Dec 17, 2024 9:58 AM
Tabla Master Zakir Hussain, 73, Succumbs to Illness
Tabla master Ustad Zakir Hussain, one of India’s reigning cultural ambassadors and a revered figure worldwide…
Cynthia Erivo and Herbie Hancock perform “Fly Me To The Moon” during a Grammy Awards tribute to Quincy Jones on Feb. 2.
(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for the Recording Academy)The jazz and blues community may not have been center stage for the majority of the 67th annual Grammy Award presentations on the evening of Feb. 2, but plenty of artists in the improvised music and blues worlds were recognized for their achievements — earlier in the day, as they say — and a tribute to Quincy Jones served as a focal point and showcase for jazz.
Herbie Hancock playing “Killer Joe” to open the tribute to Jones, who passed away in November at the age of 91. Will Smith introduced it, of course, since Smith starred in The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, the hit TV show that brought Smith to prominence. Jones was the executive producer.
Cynthia Erivo, of movie Wicked fame, and Hancock performed an elegant “Fly Me To The Moon” in tribute to Jones’ work with Frank Sinatra. Their duet led into a big band version with an all-star band. She killed it!
Next up was Jacob Collier on piano and country artist Lainey Wilson on vocals doing a slamming version of the Louis Jordan classic “Let The Good Times Roll,” which was included on Jones’ 1995 album Q’s Jook Joint.
But Stevie Wonder, sitting next to Hancock playing “Bluesette” on chromatic harmonica, stole this writer’s heart. Two true geniuses, one piano bench.
Of course, the tribute featured one of Jones’ greatest achievements: “We Are The World,” a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritche for a star-studded production brought together by Jones that raised more than $10 million for aid to Africa in the 1980s. Call it schmaltzy, but also heartfelt.
Janelle Monae capped off the moment doing her best Michael Jackson, moon-walk and all. Good on her for trying.
Also of note: Hats off to Alicia Keyes, who, in accepting the the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, said, “This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices. We see it on this stage, talented hard-working people from different backgrounds, with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift. And the more voices, the more powerful the sound. When destructive forces try to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a Phoenix and, as you see tonight, music is the unstoppable language that connects us all.”
“Burn us down” was a thematic reference to the evening’s other mission, to raise funds for those who lost their homes in the Los Angeles fires in January. It was estimated that the broadcast helped raise more than $7 million for wildfire relief, making the show one part awards ceremony and equal part telethon.
The evening was topped off with a group of firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department announcing the Album Of The Year, which went to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. It truly was a moving display of diversity standing on the stage. Beautiful, Grammys.
Here’s a list of this year’s Grammy winners in jazz- and blues-related categories. (For a complete list of awardees, go to grammy.com.)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Winner!
Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé
Other Nominees
New Blue Sun, André 3000
Djesse Vol. 4, Jacob Collier
Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé
Short n’ Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter
Brat, Charli xcx
Hit Me Hard And Soft, Billie Eilish
The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, Chappell Roan
The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift
BEST NEW ARTIST
Winner!
Chappell Roan
Other Nominees
Khruangbin
Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii
Raye
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
BEST JAZZ PERFORMANCE
Winner!
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Me,” Samara Joy Featuring Sullivan Fortner
Other Nominees
“Walk With Me, Lord (SOUND | SPIRIT),” The Baylor Project
“Phoenix Reimagined (Live),” Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Randy Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts & John Scofield
“Juno,” Chick Corea & Béla Fleck
“Little Fears,” Dan Pugach Big Band Featuring Nicole Zuraitis & Troy Roberts
BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM
Winner!
A Joyful Holiday, Samara Joy
Other Nominees
Journey In Black, Christie Dashiell
Wildflowers Vol. 1, Kurt Elling & Sullivan Fortner
Milton + esperanza, Milton Nascimento & esperanza spalding
My Ideal, Catherine Russell & Sean Mason
BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Winner!
Remembrance, Chick Corea & Béla Fleck
Other Nominees
Owl Song, Ambrose Akinmusire featuring Bill Frisell & Herlin Riley
Beyond This Place, Kenny Barron Featuring Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Johnathan Blake, Immanuel Wilkins & Steve Nelson
Phoenix Reimagined (Live), Lakecia Benjamin
Solo Game, Sullivan Fortner
BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM
Winner!
Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence, Dan Pugach Big Band
Other Nominees
Returning To Forever, John Beasley & Frankfurt Radio Big Band
And So It Goes, The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Walk A Mile In My Shoe, Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band
Golden City, Miguel Zenón
BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
Winner!
Cubop Lives!, Zaccai Curtis
Other Nominees
Spain Forever Again, Michel Camilo & Tomatito
Collab, Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Time And Again, Eliane Elias
El Trio: Live in Italy, Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernández, John Beasley & José Gola
Cuba And Beyond, Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet
As I Travel, Donald Vega Featuring Lewis Nash, John Patitucci & Luisito Quintero
BEST ALTERNATIVE JAZZ ALBUM
Winner!
