Berklee Honors Humberto Ramirez with Master of Latin Music Award
Berklee alumnus Humberto Ramirez BM ’84 received a Master of Latin Music Award for his achievements as an artist, educator, and mentor.
Image by Colgan Johnson
Berklee honored alumnus Humberto Ramirez BM ’84 with a Master of Latin Music Award on Wednesday, April 1, recognizing a lifetime of artistic achievement and dedication to mentoring future generations. The award was presented following a performance at the Berklee Performance Center, where Ramirez joined percussionist Eguie Castrillo and the Berklee All-Stars Big Band for a tribute to pianist and bandleader Eddie Palmieri, one of Ramirez’s mentors and personal idols.
A visionary trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer, and bandleader, Ramirez has been a leading voice in Latin jazz and contemporary tropical music for more than four decades. He has recorded dozens of albums, collaborated with artists such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Paquito D’Rivera, and Marc Anthony, and performed at the White House for presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
A Grammy winner with 18 platinum and gold records and four Visionary Awards, Ramirez has also played a key role in bringing Latin and Caribbean musical traditions—particularly those of his native Puerto Rico—to a global audience. Beyond his work as a performer and recording artist, Ramirez has dedicated himself to education and mentorship, investing time in developing and uplifting musicians.
The Master of Latin Music Award honors musicians who embody the values of Berklee’s Latin music programs, which explore a wide range of traditions, including Brazilian, Caribbean, and Afro-Cuban styles, while emphasizing both performance and cultural context. Since establishing the Master Musician Awards in 2013, Berklee has honored such luminaries as Wayne Shorter, Magos Herrera, Carlos Vives, José Mercé, Israel "Piraña" Suarez, T Bone Burnett, Gillian Welch, and others.
