It’s one memorable Grammy night for Marisol Hernandez and her La Santa Cecilia band mates…
The Mexican-American singer, known as La Marisoul, and her Los Angeles-based band members earned the first Grammy of their career on Sunday during the pre-Grammy telecast ceremony.
La Santa Cecilia, named after the patron saint of musicians, Saint Cecilia, won the award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album for the bilingual band’s album Treinta Dias.
“Thank you to our beautiful City of Angels,” said Marisoul. “We are proud to be from immigrant parents and dedicate the Grammy to the 11 million undocumented workers in America.”
Along with lead singer Hernandez, band members include guitarist Gloria Estrada, accordinist and requinto player Jose Carlos, bassist Alex Bendana, percussionist Miguel Ramirez and drummer Hugo Varagas.
La Santa Cecilia wasn’t the only act to earn its first Grammy…
Draco Rosa, a three-time Latin Grammy winner, picked up his first gramophone from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and former Menudo band member, a previous nominee in 2011 for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album, won the award for Best Latin Pop Album for his latest studio effort Vida.
The sixth time’s the charm for the Gipsy Kings…
The group, made up mostly of the children of Spanish gitanos, won their first Grammy for Best World Music Album for Savor Flamenco, tying Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Live: Singing For Peace Around The World for the prize.
Christian Tumalan’s 19 piece traditional Latin big band Pacific Mambo Orchestra won its first Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album for its self-titled album, which was produced independently through a Kickstarter campaign.
Meanwhile, Bruno Mars earned the second Grammy of his career at the 56th annual Grammy Awards. The 28-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, nominated for four awards this year, earned the Best Pop Vocal Album award for his chart-topping sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox.
Paquito D’Rivera earned the fourth Grammy of his noted career. The 65-year-old Cuban saxophonist and clarinetist’s Song for Maura took the prize for Best Latin Jazz Album.
Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea won its second career-Grammy. The group earned the award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) for its album A Mi Manera.
Click here to see the complete list of winners and nominees.