Berklee Alumni Win at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards

The Latin Recording Academy honored the achievements of Latin music and its creators at the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards held on Thursday, November 16, from the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Seville, Spain, marking the first-ever international telecast in the history of the organization and awards program.

Singer, songwriter, and producer Cristina Abaroa '91 took home a gold-plated gramophone in the Best Latin Children's Album category for producing Vamos Al Zoo by Danilo & Chapis. In addition, three Berklee alumni collaborated with Abaroa on the project: Bruce Sugar '77, Jett Galindo '12, and Scott Erickson '92. Prior to winning the Latin Grammy Award, she had been nominated three times consecutively in the category.

Internationally recognized Dominican singer and songwriter Juan Luis Guerra '82, '09H, who studied jazz composition at Berklee, was the Best Tropical Song winner for his performance on “Si Tú Me Quieres.” Guerra, who is credited for popularizing bachata music on a global level, is now a 25-time Latin Grammy Award winner. Evan Sutton B.M. '10 won a Latin Grammy for his work as an engineer on the album Tu Historia by Julieta Venegas which won for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Since the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences founded the Latin Grammys in 2000, 51 Berklee alumni have received 118 awards.

Below is a full list of Berklee alumni Latin Grammy winners. Please note the list is subject to change as we receive updated information.

Best Pop Vocal Album

• Tu Historia, Julieta Venegas
  Evan Sutton B.M. '10, engineer

Best Tropical Song

• “Si Tú Me Quieres,” Fonseca and Juan Luis Guerra
  Juan Luis Guerra '82, '09H, songwriter

Best Latin Children's Album

• Vamos Al Zoo, Danilo & Chapis
  Cristina Abaroa '91, producer, songwriter, singer, arranger, vocals, guitar
  Bruce Sugar '77, mixing engineer
  Jett Galindo B.M. '12, mastering engineer
  Scott Erickson '92, arranger, recording engineer