November - December 2002

Omar Alfanno and Joan Sebastian Named Songwriters
of the Year at 10th Annual El Premio ASCAP
Warner Brothers and Warner/Chappell Named Publisher of the Year
Gilberto Santa Rosa Receives ASCAP Latin Heritage Award

LATIN LEADERS Pictured at ASCAP's El Premio Latin Music Awards celebration at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom are ASCAP's Executive Vice President Todd Brabec and Alexandra Lioutikoff, Songwriters of the Year Joan Sebastian and Omar Alfanno and ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento.

The Society celebrated its 10th annual El Premio ASCAP dinner at the Hammerstein Ballroom in the Manhattan Center in New York City. The black tie gala, hosted by ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento, honored the most performed composers and publishers of Latin music of 2001. In addition, Gilberto Santa Rosa was awarded ASCAP's Latin Heritage Award, one of the Society's most prestigious honors, given to those who have made unique and enduring contributions to music. Past recipients of this award include Celia Cruz and Antonio Aguilar.

Miss Universe Denise Quiñones and Manny Perez, star of "100 Centre Street," served as celebrity guest hosts. Among the participating artists and award recipients in attendance were: Alicia Villareal, Fabio Zambrana Marchetti of Azul Azul, La India, Victor Manuelle, José Alberto "El Canario", Johnny Pacheco, Kevin Ceballo, Jimmy Bosch, Chein Garcia, Jorge Luis Piloto, Alejandro Jaén, Rodolfo "Nava" Barrera, Fato, Miguel Luna, Flor Ivonne Quezada, Beto Cuevas (La Ley), William Duval, La Mosca Tse Tse, La Secta, Rafy Monclova, New York Promoter Ralph Mercado and many others. El Mariachi Alma De México, Alicia Villareal, Fabio Zambrana Marchetti (Azul, Azul), Los Adolescentes and Isidro Infante and Su Elite added the musical color to the evening.

One of the most heartfelt moments of the night was the musical tribute to Gilberto Santa Rosa, in which a group of "soneros" including: Victor Manuelle, Jose Alberto "El Canario", "La India", Johnny Pacheco, joined by emerging crooner Kevin Ceballo, Oscar Serrano of Grupomania, Los Adolescentes, Joan Sebastian, Omar Alfanno and trombone master Jimmy Bosch, offered Gilberto an all-star high energy performance. Honored and moved by his peers' tribute, Gilberto Santa Rosa joined them on stage for a triumphant finale.

Gilberto Santa Rosa, who was awarded the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award, performed for a delighted audience at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

Gilberto Santa Rosa is among the most successful Latin music vocalists in the world. Having earned his name as "El Caballero de la Salsa" (The Gentleman of Salsa), this megastar's recordings have all reached gold and platinum status in the United States, Puerto Rico and across Latin America.

In the mid-90's Santa Rosa signed with Sony Music, becoming one of the most important musical figures in the company's Latin division. Santa Rosa's landmark recordings include "Punto de Vista," "Perspectiva", "A Dos Tiempos De Un Tiempo" (tribute to Tito Rodriguez), "Nace Aquí", "The Man and His Music," "Esencia," and most recently "De Corazón." Last year, Gilberto Santa Rosa made history in New York's Madison Square Garden where he shared the stage with another Salsa hit-maker, Victor Manuelle, for "Dos Soneros, Una Historia" ("Two Soneros, One Story"). They performed to a sold-out audience, a record shared among a select few tropical music luminaries.

Omar Alfanno and Joan Sebastian shared Songwriter of the Year Award honors as the writers of the most charting songs, with five songs each. Omar Alfanno is receiving his second consecutive Songwriter of the Year Award from ASCAP.

Panamanian-born Omar Alfanno's first hit as a songwriter was in 1988, when the well-known singer Willie Colón recorded his tune "El Gran Varón". After that, Alfanno's success continued with such hits as "Vivir Sin Ella" and "Conciencia" sung by Gilberto Santa Rosa and "Amores Como El Nuestro" by Jerry Rivera. His most recent achievements include the megahit "A Puro Dolor" by Son By Four and "Cuando Una Mujer" interpreted by Melina León.

Joan Sebastian was born in the town Julianita of Sierra Guerrero in Mexico. During his early musical career, he blossomed as a both a songwriter and an interpreter. In the year 2000, ASCAP honored Sebastian with "The Silver Pen Award" recognizing 35 years of songwriting. His most recent works include: "Secreto de Amor", "Un Idiota", and "Amorcito Mio." His music has been interpreted by such notable artists as Pepe Aguilar, Rocio Durcal, Lucero, Banda Cachorros, Graciela Beltrán and Maribel Laguardia among others.

ASCAP Latin Music award honors were presented in five categories: Salsa, Rock En Español, Merengue, Pop/Balada and Regional Mexican. Special honors were also awarded for the Supersong of the Year and Independent Rock En Español Group of the Year. The "Supersong of the Year" award went to "Abrazame Muy Fuerte," composed by Alberto Aguilera Valadez, published by Alma Musical and BMG Songs Inc. Skapulario was named Independent Rock en Español Group of the Year.

The top-winning songs of each category were: in Salsa "Pero No Me Ama", composed by Rafael Monclova de Jes's, published by La Editora de M'sica PMC; Rock En Español, "Para No Verte Más", composed by Guillermo Novellis (Sadaic), Pablo Tisera (Sadaic), published by WB Music Corp.; Rock En Español Independent Group of the Year, Skapulario; Merengue, "Como Olvidar", composed by Gustavo Arenas and Jorge Luis Piloto, published by Arena Fina Publishing, Lanfranco Music, peermusic; Pop/Balada, "La Bomba", composed by Fabio Zambrana Marchetti, published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC; Regional Mexican "Despreciado" composed by Jes's Navarrete Urena, published by Vander Music.

Publisher of the Year honors went to WB Music Corp/Warner Chappell Music Inc. as the publisher of the most award-winning songs. They published a total of 20 winning songs.

ASCAP is the dominant creative force in Latin music. Based on Billboard's 2001 year-end charts, ASCAP members secured 88% of Latin Tropical/Salsa Airplay, including the 9 of the Top 10 songs; 83% Latin Pop Airplay with 7 of the Top 10; 68% of Hot Latin Tracks with 9 of the Top 10; and 63% of Latin Regional Mexican Airplay.

Latin Music Awards Photos
Complete List of Winners and More Event Coverage
Video Clips from Behind the Scenes at ASCAP's 2002 Award Shows

Playback : November - December 2002
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