Alejandro Sanz to Receive Honorary Doctorate From Berklee College of Music

16-time Latin Grammy– and three-time Grammy Award–winner Alejandro Sanz To perform career-spanning concert backed by Berklee students

Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. Sanz, who has won a total of sixteen Latin Grammy Awards and three Grammy Awards, is being recognized for his achievements and influence in contemporary music and for his enduring contributions to international culture.

The President of the Berklee College of Music, Roger Brown, will present the degree to Sanz. Past honorary doctorate recipients include Duke Ellington, Chucho Valdes, Juan Luis Guerra, Paco de Lucia, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Sting, Gloria Estefan, and Willie Nelson. Following the ceremony, Sanz will perform a career-spanning concert backed by Berklee students.

“It is a great honor for me to receive this doctorate degree from one of the most prestigious music schools in the world. I will continue to work every day of my life to deserve this honor.” said Alejandro Sanz.

At the concert, a 40-piece Berklee student ensemble will pay tribute to Sanz’s musical legacy, with Sanz joining the students to perform select tunes. The concert is produced by bass professor Oscar Stagnaro with Matthew Nicholl, chair of contemporary writing and production, serving as musical director.

Earlier this year, Berklee students in a course taught by Grammy-winning producer/artist Javier Limon, Artistic Director of Berklee’s Mediterranean Music Institute, created viral video for Sanz’s hit “La Musica No Se Toca.” Filmed in Boston and at Berklee’s international campus in Valencia, Spain, the video features more than 60 students and alumni representing 20 nationalities.

“I am excited to honor Alejandro Sanz for being one of the most important Latin artists and composers in the world, as well as for his contributions to flamenco music,” said Javier Limon, Sanz’s longtime friend and collaborator. Limon is executive producer of the event.