Maria Rita won two awards

Sanz, who has previously won seven Latin Grammys, took trophies for best song, best record, best album and best pop male album.

Maria Rita won best new artist and most popular Brazilian album.

The fifth annual ceremony, held in Los Angeles, was hosted by actor and comedian George Lopez.

Sanz was touring and was unable to attend the ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium.

Glitzy performances

Spanish singer David Bisbal kicked off the show with a dance number, before singing a romantic ballad duet with pop star Jessica Simpson - she in English, he in Spanish.

Songwriter Milton Nascimento walked away with the best Brazilian song award for A Festa, which had been nominated for record of the year.

Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes was given an award for his collaboration with flamenco singer Diego El Cigala in the traditional tropical album category for Lagrimas Negras.

And Mexican rock/hip-hop group Cafe Tacuba won best alternative music album for Cuatro Caminos.

The group also performed a collaboration with hard-rock band Incubus, in one of the highlights of the event.

Carlos Santana and Los Lonely Boys also performed on Wednesday night, offering up a rendition of the late Ritchie Valens' 1950s Spanish rock 'n' roll song La Bamba.

Santana was named as the Latin Grammy person of the year at a separate ceremony on Monday.

During her acceptance speech for her second honour, Maria Rita said: "When I was little I used to watch the Grammys with the family.

"We all knew how important it was to all the artists involved - I'm one of you now".

Rita is the daughter of the late singer Elis Regina.