Although Portuondo is a four-time Latin Grammy nominee, and won a "Prémio Música Brasileira" Brazilian Music Award last year for her duets album with Maria Bethania, as well as a Billboard Latin Music Award in 2005, this is her first Grammy award. Gracias was also awarded the Cubadisco 2009 Gran Premio (Grand Award) in May.
"I would like to thank the Latin Recording Academy for a dream come true," said Omara Portuondo at the 2009 Latin GRAMMY award ceremony . "Tonight I want to say Gracias for the wonderful support given to me over my long career. I was honored to be the first Cuban to present an award this evening and to be given this award for Gracias is a career highlight. Gracias to my fans all over the world."
Portuondo performed two U.S. shows in October of 2009, for the first time since 2003, at UCLA’s Royce Hall and at the San Francisco Jazz Festival. Portuondo will return in February of 2010 with concerts in Washington DC, Boston and New York City, among other major cities.
Gracias was produced by Alê Siqueira, with musical direction from Swami Jr., and it features collaborations with such guest artists as Jorge Drexler, Richard Bona, Cachaíto López, Chico Buarque and Chucho Valdés. It is a special gift from the artist to herself and to the songwriters for whom she feels the highest regard.
Omara Portuondo Tour Dates 2010
Feb 24
Lisner Auditorium
Washington DC
Feb 26
Harvard University: Sanders Theater
Boston, MA
Feb 27
Town Hall
New York, NY
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
