Celia tribute is opener
BY JORDAN LEVIN

The Latin Grammys may be all about honoring the Latin music of today, but on Wednesday night the show will start off by honoring a woman who, although gone, is very much in the minds of Latin music lovers: beloved Cuban salsera Celia Cruz, who passed away July 16.

In the first moments of the telecast, CBS viewers across the country will be treated to a blast of premium old-school salsa, featuring the Fania All-Stars, the seminal New York salsa band of the 1960s and 1970s with whom Cruz performed. The segment, produced by Emilio Estefan, will also feature some of today's top salsa and tropical singers. Sources say they will include Marc Anthony, La India and Oscar D'Leon. Miami's own DJ Le Spam, who spins old school salsa and Cuban music with the Spam All-Stars, will play briefly at the segment's start.

''Celia Cruz has been with us from the first Latin Grammy Awards show, and we couldn't let this year be any different,'' said Latin Recording Academy spokeswoman Marya Meyer. ''There have been lots of wonderful festivities honoring her across the United States, in Miami, New Jersey. This will be the one time everyone gets to join together worldwide to pay tribute to the beloved Celia Cruz.''

Gloria Estefan, who will perform in the tribute, said it was especially fitting that Cruz be honored now that the Latin Grammys are finally being held in a city that was like a second home for the salsera. ''This has been a hard-fought Latin Grammys,'' Estefan said. ''She chose to have her last farewell in Miami. She's gone and now they're here.''

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