His 2001 Sony Discos debut as a solo artist, Yo Si Me Enamore, sold more than 100,000 units. He is currently getting ready to release his second solo project this summer, which will feature two songs co-written by Fernando Osorio and Magic Juan.

photo: Dana Rodriguez

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