Best of Latin music ready for 14th Latin Grammys

[November 21, 2013]  (AP) — The 14th annual Latin Grammys will broadcast Thursday night from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas with a chorus of voices recognizable to both English- and Spanish- speaking music fans.

The awards show will be broadcast on Univision and hosted by Mexican singer-actress Lucero. The ceremony will include 48 awards in 19 categories.

Puerto Rican singer Draco Rosa competes for song of the year (for "Mas y Mas" with Ricky Martin) against flamenco diva Buika ("La Nave del Olvido") and Colombian actor-turned-vallenato star Carlos Vives (for "Volvi a Nacer").

The funky Argentine duo Illya Kuryaki and The Valderramas is nominated for five awards.

Two talents who work behind the scenes are favorites to rake in the awards: Javier Garza, a sound engineer from Florida who has worked with a long roster of Latin music's superstars, and Julio Reyes Copello, the Colombian producer behind Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Paulina Rubio, Ricky Martin, Thalia and Nelly Furtado.

Natalie Cole is scheduled to perform a virtual duet with her late father. Her album "En Espanol" is nominated for album of the year.

Other scheduled performers include Carlos Santana, Marc Anthony, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Alejandro Sanz, Banda Carnival and Paquita La del Barrio.

On Wednesday night, stars from across the Americas gathered to honor the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year, Miguel Bose. Ricky Martin, Juanes and Laura Pausini paid tribute to the Spanish singer for his music and his charitable work.

[Associated Press; RAQUEL MARIA DILLON]

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