La cuidad de Miami, una ciudad internaciónal, ha desarollado mucho en cuanto a música internaciónal en las últimas dos décadas. La pareja Emilio y Gloria Estefan han hecho mucho en cambiar el enfoque de Miami, a travéz de su música y sus negocios.

Emilio Estefan, quíen llegó a Miami desde los 13 años de Cúba, ha sido una gran figura en la comunidad musical por dos décadas. Según fuentes informativos, los Estefan y otra gente importante fueron claves en traer los premios Grammys Latinos a Miami para el año 2003. Este año será la primera vez que los premios hayan salido de Los Angeles.

La carrera de Gloria Estefan comenzó en la década de los ochenta, cuando ella fue descubierta por Emilio Estefan. Los dos eran muy aficionados a la música, y a su pasíon para el arte se convirtió pronto en pasión de uno para al otro. En 1978 se casaron, y han estado juntos en matrimonio y música desde entonces.

En su rama de productor, Emilio Esteban ha ayudado a muchas de las estrellas de ahora, y posiblemente algunos estarán en Miami el 3 de Septiembre, el día que se celebra la ceremonia de los Grammys. La colombiana Shakira, el puertorequeño Ricky Martin y Jennifer Lopez son discípulos de él, y los tres gozan de fama internacional. Este clase de estrellas es parte de la atracción de los Grammys Latinos, y Miami tendrá la oportunidad de sentir dicha atracción por primera vez.

Los Grammys Latino, desde su comienzo en el año 2000, ha sido el objetivo de protestas de activistas cubanos que son anti-Fidel Castro, y que no estan de acuerdo de que artístas de Cúba no participen en la ceremonia.

After three years in Los Angeles, the Latin Grammys have landed in Miami. But not without controversy.

Since its inception in 2000, the gala event has been the target of political protests by Cubans based in Miami. They have threatened to interrupt the Grammys since the first ceremony three years ago. The continued feud between anti-Castro Cubans and the communist government of Fidel Castro has drawn Cuban musicians into the middle, and protesters have repeatedly insisted that musicians living in Cuba should not be allowed to participate in the ceremonies nor be nominated in any of the categories.

That controversy has and in all likelihood will not go away because Miami will be the host city this year. Emilio and Gloria Estefan, two of the most successful Latin music stars in the world, are said to be thrilled that the Grammys are finally in their adopted city. They themselves boycotted the Latin Grammys when they were scheduled to be held in Miami in 2001. Organizers of the event were forced to change the venue after anti-Cuban protesters threatened to disrupt the proceedings.

"The only reason that we were participating in the Grammys this year is because it was a dream for us that it would be in our city that we love," Emilio Estefan said at the time.

Now he will see many of his protégés at the Latin Grammys in the "city that he loves." Among those who have benefited from the tutelage of the recorde producer-songwriter are Colombian singer Shakira, Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. The nominations will be released later this year, but it is almost certain that someone that has been influenced by Emilio Estefan will make the cut.

Penelas Plays Key Role In Attracting Grammys

It took some convincing to change the minds of the people who are behind the Latin Grammys to move the ceremony to Miami. Gloria and Emilio Estefan, as power figures in the music world and in the city, are rumored to have been involved behind the scenes. Someone else who had a more visible role was Miami Mayor Alex Penelas. Penelas was also involved in the aborted 2001 episode. He blames Michael Greene, who back then was in charge of the Latin Grammys.

"It was really Michael Greene who had drawn the line in the sand and said you either protest on Third Street or I’m leaving,’’ Penelas said. ``There was a personality clash between Joe (Carollo, the former mayor of Miami) and Michael, but it would be unfair to blame it squarely on Joe Carollo."

"Carollo, the

ACLU, the American Airlines arena, even the protesters were willing to compromise. The only one unwilling to compromise was Michael Greene. I don’t think I would have gotten involved again this year had Greene been involved. "

Greene would not respond to those who criticized him. He said he was elated Miami would be the host city again, and vowed to attend the ceremony.

"I have always believed, to this day, that the reasons to hold the Latin Grammys in Miami are profound,’’ Greene said. ``Obviously, Miami is the most international Latin city in the country."

Some Cuban-American leaders believe many exiles are now more tolerant of events that might include performers from the island. Jorge Mursuli, of the People for the American Way civil liberties organization, said events such as the Miami visit of Cuban dissident Osvaldo Paya have been instrumental in opening the minds of some exiles.

‘’There is a better climate of independent thought,’’ Mursuli said. ``The Latin Grammys are not the panacea of change in Miami, but it is one issue that does symbolize the evolution of thought in this community.’’

Emilio Izquierdo, a spokesman for a coalition of exile groups that planned to protest in 2001, said they would organize demonstrations as close as possible to the event if the Grammys invite Cuban performers.

"If there are to be demonstrations,’’ Izquierdo said, ``we would like to hold them at the same site that we had negotiated the last time.’’

"Last time" was on the western sidewalk of Biscayne Boulevard in front of the Freedom Tower, across from the American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat and the scheduled site of the Grammys in 2001.

So the Latin Grammys have come to South Florida, and according to sources, Gloria and Emilio Esteban will not be boycotting the ceremony this time. In 2001, both expressed regret that the gala had been moved to Los Angeles.

"I just wished things had worked out," Estefan told the Miami Herald. This time, it appears they did.

© All rights reserved by Weekly Press

zurück