Grammy Nominations

NARAS announced Grammy nominations this morning, Dec. 7, appropriately enough on Pearl Bailey Day, for recordings released during the eligibility year spanning Oct. 1, 2005, through Sept. 30, 2006. Highlights of particular interest to the smooth jazz and jazz communities follow.

Breakthrough artist embraced by smooth jazz, Corinne Bailey Rae's "Put Your Records On" (Capitol) is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.

Pop Instrumental Performance for solo, duo, group or collaborative performances: George Benson and Al Jarreau's "Mornin'" (Concord/Monster).

Best Pop Instrumental Album: "Gerald Albright "New Beginnings" (Peak); Larry Carlton "Fire Wire" (Bluebird/RCA Victor); Fourplay "X" (Bluebird/RCA Victor); Peter Frampton "Fingerprints" (A&M Records/New Door); Spyro Gyra "Wrapped In A Dream" (Heads Up International).

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: Lionel Richie "I Call It Love" (IDMG).

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: George Benson & Al Jarreau "Breezin'" (Concord/Monster).

Best Contemporary Jazz Album: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones "The Hidden Land" (Columbia); Groove Collective "People People Music Music" (Savoy Jazz Worldwide); Christian Scott "Rewind That" (Concord Jazz); Sex Mob "Sexotica" (Thirsty Ear); Mike Stern "Who Let The Cats Out?" (Heads Up International).

Best Jazz Vocal Album: Karrin Allyson "Footprints" (Concord Jazz); Roberta Gamberini "Easy To Love" (Groovin' High/Kindred Rhythm); Nancy King "Live At Jazz Standard With Fred Hersch" (Maxjazz); Diana Krall "From This Moment On" (Verve); Nancy Wilson "Turned To Blue" (MCG Jazz).

Best Jazz Instrumental Solo: Michael Brecker "Some Skunk Funk" (Telearc Jazz/BHM); Pacquito D'Rivera "Pac man" (Alma); Taylor Eigsti "Freedom Jazz Dance (Concord Jazz); Roy Haynes "Hippidy Hop (Drum Solo)" (Dreyfus Jazz); Branford Marsalis "Hope" (Marsalis Music/Rounder).

Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: Ornette Coleman "Sound Grammar" (Sound Grammar); Chick Corea "The Ultimate Adventure" (Stretch); Trio Beyond "Saudades: Jack DeJohnette, Larry Goldings & John Scofield" (ECM); Kenny Garrett "Beyond The Wall" (Nonesuch); Sonny Rollins "Sonny, Please" (Doxy).

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Randy Brecker With Michael Brecker, Jim Beard, Will Lee, Peter Erskine, Marcio Doctor & Vince Mendoza conducting The WDR Big Band Köln "Some Skunk Funk" (Telarc/BHM); Bob Brookmeyer, New Art Orchestra "Spirit Music" (Artist Share); Joe Lovano Ensemble "Streams Of Expression" (Blue Note); Mingus Big Band "Live In Tokyo At The Blue Note" (Sunnyside/Sue Mingus Music); The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra "Up From The Skies: Music Of Jim McNeely" (Planet Arts).

Best Latin Jazz Album: Ignacio Berroa "Codes" (Blue Note); Edsel Gomez "Cubist Music" (Zoho); The Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project "Simpático" (ArtistShare); Dafnis Prieto "Absolute Quintet" (Zoho); Diego Urcola, Edward Simon, Avishai Cohen, Antonio Sanchez & Pernell Saturnino "Viva (CAM).

Congratulations to Concord, which snares a total of 29 Grammy nominations.

By Carol Archer - radioandrecords.com

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