Latest News: Emilio & Gloria Estefan Named Gershwin Prize Winners

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced that husband-and-wife team Emilio and Gloria Estefan are the next recipients of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The honorees represent two historic firsts for the prize – the first time it has been awarded to a married couple or to musicians-songwriters of Hispanic descent.

The Estefans symbolize the rich cultural diversity of the American musical experience. They are musical auteurs, creating a unique sound of Latin rhythms that transcends cultural boundaries, parlaying their creative genius into entrepreneurship and community activism, and propelling the careers of many of today’s Latino artists to stardom. During their more than 30-year career, they have built a musical empire and made listening to Cuban-infused music one of America’s favorite pastimes.

“The music created by Emilio and Gloria Estefan makes you want to listen to the beat and get on your feet,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “They are the creative force behind the popularity of music steeped in the Latino culture. This dynamic couple’s professional and personal journey truly mirrors the American dream and we are so pleased to honor their musical legacy.”

Bestowed in recognition of the legendary songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin, the Gershwin Prize recognizes a living musical artist’s lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of entertainment, information, inspiration and cultural understanding. Previous recipients are Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, Carole King, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson and Tony Bennett.

“From the moment I started singing, I was drawn to the iconic songs of the immensely talented Gershwin brothers and have had the privilege to record several of them,” said Gloria Estefan. “I am deeply honored, along with Emilio Estefan, my beloved husband of 40 years, to be the 2019 recipients of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. This award celebrates lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding and we feel privileged to have been able to live our lives making and sharing music. We are profoundly humbled to have been chosen for this singular accolade.”

“My life and career in music has been a blessing and I’m humbled by this amazing honor and to be sharing it with my wife,” said Emilio Estefan. “I can only hope that our careers will influence a new generation of songwriters and producers. Throughout my career my wish has always been to inspire minorities and to be an example that with hard work and dedication all your dreams can come true.”

The Estefans will receive the prize at an all-star tribute concert in Washington, D.C., in March 2019. The concert will air on PBS stations nationwide in spring 2019 (a broadcast date will be confirmed at a later time). The program also will be broadcast via the American Forces Network to U.S. Department of Defense locations around the world.

“Emilio & Gloria Estefan: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song” is a co-production of WETA Washington, D.C.; Bounce, a division of Concord Music Group; and the Library of Congress. Major funding for the broadcast is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS and public television viewers. Additional funding is provided by The Ira and Leonore Gershwin Fund and The Leonore S. Gershwin Trust for the benefit of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board, Michael Strunsky, Trustee; and Buffy Cafritz, Tom Girardi and Marjorie Fisher Furman. Air transportation is provided by United Airlines.

The broadcast of last year’s Gershwin Prize tribute concert for Tony Bennett was recently honored with an Emmy Award for outstanding music direction. The program originally premiered on PBS on Jan. 12, 2018 and is available to view online at pbs.org/GershwinPrize.

Married since 1978, the Cuban-American Estefans started their extraordinary rise to global fame in 1985 with Miami Sound Machine, creating a unique sound that blended Latin and pop rhythms. Many of their iconic hits, including “Conga,” “Turn the Beat Around,” “Get on Your Feet” and “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” reflected the perfect marriage of creative lyrics, high-octane rhythms and spirited vocals. The song “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” in March was named to the National Recording Registry, an exclusive group of sound recordings selected for preservation because of their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to the nation’s audio heritage.

The Estefans were both named BMI’s “Songwriter of the Year” and have garnered 26 Grammy Awards between them. Their life story and music were showcased in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical “On Your Feet!,” which they executive produced. In addition to their musical talents, they are also successful entrepreneurs, philanthropists and humanitarians. The Estefans have received numerous awards, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

About Gloria Estefan Gloria Estefan is one of the most successful crossover artists in Latin music history. She is a seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and author of two New York Times best-selling children’s books. She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and achieved 38 #1 hits across the Billboard charts. Her many achievements are a testament to her popularity: an Academy Award-nominated recording, “Music of My Heart”; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; Spain’s Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts; and a National Artistic Achievement Award from the U.S. Congress, among others. She is scheduled to release a new album the first quarter of 2019.

About Emilio Estefan A 19-time Grammy Award winner, Emilio Estefan is a musician, songwriter, record and television producer, best-selling author, filmmaker and cultural ambassador. He has shaped and directed the careers of many musical talents, including Shakira, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Jon Secada, Jennifer López and many others. He was one of the founding leaders of the Latin Grammy Awards, inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame and named the first “Person of the Year” by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.  Estefan was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him with its lifetime achievement award.  He was selected as the second vice chair to the Commission for the National Museum of the American Latino by President Barack Obama.  President George W. Bush also appointed him as a member of the President’s Committee of the Arts and Humanities. 

About the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honors living musical artists whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with George and Ira Gershwin, by promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding; entertaining and informing audiences; and inspiring new generations of musicians.

In making the selection for the prize, the Librarian of Congress consulted leading members of the music and entertainment communities, as well as curators from the Library’s Music Division, American Folklife Center and Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division.

The Gershwin name is used in connection with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song courtesy of the families of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. GERSHWIN® is a registered trademark of Gershwin Enterprises.

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