Ana Gabriel was one of many artists who performed in honor of Willie Nelson when he received the Gershwin Prize for song in Washington DC last November.
Ana Gabriel
Ana Gabriel, born Maria Guadalupe Araujo Yong, is a Mexican singer and songwriter from Guamuchil, Mexico. Throughout her long and prestigious career, Gabriel has released more than 30 Albums in different genres including Latin pop, ranchero and banda, and sold more than 35 million copies worldwide. Gabriel has released twenty studio albums, three live albums, and 15 compilation albums. Three Gabriel albums reached No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart, and seven singles reached No. 1 on the Billboard Latin Songs chart, including “Ay Amor,” “Es Demasiado Tarde,” and “Quién Como Tú.” Her work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award nomination, four Latin Grammy Award nominations, 13 Lo Nuestro Awards, as well as awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Her first big opportunity with a multinational record company came on July 4, 1984, when she signed with Sony Music (then CBS). Her sultry, sensual and raspy voice was what distinguished her unique style among her peers. In 1984 her first studio album Un Estilo was released, and from then on, Gabriel has released almost an album per year including three live recordings.
A versatile singer, Gabriel has showcased her talent as an interpreter of many different musical styles, from ballad to lambada, mariachi and pop music. She has also honed her skills as a songwriter and producer in the vast majority of her records. A unique blend of styles and genres is reflected in many of her songs, and her lyrics are usually described as strong, powerful and filled with emotion. Gabriel has scored many number one hits in her career, but she has also sung in duets alongside renowned names such as Vicente Fernández, José Feliciano, and Placido Domingo, among many others. This year, the Hispanic Heritage Award Committee is honoring Ana Gabriel with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her musical trajectory and her invaluable contributions to the arts community.
