50th Grammy Awards -
Plethora of Pretentious Divas
February 11, 2008 - It was the 50th Grammy Awards and the promise was to combine classic talent with today's big iTunes stars. Having heard early that Alicia Keys was set to perform with a dead Frank Sinatra.


 
     
 

I could almost feel the shakes coming on from memories of Celine Dion's laughable, cringe inducing duet with Elvis on the American Idol fiasco "Idol Gives Back." There is something that happens to stars who's skewed version of their own self importance flies out of control and no one is a better example of that than Alicia Keys. Didn't you grow up with a Celine, Beyonce or Alicia? Worse yet maybe you were imprisoned in music class with a little "Look at me" irritating clown in the making. To make it completely unbearable these little Divas like their adult versions actually had talent but I ask you this, why is it so hard to watch them? Last night I was cowering behind my 4 year old as Alicia talked to the dead president of the board, "Yeah, Frank," she coaxed. "You're freakin' embarrassing yourself" I yelled causing my four year old to caution "Dad, that's a bad word, look, she's really pretty." Maybe I was taking myself a little too seriously?

Why didn't Keys management warn her that maybe the exploitation of a dead celebrity would technically allow "old blue eyes" to haunt her for eternity. I'm sure that's a rule somewhere or will be after last night's performance.

Also in the cringe hall of fame, Beyonce's derivitive Janet Jackcson cabaret intro to Tina Turner's tribute was like bad carrot-top kareoke but all was good once Turner took to the stage. Sure, Tina's voice is not what it used to be but she's earned her props.

Poor Dave Koz was part of the awkward Keely Smith tribute. Smith performed at the very first Grammy telecast and was paired up with every mother's nightmare, Kid Rock who asked the 75-year-old singer what she wanted to do, not once but twice Smith said, "Any thing you want me to do."…awkward! Koz as usual sounding fantastic and was a shining light at the awards.

Also props to Foo Fighters for their outdoors primal, riveting performance with "My Grammy Moment" winner Ann Marie Calhoun and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin serving as conductor. It's rare to hear a performance that actually makes you want to buy an album. That was certainly one of those.

Maybe someone will corral Alicia and Beyonce in a little room today and force the divas to actually watch their performance with honest eyes. I know, know, there's a better chance of Barack Obama winning a Grammy right? hey wait! - by John Beaudin

 
  
   

Late Great Michael Brecker Wins 2 Grammy's
February 10 2008 - It was another reminder tonight of just how much Michael Brecker is missed. The late saxophonist picked up two Grammy Awards, 'Best Jazz Instrumental Solo' for his tune "Anagram" and the album it's from "Pilgrimage" won 'Best Jazz Instrumental Album.'

  

 
  
'Brecker died from complications of leukemia on January 13, 2007. Other Jazz Grammy's went to Herbie Hancock winning 'Best Contemporary Jazz Album' for "River: The Joni Letters," the star pianist's album also won the surprise "Album of the Year." Smooth Jazz mainstay Patti Austin picked up 'Best Jazz Vocal Album' for "Avant Gershwin." Also congratulations to Terence Blanchard winning 'Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album' with "A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina)." The 'Best Latin Jazz Album' was "Funk Tango" by Paquito D'Rivera Quintet. New Age album went to Paul Winter Consort picked up New Age album. - by John Beaudin
Big Night for Dave Koz and Smooth Jazz Fans at Grammys
February 9, 2008 - Smooth Jazz fans get a treat for this year's Grammy telecast when superstar saxophonist Dave Koz performs for the first time ever during the 3 hour live telecast. Koz will be performing with rapper Kid Rock. Another first for the Grammys will be the opportunity to watch the distribution of awards for the non televised categories, which include the best Pop Instrumental Album. Dave has received a nomination in that category for his latest release "At the Movies" as well as in the Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Over The Rainbow." Other smooth jazz artists who have receive nominations are Chris Botti for "Ítalia," Kirk Whalum for "Roundtrip" and Spyro Gyra for "Good to Go-Go" all in the Pop Instrumental category. In the Contemporary Jazz category, nominees include Patti Austin for "Avant Gershwin," Jeff Lorber for "He Had a Hat" and Brian Bromberg for "Downright Uptight". Saxophonist Michael Brecker also receives a posthumous nomination for final album "Pilgrimage." Congratulations to all the artists who have received nominations. Don't miss Dave Koz's live performance on the Grammys on Sunday February 10, 2008 at 8pm on CBS. You may watch the non televised portions of the ceremony by going to www.grammy.com between 1:00pm and 3:30pm PST time on Sunday. - by Joy Hall
Smooth Jazz Nominees for the next 50th edition of the Grammy Awards
December 12, 2007 - Every year the US record industry holds the Grammy Awards, which are regarded as the most famous music trophies in North America. For the 50th edition, nominees were designated few days ago (December 6th). The awards ceremony will take take place on February 10, 2008.

