Latin Grammy 2014: Joan Manuel Serrat To Be Honored As Person Of The Year

In light of the Latin GRAMMYs 2014 nominations announced today, it’s important to make a separate note on a special award that will be given to Joan Manuel Serrat. The Spanish singer/songwriter and composer will receive the 2014 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year during a gala that will take place November 29, 2014, a day before the Latin GRAMMYs take place in Las Vegas. "As a profound and brilliant songwriter, a true poet in Spanish and Catalan and a sensational performer, Joan Manuel Serrat's lyrical style and magnificent talent make him a treasured and timeless musical figure," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president/CEO of the Latin Recording Academy.

"Through his talent, artistry, passion, and dedication to his craft, his work has spoken to music fans all over. It is a privilege to recognize a man with such an illustrious and socially conscious career, and we look forward to celebrating his creativity and legacy." The celebration will feature songs from Serrat's catalog performed by an impressive array of notable artists and friends. A Barcelona native, Serrat began to perform as a teenager, signing his first record contract in 1965. His career was marked by political activism against dictator Francisco Franco, who banned him from Spanish media for five years.

However, his music transcended frontiers, as he is considered one of the most important figures of modern, popular music in both the Spanish and Catalan languages. "Joan Manuel Serrat took Miguel Hernández's beautiful little poem 'Llego Con Tres Heridas (I Come With Three Wounds)' and turned it into an even more beautiful song, haunting in its simplicity," said GRAMMY-nominated singer songwriter Joan Baez. "I fell in love with the song and recorded it in 1974. I still sing it today." Shakira also shares the sentiment.

"Joan Manuel has become a true symbol for freedom, coherence, quality, and perfect use of our language, and a reference that we all have in reaching our goals," she said. Serrat joins her (Shakira) along with Miguel Bosé, Plácido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Gilberto Gil, Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Santana and Caetano Veloso in the exclusive “Person of the Year” club.