Latin music tastemaker anticipates his moment

Back in 2000, Shakira belly-danced her way into the mainstreamwhen she appeared on the first-ever Latin Grammys telecast. A yearearlier, Ricky Martin shed his Menudo-mite image after he shook hisbon-bons into international consciousness on the regular GrammyAwards.

Though they remain an imperfect process, fraught with politics andother non-artistic considerations, the Grammys nonetheless haveprovided an important springboard for Latin talent. And now, poisedin the wings, waiting for his breakout moment, is Sergio George.

George, who leads this year's Latin Grammy contenders with sixnominations, stands as one of Latin music's most importanttastemakers. With production …