Various smooth jazz giants are among the happy few.

Keyboard player Jeff Lorber was nominated "in the best contemporary jazz album" category for his latest release "He Had A Hat". Were also designated other famous contenders such as bassist Brian Bromberg ("Downright Upright") and stellar pianist Herbie Hancock ("River: The Joni Letters").

Sax player Dave Koz was nominated twice in the "best pop instrumental album category" (for his latest work, "At the Movies", a collection of movie themes orchestrated by Koz and his guests ( India.Arie, Anita Baker, Chris Botti, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Donna Summer and Vanessa Williams) and in the "best pop instrumental performance category" for the famous movie theme "Over the Rainbow". In both categories famous band Spyro Gyra was also designated for its album "Good to Go-Go" and the track "Simple Pleasures". Sax player Kirk Whalum ("Roundtrip") and trumpeter Chris Botti ("Italia") complete the nominees for the "best pop instrumental album category".

Vocalist Randy Crawford and star pianist Joe Sample got a nomination in the "traditional R&B performance" category with their track "All Night Long" drawn from their latest release "So Good".

Best-selling vocalist Michael Buble was nominated in the "traditional pop vocal" category for his latest album "Call Me Irresponsible". He will face former rap queen and new jazz diva Queen Latifah and her "Trav'lin' Light".

Giant sax player Michael Brecker has already won 13 Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, he will not take part to the 50th edition, as he died last January. He was nominated in two categories. "the best jazz instrumental solo" and "the best jazz instrumental album" for his last release "Pilgrimage".

To know more on the other Grammy nominees, go to www.grammy.com By Akbar Nour, Smooth Jazz Now's Contributing Editor

Smooth Jazz Nominees at the Grammys
December 8, 2004 - Looks like the sun won't set any time soon on Norah Jones. The singer was nominated for five Grammys yesterday including nods for Pop Vocal Album and Female Pop Vocal for her second CD "Feels Like Home." The late Ray Charles was another multiple nominee with seven (his album had 10 nominations) and the biggest artist heard on Smooth Jazz radio was Alicia Keys with eight nominations. Supergroup Fourplay's latest album "Journey" has a chance at Top Contemporary Jazz Album plus Queen Latifah, Al Jarreau and Jamie Cullum were all mentioned for Jazz Vocal Album. Other nominees associated with Smooth Jazz include Anita Baker and Eric Clapton with two each and single nominees include Russ Freeman, Jason Miles, Herb Alpert, Boney James and Dave Koz. Overall Producer/rapper Kanye West was the star of the day with ten nominations. The 47th annual Grammy Awards will be handed out on February 13 on CBS. See the full list here.

Alicia Keys 8 Nominations
- Album Of The Year - "The Diary of Alicia Keys"
- Song Of The Year - "If I Ain't Got You" from "The Diary Of Alicia   Keys"
- Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - "If I Ain't Got You" from   "The Diary Of   Alicia Keys"
- Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group - "Diary" featuring   Tony! Toni! Toné!   from "The Diary Of Alicia Keys"
- Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group - "My Boo" with Usher from   "Confessions Special Edition"
- Best R&B Song - "My Boo" songwriters - Jermaine Dupri, Alicia Keys, Usher   Raymond, Manuel Seal & Adonis Shropshire, songwriters - from "Confessions   Special Edition"
- Best R&B Song - You Don't Know My Name - songwriters Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly   & Kanye West, songwriters from "The Diary Of Alicia Keys"
- Best R&B Album - "The Diary of Alicia Keys"

Ray Charles 7 Nominations (his album had 10 nominations)
- Record of the Year - "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones from his album   "Genius Loves Company"
- Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones from   his album "Genius Loves Company"
- Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word   with Elton John from "Genius Loves Company"
- Album Of The Year - "Genius Loves Company"
- Best Pop Vocal Album - "Genius Loves Company"
- Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "Sinner's Prayer" with B.B. King from   "Genius Loves Company"
- Best Gospel Performance - Heaven Help Us AllRay Charles & Gladys KnightTrack from: Genius Loves Company

