Havana, September 21 (RHC) – The Latin Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences has nominated Cuba’s Omara Portuondo, the Santiaguero Septet, Diego Gutiérrez, Telmary,  Alexander Abreu and Havana D’Primera to the 2018 Latin Grammy Awards.

The category of Best Tropical Album includes the CD Omara Siempre with renowned Cuban singer Omara Portuondo by Cuba’s most important record label –EGREM- as well as the Santiaguero Septet and Alberto el Canario with their album A mi qué.

Competing in the category of Best Tropidal Fusion Album is Palante el Mambo! with Diego Gutiérrez by EGREM, Cuban rapper Telmary and her CD Fuerza Arará by the Colibrí seal are included in the category of Alternative Music, while the CD Candor del Pueblo with Alexander Abreu and Havana D’Primera by Páfata Productions and licensed by Abdala and competing in the  Best Salsa Album category.   

Other Cuban residing abroad nominated are singer Aymé Nuviola, percussionist and composer Dafnis Prieto and his Big Band and composer, guitarist and producer Yalil Guerra.

Two days before the 19th Latin Grammies ceremony takes places, a private ceremony is set to be held in Los Angeles in which Cuban jazz musician Chucho Valdés will be presented with the Musical Excellence Award, along with Spain’s Dyango, Brazil’s Erasmo Carlos, Dominican Wilfrido Vargas, Puerto Rican Andy Montañéz, Mexico’s José María Napoleón and Yuri and recording executives Horacio Malvicino and Tomás Muñoz.