Jazz and Beyond Grammy Mentions – Congratulations to All!

With soul, jazz, blues, orchestral and hip-hop winners, the 2019 Grammy Awards reflected a fantastic year for the music we love.

So many worthy winners! Here is a run-down of Qwest TV’s top 2019 Grammy moments.

Cécile McLorin Salvant – Best Jazz Vocal Album

It is the third time that Cécil McLorin Salvant has won an award in the same category at the Grammys. In 2016 she won with For One To Love then with Dreams and Daggers in 2018 and now 2019 has given her a third best jazz vocal album with The Window. Teaming up with Sullivan Fortner, the young American singer of French and Haitian descent clearly has an extra special quality. Her career keeps on going from strength to strength.

Childish Gambino – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Performance, Best Music Video

Last night saw quite the haul for Donald Glover who has all but taken the world by storm with his genre-loose and boundary-pushing alter-ego Childish Gambino. All though he wasn’t there to collect the awards, the respect he has garnered was palpable in the room for each announcement.

Wayne Shorter – Best Jazz Instrumental Album

To add to his many Grammy awards, Wayne Shorter picked up another one at the 61st Annual show for his triple orchestral album, Emanon. Along with the Wayne Shorter Quartet, the legendary saxophonist and composer gave a humble and inspired speech.

Steve Gadd – Contemporary Instrumental Album

Always the bridesmaid and never the bride – or so it has been for the legendary Steve Gadd at the Grammys. Previously, he had played on three Grammy-winning albums (By Al Jarreau, Eric Clapton and James Taylor). But now he has one of his own. The album Steve Gadd Band took home a well-deserved award on a night that also saw Questlove refer to Gadd as his hero.

Dafnis Prieto – Best Latin Jazz Album

Back to Sunset took home the award for Best Latin Jazz Album. It is the Cuban-American musician’s first time featuring a big band on an album, one which demonstrates an alliance between US jazz and Latin traditions. In doing so, he brings together varied influences and a clutch of New York-based musicians to produce a vibrant, addictive and melodic offering.

Terence Blanchard – Best Instrumental Composition

Spike Lee’s longtime collaborator and composer Terence Blanchard has won his 6th Grammy award for work on the film Blackkklansman. His piece “Blut Und Boden (Blood And Soil)” accompanies the character Ron on his mission to infiltrate the KKK. It is a good sign for the upcoming academy awards, where Blanchard has been nominated for the first time ever. Fingers crossed.

John Daversa – Best Improvised Jazz Solo, Best Large Jazz Ensemble, Best Arrangement (For Instrumental or A Cappella)

The jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger and big band leader was handsomely rewarded at the 2019 Grammys for his work on the compilation American Dreamers: Voice of Hope, Music of Freedom. It is a project that included over fifty musicians who came to the U.S. as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, shining a spotlight on the scheme after it was discontinued in 2017.