The Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences announced the nominees for the 48 categories of the 11th annual Latin Grammy awards at a press conference held at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood. The most well received nominations were for the Argentine singer, guitarist and songwriter, Gustavo Cerati for Best Rock Album (Fuerza Natural), Best Rock Song ("Deja Vu") and Best Recording Package (Rock Instrument Bureau). At around the same time, the news from Buenos Aires was that the musician had been moved out of the intensive care unit of Clinica Fleni, but still remains in a coma. Cerati suffered a stroke after performing a concert in Caracas on 16 May, and his condition has been critical ever since. In the Best Rock Album category, Cerati is up against Bohemia Suburbana, Andres Calamaro, Chetes and Viniloversus. Also nominated for Best Rock Song are Chetes, Bengala, Banda de Turistas and Andres Calamaro. A Time For Love by the trumpeter, Arturo Sandoval, has also received three nominations for Best Instrumental Album, Best Engineered Album and Producer of the Year (Jorge Calandrelli and Gregg Field). The singer, Maria Bethania, receives nods for Record of the Year, Best Brazilian Song and Best Engineered Album for Tua. Cuarteto De Nos is nominated for Best Alternative Music Album for Bipolar, and Best Alternative Song and Best Short Form Music Video for "El Hijo de Hernández". Other artists up for gongs at the ceremony to be held on 11 November at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas include:
- Ruben Blades for Song of the Year ("Las Calles") and Best Singer/Songwriter Album (Cantares Del Subdesarrollo).
- Alex Cuba for Best New Artist and Best Male Pop Vocal Album (Alex Cuba).
- Concha Buika for Record of the Year ("Se Me Hizo Fácil") and Best Traditional Tropical Album (El Último Trago).
- Gilberto Gil for Best Brazilian Pop Album (Banda Dois) and Best Native Brazilian Roots Album (Fe Na Festa).
- Chocquibtown for Best Alternative Song ("De Donde Vengo Yo").
- Willie Colon for Best Tropical Song ("Estar Lejos").
- Eva Ayllon for Best Folk Album (Canta a Chabuca Granda).
- Ceu for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album (Vagarosa).
- Lalo Schifrin for Best Classical Contemporary Composition (Pampas).
- Poncho Sanchez for Best Latin Jazz Album (Psychedelic Blues).
