Cuban talent shone again at the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards! The 27th edition of the awards, held this Thursday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, brought significant recognition to artists from the Island, emotional moments, and messages in support of a free Cuba.
Among the key figures of the evening was the Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, who won two Latin Grammys in the same edition, while saxophonists Yainer Horta and Joey Calveiro also celebrated their victory. They were joined by singer-songwriter Pancho Céspedes, who was honored with a lifetime achievement award for his musical career.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba wins two Latin Grammys
The acclaimed Cuban pianist was one of the major winners of the evening, taking home two gramophones in different categories, according to the official results of the Latin Recording Academy.
Rubalcaba won the award for Best Latin Jazz Album/Jazz for Gonzalo Plays Pino, recorded with the Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio.
He also received the award for Best Instrumental Album for A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole, a project he shares with Cuban saxophonists Yainer Horta and Joey Calveiro.
This latest work, which pays tribute to two music legends, the Cuban Benny Moré and the American Nat King Cole, includes eight performances that combine Caribbean rhythms and jazz, including Quizás, quizás, quizás, Unforgettable, and Smile.
The album had already been recognized in February of this year with a Grammy from the American Academy, so it now adds another international triumph.
Yainer Horta and Joey Calveiro celebrate their award with emotional messages
One of the most significant moments for Cubans came during the acceptance speech for Best Instrumental Album, when the winners shared their joy on stage.
Yainer Horta took the opportunity to express his wish to see a free Cuba, a message that brought the reality and aspirations of many Cubans to one of the most important musical ceremonies in the world.
For his part, Joey Calveiro, who was just 18 years old when he received the nomination, dedicated the recognition to the new generations and encouraged them to continue fighting for their dreams.
The young saxophonist also expressed his gratitude to Horta, whom he acknowledged as one of his mentors and a key figure in his musical development.
The Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences shared the official video of the acceptance speech by Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Joey Calveiro, and Yainer Horta.
Pancho Céspedes receives an award for his career and calls for freedom
Another Cuban who experienced an unforgettable day was Francisco "Pancho" Céspedes, who received the Award for Musical Excellence during the Special Awards ceremony, held before the main gala.
The singer-songwriter, known for his extensive artistic career and songs that have impacted several generations, delivered a speech filled with emotion, personal confessions, and his characteristic spontaneity.
"I am crying and I thought this didn't mean much to me," she admitted to those present as she received the recognition.
Céspedes also surprised the audience by revealing that weeks earlier he had experienced a very delicate incident in Mexico, where, in his own words, he was close to losing his life.
"A month ago, or a little more, I died in a theater back in Mexico," he recounted during his speech.
The artist closed his speech with a message that did not go unnoticed: “Keep singing, keep dancing, keep enjoying. And long live freedom.”
His recognition and words had already been noted by CiberCuba after the Special Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
Other Cubans who aspired to a Latin Grammy
The Cuban representation in this edition also included other renowned artists competing for the prestigious gramophones, although they did not prevail in their respective categories.
Among them were Omara Portuondo, Leoni Torres, Dayhan Díaz, Alex Cuba, Yeisy Rojas, and composer Tania León, names that were part of the Cuban nominations for the Latin Grammy 2026.
For Gonzalo Rubalcaba, the night held an additional special significance: with these two new honors, the pianist raises his Latin Grammy count to five, following his previous victories for Supernova (2002), Solo (2006), and Live in Marciac, alongside Aymée Nuviola (2022).
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