Spalding, Brecker, Corea Among Winners at Grammy Awards

News, Esperanza Spalding, Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band, Brian Lynch, Brian Lynch Big Band, Gary Clark Jr., Randy Brecker, Jacob Collier, Brad Mehldau, Angélique Kidjo

By DownBeat I Jan. 27, 2020

Bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding took home a Grammy in the “Best Jazz Vocal Album” category for *12 Little Spells*.
(Photo: Jacob Blikenstaff)

Singer/bassist Esperanza Spalding, trumpeter Randy Brecker and pianist Chick Corea were among the honorees at the 62nd Grammy Awards, held Jan. 26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Winners included:

Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Brad Mehldau, Finding Gabriel
Best Jazz Vocal Album: Esperanza Spalding, 12 Little Spells
Best Improvised Jazz Solo: Randy Brecker, “Sozinho”
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Brian Lynch Big Band, The Omni-American Book Club
Best Latin Jazz Album: Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band, Antidote
Best Contemporary Blues Album: Gary Clark Jr., This Land
Best World Music Album: Angelique Kidjo, Celia
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals: Jacob Collier featuring Jules Buckley, Take 6 & Metropole Orkest, “All Night Long”

Metaphorical clouds hung over the ceremony. Before the telecast, the world learned of basketball star Kobe Bryant’s death. He and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, along with seven others, perished in a morning helicopter crash about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Bryant’s legend was built as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA team that plays its home games in the Staples Center. The proceedings included numerous tributes to Bryant.

“We are standing here literally heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built,” Alicia Keys, the evening’s host, told the audience.

The telecast also included tributes to hip-hop star Nipsey Hussle, who was fatally shot in Los Angeles on March 31, 2019. His track “Racks In The Middle,” featuring Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy, was awarded the Grammy for Best Rap Performance. DJ Khaled’s track “Higher,” featuring Nipsey and John Legend, won for Best Rap/Sung Performance.

The ceremony’s In Memoriam segment concluded with a clip of Dr. John (1941–2019), followed by a performance by Trombone Shorty and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

In the days leading up to the ceremony, Recording Academy members addressed multiple controversies. Deborah Dugan, who had served as the academy’s president and chief executive officer, was placed on administrative leave Jan. 16, following claims of misconduct by a co-worker. Then on Jan. 21, Dugan filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

For a complete list of this year’s winners, visit the Recording Academy’s Grammy website. DB