Norah Jones 5 Nominations
- Record of the Year - "Here We Go Again" with Ray Charles from his album   "Genius Loves Company"
- Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - "Sunrise" from "Feels Like Home"
- Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals -"Here We Go Again" with Ray Charles   from his album "Genius Loves Company"
- Best Pop Vocal Album - "Feels Like Home"
- Best Country Collaboration With Vocals - "Creepin' In" with Dolly Parton from   "Feels Like Home"

Eric Clapton 2 Nominations
- Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - "Something" with Paul McCartney from   "Concert For George"
- Best Traditional Blues Album - "Me and Mr. Johnson"

Anita Baker 2 Nominations
- Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "You're My Everything" from "My   Everything"
- Best R&B Album - "My Everything"

Seal 1 Nomination
- Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - "Loves Devine" from Seal IV

Stevie Wonder 1 Nomination
- Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - "Moon River" with Take 6 from "Ultimate   Mancini"

Herb Alpert 1 Nomination
- Best Pop Instrumental Performance - "Chasing Shadows" with Russ Freeman,   James Genus, Gene Lake and Jason Miles from "Maximum Grooves: Coast To   Coast" (Various Artists)

Russ Freeman 1 Nomination
- Best Pop Instrumental Performance - "Chasing Shadows" with Herb Alpert,   James Genus, Gene Lake and Jason Miles from "Maximum Grooves: Coast To   Coast" (Various Artists)

 

Jason Miles 1 Nomination
- Best Pop Instrumental Performance - "Chasing Shadows" with Herb Alpert, Russ Freeman, James Genus and Gene Lake from "Maximum Grooves: Coast To   Coast" (Various Artists)

George Benson 1 Nomination
- Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - "Take You Out" from "Irreplaceable"

Bruce Hornsby 1 Nomination
- Best Pop Instrumental Performance - "Song F" from "Halcyon Days"

Boney James 1 Nomination
- Best Pop Instrumental Album - "Pure"

Dave Koz 1 Nomination
- Best Pop Instrumental Album - "Saxophonic"

Harry Connick Jr, 1 Nomination
- Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - "Only You"

Rod Stewart 1 Nomination
- Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - "Stardust...The Great American Songbook   Volume III"

Earth Wind and Fire 1 Nomination
- Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - "Show Me The Way"   featuring Raphael Saadiq

Will Ackerman 1 Nomination
- Best New Age Album - "Returning"

David Arkenstone 1 Nomination
- Best New Age Album - "Atlantis"

Peter Kater 1 Nomination
- Best New Age Album - "Piano"

Fourplay 1 Nomination
- Best Contemporary Jazz Album - "Journey"

Don Grusin 1 Nomination
- Best Contemporary Jazz Album - "The Hang"

Roy Hargrove 1 Nomination
- Best Contemporary Jazz Album - "Strength" (The RH Factor)

Jamie Cullum 1 Nomination
- Best Jazz Vocal Album - "Twentysomething"

Al Jarreau 1 Nomination
- Best Jazz Vocal Album - "Accentuate The Positive"

Queen Latifah 1 Nomination
- Best Jazz Vocal Album - - The Dana Owens Album

Herbie Hancock 1 Nomination
- Best Jazz Instrumental Solo - "Speak Like A Child" from "With All My Heart" (Harvey Mason)
Sting To Perform At Grammy's
January 22, 2004 - Sting will be performing at this year's Grammy Awards on February 8 on CBS. The updated Grammy list of performers was released yesterday and it also inlcudes Sean Paul, Martina McBride and Black Eyed Peas. Presenters include Norah Jones, John Mayer, Pharrell Williams, plus actors Sean Astin and Amber Tamblyn. It was earlier reported that Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and the White Stripes will also make it onstage. Outkast will honor George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire and Robert Randolph & the Family Band in a special segment dedicated to Funk. Four separate acts tied for most nominations, each with six, Beyonce, Jay-Z, OutKast and Pharrell Williams.