No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin, Meshell Ndegeocello
Other Nominees
Night Reign, Arooj Aftab
New Blue Sun, André 3000
Code Derivation, Robert Glasper
Foreverland, Keyon Harrold
BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
À Fleur De Peau, Cyrille Aimée
Visions, Norah Jones
Good Together, Lake Street Dive
Impossible Dream, Aaron Lazar
Christmas Wish, Gregory Porter
BEST CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Winner!
Plot Armor, Taylor Eigsti
Other Nominees
Rhapsody In Blue, Béla Fleck
Orchestras (Live), Bill Frisell Featuring Alexander Hanson, Brussels
Philharmonic, Rudy Royston & Thomas Morgan
Mark, Mark Guiliana
Speak To Me, Julian Lage
BEST AMERICAN ROOTS PERFORMANCE
Winner!
“Lighthouse,” Sierra Ferrell
Other Nominees
“Blame It On Eve,” Shemekia Copeland
“Nothing In Rambling,” The Fabulous Thunderbirds Featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’,” Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood
“The Ballad Of Sally Anne,” Rhiannon Giddens
BEST TRADITIOAL BLUES ALBUM
Winner!
Swingin’ Live at The Church in Tulsa, The Taj Mahal Sextet
Other Nominees
Hill Country Love, Cedric Burnside
Struck Down, The Fabulous Thunderbirds
One Guitar Woman, Sue Foley
Sam’s Place, Little Feat
BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM
Winner!
Mileage, Ruthie Foster
Other Nominees
Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, Joe Bonamassa
Blame It On Eve, Shemekia Copeland
Friendlytown, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour
The Fury, Antonio Vergara
BEST REGIONAL ROOTS MUSIC ALBUM
Winner!
Kuini, Kalani Pe’a
Other Nominees
25 Back To My Roots, Sean Ardoin And Kreole Rock And Soul
Live At The 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Big Chief
Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles Featuring J’Wan Boudreaux
Live At The 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Breed Brass Band Featuring Trombone Shorty
Stories From The Battlefield, The Rumble Featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.
BEST ROOTS GOSPEL ALBUM
Winner!
Church, Cory Henry
Other Nominees
The Gospel Sessions, Vol. 2, Authentic Unlimited
The Gospel According to Mark, Mark D. Conklin
Rhapsody, The Harmlem Gospel Travelers
Loving You, The Nelons
BEST MUSIC FILM
Winner!
American Symphony, Jon Batiste
Other Nominees
June, June Carter Cash
Kings From Queens, Run DMC
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, Steven Van Zandt
The Greatest Night in Pop, Various Artists
BEST ALBUM NOTES
Winner!
Centennial
Ricky Riccardi, album notes writer (King Oliver’s Creaole Jazz Band & Various Artists)
Other Nominees
The Carnegie Hall Concert
Lauren Du Graf, album notes writer (Alice Coltrane)
After Midnight
Tim Brooks, album notes writer (Ford Dabney’s Syncopated Orchestras)
John Culshaw — The Art Of The Producer — The Early Years 1948-55
Dominic Fyfe, album notes writer (John Culshaw)
SONtrack Original De La Película “Al Son De Beno”
Josh Kun, album notes writer (various artists)
BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION
Winner!
“Strands,” Pascal Le Boeuf, composer (Akropolis Reed Quintet, Pascal Le Boeuf & Christian Euman)
Other Nominees
“At Last,” Shelton G. Berg, composer (Shelly Berg)
“Communion,” Christopher Zuar, composer (Christopher Zuar Orchestra)
“I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time,” André 3000, Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau & Carlos Niño, composers (André 3000)
“Remembrance,” Chick Corea, composer (Chick Corea & Béla Fleck)
BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTAL OR A CAPPELLA
Winner!
“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Jacob Collier, Tori Kelly & John Legend, arrangers (Jacob Collier Featuring John Legend & Tori Kelly)
Other Nominees
“Baby Elephant Walk — Encore,” Michael League, arranger (Snarky Puppy)
“Rhapsody In Blue(Grass),” Béla Fleck & Ferde Grofé, arrangers (Béla Fleck Featuring Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz & Bryan Sutton)
“Rose Without The Thorns,” Erin Bentlage, Alexander Lloyd Blake, Scott Hoying, A.J. Sealy & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (Scott Hoying Featuring säje & Tonality)
“Silent Night,” Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (säje)
BEST ARRANGEMENT, INTRUMENTS OR VOCALS
Winner!
“Alma,” Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (säje Featuring Regina Carter)
Other Nominees
“Always Come Back,” Matt Jones, arranger (John Legend)
“b i g f e e l i n g s,” Willow, arranger (WILLOW)
“Last Surprise (From “Persona 5”),” Charlie Rosen & Jake Silverman, arrangers (The 8-Bit Big Band Featuring Jonah Nilsson & Button Masher)
“The Sound Of Silence,” Cody Fry, arranger (Cody Fry Featuring Sleeping At Last) DB
“Watching people like Max Roach or Elvin Jones and seeing how they utilize the whole drum kit in a very rhythmic and melodic way and how they stretched time — that was a huge inspiration to me,” Hussain said in DownBeat.
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