OMARA PORTUONDO’S “GRACIAS” Nominated at 52nd ANNUAL GRAMMYs :: “Best Tropical Latin Album”

Beloved Cuban diva Omara Portuondo continues to make her mark with her latest album Gracias, produced by Montuno Productions and released on World Village. The album earned the award for Best Contemporary Tropical Album in November at the 10^th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, at which Portuondo made history as the first Cuban resident to be a presenter, delivering the coveted Song of The Year award. Gracias was also honored with the Cubadisco 2009 Grand Prix in May.

This month, Gracias was commemorated once more with a nomination for Best Tropical Latin Album at the 52^nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the Los Angeles Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, and aired on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Such distinction comes both on the heels of Portuondo’s first visit to the U.S. since 2003 in October, and as a precursor to her return in February 2010. In October, Portuondo became one of the first Cuban artists in six years to receive a visa to perform in the U.S., breaking the longstanding embargo between her homeland and the U.S. She will return to delight her fans again in Washington DC, Boston and New York City this coming February.

A world renowned solo artist, and the only female star of the Buena Vista Social Club™, Portuondo is a four-time Latin GRAMMY nominee and winner of the 2008 Prémio Música Brasileira and the 2005 Billboard Latin Music Award. After making a name for herself in Cuba through the Las D’Aida quartet, and releasing multiple successful solo albums in the 1970s and ‘80s, Portuondo achieved worldwide acclaim through the prestige of the Buena Vista Social Club™, which featured such major figures as Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González and Compay Segundo.

Celebrating 60 years of a remarkable musical career, Gracias is Portuondo’s tribute to the songwriters and musicians for whom she holds a special place in her heart. The album was produced by Alê Siqueira, with musical direction from Swami Jr., and it guest stars such artists as Jorge Drexler, Richard Bona, Cachaíto López, Chico Buarque and Chucho Valdés. The New York Times declared that at 79, “her voice…is rich, shapely, dynamic, and still sultry”. The Seattle Times gushed, “Portuondo serves up each song wrapped in her beautifully worn velvet contralto, caressing the melodies with tenderness and love”, and The Philadelphia Inquirer called Gracias simply “a thing of beauty”.

WV479021 (World Village/Montuno)

“Portuondo’s most recent solo set, “Gracias,” was one of last year’s best records, and her 100-minute set in San Francisco showed that she’s an even bigger talent on stage.”

– SAN FRANCISO CHRONICLE (October 21, 2009)

“Portuondo’s contralto still registers as a formidably potent and emotionally limber instrument, telegraphing ruefulness or ecstasy, parental tenderness or swooning romantic fatalism. Her persistent potency is evident on her 2008 release “Gracias,” on which she seamlessly blends her voice in collaboration with Chico Buarque, Pablo Milanés and Jorge Drexler.”

– LOS ANGELES TIMES (October 26, 2009)

“The album places Ms. Portuondo in close-up from a new angle: sometimes sentimental, sometimes mournful. She is 78, but her voice …II rich, shapely, dynamic, and still sultry… Ms. Portuondo seizes the present as well as the past.”

– THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Portuondo is exemplary… she only keeps improving… The greatly understated young Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca…brings a beautiful lyricism to the project… framing Portuondo’s remarkable instrument and classic repertoire.” – Michael Stone, FROOTS (November 2008)

“Aided by producers Alê Siqueira and Swami Junior, and a consummate group of musicians, Portuondo gives a modern touch to nostalgia creating a disc that will delight fans inside and outside Cuba. There are some striking collaborations, ranging from an edgy yet symphonic ‘O que será’ duet with Brazil’s Chico Buarque to ‘Ámame como soy’ with Pablo Milanés, a song with lyrics that could stand as a metaphor for the whole project: ‘Love me as I am…I want to reach your soul.’” – SONGLINES (November 2008)

“It is a tour de force of passion and pleasure, sweeping from gorgeous arrangements to hot-blooded percussive workouts. The core of the album richly captures the passage of time…Listen to “Cuento para un nino” or “Lo que me queda por vivir” and try to keep your feelings in check. It can’t be done, and it should be us giving thanks for such a stirring accomplishment.” – SONICBOOMERS.com

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