Grammy Hall of Fame Honors Beatles, Joni Mitchell
January 16, 2004 - The Grammys plan to honor some very well known names this year for their Hall of Fame. The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, Joni Mitchell and Billy Joel are just a few names mentioned for qualitative or historical significance in music history. Thirty three songs will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year including "Let It Be" by The Beatles, "All I Have To Do Is Dream" by the Everly Brothers, "The Sounds of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel, "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon, "Just The Way You Are" by Billy Joel and "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. The albums to be honored include Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark," Led Zeppelin's self-titled album and "Saturday Night Fever" featuring the Bee Gees. The album or songs in question must be at least twenty five years old to be in the Grammy Hall of Fame.


Grammy's Turns into Ray Charles Love Fest
February 14, 2004 - The late great Ray Charles cleaned up at the Grammy's this year with 8 wins. His duets album "Genius Loves Company" won many of the top prizes including Album of the Year and best Pop Album. "Here We Go Again" his duet with Norah Jones won Record of the Year and best Pop Collaboration. Jones told the crowd working with Charles "shows how wonderful music can be." Other acts frequently played on Smooth Jazz radio also faired well including Alicia Keys who won 4, Rod Stewart who picked up his first Grammy for his latest standards CD "Stardust" and Annie Lennox for the Lord of the Rings song "Into the West." In the Jazz categories Bill Frisell's "Unspeakable" album was top Contemporary Jazz Album and Herbie Hancock won a trophy for Jazz Instrumental Solo for the tune "Speak like a Child." Check our full listing of winners including highlighted Smooth Jazz acts. Interestingly, the Grammy's had their lowest ratings since 1995. Ratings for the C-B-S awards show were down 28 per cent from last year, with fewer than 19 (m) million people tuning in. "Desperate Housewives,'' was the most watched show Sunday night with an estimated audience of more than 22 million.

Winners who are played on Smooth Jazz Radio

Ray Charles (8)
- Album of the Year: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and Various Artists.
- Record Of The Year: Here We Go Again, Ray Charles And Norah Jones.
- Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): Over the Rainbow, Victor Vanacore, arranger (Ray Charles & Johnny Mathis), from Genius Loves Company.
- Best Engineered Album, non-classical: Genius Loves Company.
- Best Surround Sound Album: Genius Loves Company.
- Gospel Performance: Heaven Help Us All, Ray Charles and Gladys Knight.
- Pop Vocal Album: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and Various Artists.
- Pop Collaboration With Vocals: Here We Go Again, Ray Charles and Norah Jones.

Alicia Keys (4)
- R&B Album: The Diary Of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys.
- Female R&B Vocal Performance: If I Ain't Got You, Alicia Keys.
- R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: My Boo, Usher and Alicia Keys.
- R&B Song: You Don't Know My Name, Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly and Kanye West (Alicia Keys).



Norah Jones (2)
- Record Of The Year: Here We Go Again, Ray Charles And Norah Jones.
- Female Pop Vocal Performance: Sunrise, Norah Jones.

 

Annie Lennox
- Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Into the West, Annie Lennox, Howard Shore and Fran Walsh, songwriters, track from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Rod Stewart
- Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Stardust ... The Great American Songbook Volume III, Rod Stewart.

Etta James
Traditional Blues Album: Blues to the Bone, Etta James.

Will Ackerman
New Age Album: Returning, Will Ackerman.

Bill Frisell
Contemporary Jazz Album: Unspeakable, Bill Frisell.

Nancy Wilson
Jazz Vocal Album: RSVP (Rare Songs, Very Personal), Nancy Wilson.

Herbie Hancock
Jazz Instrumental Solo: Speak Like a Child, Herbie Hancock.


Grammy Nominations
December 4, 2003 - Luther Vandross picked up five Grammy nominations today for the upcoming 46th annual ceremony. Vandross did not pick up the most nods but he did top the list of artist played on Smooth Jazz radio. Four separate acts tied for most nominations, each with six, Beyonce, Jay-Z, OutKast and Pharrell Williams. Joining Vandross with five nominations were Missy Elliott, Eminem, Evanescence, 50 Cent, Chad Hugo, Ricky Skaggs, Justin Timberlake, and the late Warren Zevon. Canadian nominees included Nickelback, Sarah McLachlan and Avril Lavigne. Lavigne and McLachlan received nods for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
The Grammy Awards will be held February 8th in Los Angeles.
Here are the nominations for artists associated with Smooth Jazz Radio

Tony Bennett & k.d. lang - Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - La Vie En Rose
Tony Bennett & k.d. lang - Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - A Wonderful World

