An eight-time Latin GRAMMY® winner and two-time GRAMMY® winner, Brazil's Caetano Veloso will be celebrated as the 2012 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year on Wednesday, Nov. 14 in Las Vegas, it was announced today by Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy® ( www.latingrammy.com ). Songs from Veloso's catalog will be performed by an impressive array of notable artists and friends of the honoree. A portion of the net proceeds from the gala will benefit Veloso's chosen charity, Fundação Viva Cazuza in Brazil — a not-for-profit HIV prevention and treatment organization for children and young people — as well as The Latin Recording Academy's outreach and education programs. The celebration will precede the XIII Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on the Univision Network on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. For breaking news and exclusive content, join The Latin Academy's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/latingrammys , and a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/latingrammys .
"Caetano Veloso has become the preeminent ambassador of Brazilian music and culture," said Abaroa. "It is difficult to find a man with such immense talent, passion and dedication to his creative projects — whether in music, writing or activism — and it is The Latin Recording Academy and its Board of Trustees' great pleasure to celebrate a man of limitless talent and commitment. By celebrating Caetano, we celebrate Brazil, and we look forward to honoring his amazing career and music."
A musician, producer, arranger, writer, painter, and political activist, Veloso is considered one of the most influential Brazilians since the '60s. He first became known for his participation in the Brazilian music movement Tropicalia, which signaled a new generation of politically outspoken artists who recreated the face of popular Brazilian music. Veloso was forced into exile in London from 1968–1972, and during this time he developed great musical sensitivity reaching unimaginable heights. It was then that Veloso became a citizen of the world. The '80s gave Veloso his largest audience and recognition as he began touring internationally. Throughout his illustrious career, he has recorded more than 40 albums, published five books, directed a film and has won numerous awards. In 2003 he participated in the 75th Annual Academy Awards, where he and Lila Downs performed "Burn It Blue" from the film Frida, which received a Best Original Song nomination.
Hailed as one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century, Veloso consistently tours and produces albums. This year, he released Live At Carnegie Hall — which documented a special collaborative concert with friend David Byrne in 2004 — and Especial, an album with fellow Brazilians Gilberto Gil and Ivete Sangalo.
As the 2012 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honoree, Veloso joins a list of past recipients that includes Placido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Carlos Santana, and Shakira among many others.