The Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin Jazz Album of the Year was an honor that was presented annually at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, a ceremony which honors "the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data that shapes Billboard's weekly charts". Latin jazz is a form of jazz music which incorporates various sounds from Latin America.
The accolade for Latin Jazz Album of the Year was first presented at the inaugural Billboard Latin Music Awards in 1994 to Uruguayan musician Roberto Perera's Dreams & Desires (1992). From 1994 to 1998, only winners were announced at the conferences. Nominees were first presented in 1999 after Billboard began the Latin Music Awards on Telemundo. Cuban musician Arturo Sandoval is the most awarded artist with five wins. His records, Danzón (Dance On) (1994) and Hot House (1998), are both winners of the category, and also received the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album. Latin Soul by Poncho Sanchez is the only record to have been nominated more than once. It was nominated in 2000 and won the award in 2001. Chucho Valdés holds the record for the most nominations without a win, with four. The accolade was last presented in 2008 and discontinued a year later.
Recipients
Year Winner(s) Work Nominees Ref. 1994Dreams & Desires 1995Danzón (Dance On) 1996Arturo Sandoval & The Latin Train 1997 and La India with the Count Basie OrchestraJazzin' 1998Passion Dance 1999Hot House Chucho Valdés — Bele Bele en la Habana David Sánchez — Obsesión Poncho Sanchez — Afro-Cuban Fantasy2000 Gonzalo Rubalcaba — Inner Voyage Poncho Sanchez — Latin Soul Chucho Valdés — Briyumba Palo Congo 2001Latin Soul Marc Ribot — ¡Muy Divertido! Poncho Sanchez — Soul of the Conga Chucho Valdés — Live at the Village Vanguard 2002 Latin Spirits Various artists — Calle 54 Los Hombres Calientes — Vol. 3: New Congo Square Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio — Supernova 2003Shadow of the Cat Michel Camilo — Triangulo Arturo Sandoval — My Passion for the Piano Chucho Valdés — Fantasia Cubana 2004Trumpet Evolution Los Hombres Calientes — Vol. 4: Vodou Dance Eddie Palmieri — Ritmo Caliente Poncho Sanchez — Out of Sight 2005Cositas Buenas Marta Gómez — Cantos de Agua Dulce Charlie Haden — Land of the Sun Néstor Torres — Sin Palabras (Without Words) 2006Sandoval: Live at the Blue Note Los Hombres Calientes — Vol. 5: Carnival Eddie Palmieri — Listen Here! Poncho Sanchez — Do It! 2007Around the City Gonzalo Rubalcaba — Solo Néstor Torres — Dances, Prayers, and Meditations For Peace 2008 Marc Antoine — Hi-Lo Split Poncho Sanchez — Raise Your Hand Ricardo Scales — I'm Here
See also Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album
References