Jim Brickman - Best Pop Instrumental Album - Peace

Stanley Clarke - Featuring Glenn Lewis & Amel Larrieux - Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - Where Is The Love

Dido - Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - White Flag

Eagles - Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal - Hole In The World

Earth, Wind & Fire - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - Hold Me

Aretha Franklin - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - Wonderful
Aretha Franklin - Best R&B Album - So Damn Happy

Etta James - Best Contemporary Blues Album - Let's Roll

Norah Jones & Willie Nelson - Best Country Collaboration With Vocals - Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want To Get Over You)

R. Kelly - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance - Step In The Name Of Love
R. Kelly - Best Contemporary R&B Album - Chocolate Factory

Kenny G - Best Pop Instrumental Album - Wishes

Dave Koz - Best Pop Instrumental Performance - Honey-Dipped

Patti LaBelle - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - Way Up There

Annie Lennox - Best Pop Vocal Album - Bare

Michael McDonald - Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Michael McDonald - Best Pop Vocal Album - Motown

Brian McKnight - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance - Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

Sarah McLachlan - Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - Fallen

Pat Metheny - Best New Age Album - One Quiet Night

Bette Midler - Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary Clooney Songbook

Aaron Neville - Best Jazz Vocal Album - Nature Boy - The Standards Album
Aaron Neville - Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album - Believe

Bonnie Raitt - Best Female Rock Vocal Performance - Time Of Our Lives

David Sanborn - Best Contemporary Jazz Album - Timeagain

Rod Stewart - Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - As Time Goes By...The Great American Songbook: Volume II

Sting - Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - Send Your Love
Sting - Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - Whenever I Say Your Name - with Mary J. BLige

James Taylor & Alison Krauss - Best Country Collaboration With Vocals - How's The World Treating You

Luther Vandross with Richard Marx - Song Of The Year - Dance With My Father
Luther Vandross - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance - Dance With My Father
Luther Vandross & Beyoncé - Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - The Closer I Get To You
Luther Vandross with Richard Marx - Best R&B Song - Dance With My Father
Luther Vandross - Best R&B Album - Dance With My Father

Kirk Whalum - Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album - The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter II

George Winston - Best Pop Instrumental Album - Night Divides The Day -The Music Of The Doors

Yellowjackets - Best Contemporary Jazz Album - Time Squared

Beyonce'/ Luther Vandross Big Winners at the Grammys
February 8, 2004 - It was Beyonce's night at the Grammys. The R&B princess won five trophies including best female R&B Vocal Performance and R&B song. Luther Vandross (left) who's still recovering from a stroke suffered last year couldn't attend the ceremonies but won four Grammys. Vandross did appear though via a taped video message where the singer actually sang a bar from one of his songs. Vandross was the top Smooth Jazz artist of the night. Pat Metheny interestingly won for New Age album for "One Quiet Night"- It's a strange category for an artist who's not too crazy about the tag. Check out all the winners below.

Artist's associated with Smooth Jazz

Luther Vandross (4)
Song Of The Year - Dance With My Father Richard Marx & Luther Vandross, songwriters
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance - Dance With My Father Luther Vandross
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - The Closer I Get To You - Beyoncé & Luther Vandross
Best R&B Album - Dance With My Father - Luther Vandross

 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - Beautiful - Christina Aguilera
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - Whenever I Say Your Name - Sting & Mary J. Blige
Best Pop Instrumental Album - Mambo Sinuendo - Ry Cooder & Manuel Galbán
 Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - A Wonderful World Tony Bennett & k.d. lang
Best Rock Instrumental Performance - Plan B - Jeff Beck
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - Wonderful - Aretha Franklin
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals - How's The World Treating You - James Taylor & Alison Krauss
Best New Age Album - One Quiet Night - Pat Metheny
Best Contemporary Jazz Album - 34th N Lex - Randy Brecker
Best Jazz Vocal Album - A Little Moonlight - Dianne Reeves
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo - Matrix - Chick Corea, soloist

Wayne Shorter (2)
Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group - Alegría - Wayne Shorter
Best Instrumental Composition - Sacajawea - Wayne Shorter, composer

Michael Brecker (2)
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album - Wide Angles - Michael Brecker Quindectet
Best Instrumental Arrangement - Timbuktu - Michael Brecker & Gil Goldstein, arrangers

Best Latin Jazz Album - Live At The Blue Note - Michel Camilo With Charles Flores & Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez
Best Contemporary Blues Album - Let's Roll Etta James